City councilors have put the finishing touches on a law that tightens rules governing cell phone towers and windmills.
The measure, which was first proposed by Councilor Walter Thibodeau and grew out of an uproar over plans for a cell tower in South Attleboro, is expected to come up for a vote of the full council Tuesday.
Under provisions hammered out by the council and planning board, cell phone towers would be restricted to a height of 150 feet and must be located at least 200 feet from lot lines or a distance of 125 percent of the height of the tower, which ever is greater.
Under certain circumstances, towers could exceed 150 feet in height if approved by the zoning board of appeals, council President Frank Cook said.
The same provisions apply to energy producing windmills, except windmills are limited to a height of 50 feet to 100 feet, depending on zoning. Windmills would not be allowed in the central business district under the ordinance.
The new law would require that electromagnetic radiation emitted by cell phone towers would have to be measured at least every two years to ensure that emissions are within legal limits.
The planning board eliminated the 200-foot setback and inserted the 125 percent provision instead, but the council put the 200 feet back into the law and coupled it with the 125 percent.
Planners also said measurements for electromagnetic radiation every five years were sufficient, but councilors said more frequent measurements were needed to ensure that nearby residents are protected.
The law contains provisions that limit noise and the flickering shadows from windmills. Antennas for ham radio operators are exempted from the law.
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New tower rules ready
Source: The Sun Chronicle
Date: 11/28/2009
