Will Consider Springs Tower
A 150-foot communications tower erected behind the Springs Firehouse on Fort Pond Boulevard, which spurred complaints by neighbors and other hamlet residents over aesthetics and safety, has prompted an appeal to the East Hampton Town Zoning Board of Appeals that seeks to overturn its building permit.
David Kelley, an attorney and resident of Talmage Farm Lane in Springs, submitted the appeal last week through his attorney, Anthony C. Pasca of Esseks, Hefter and Angel of Riverhead. Mr. Kelley has been a vocal representative of concerned neighbors, gathering information about the pole, and initiating discussions with the elected Springs Board of Fire Commissioners, which authorized its construction. The pole was erected without community discussion, and, neighbors said, without adequately proving the need for it.
Fire commissioners have said the antenna was needed to improve communications for the radios and pagers used by fire and ambulance volunteers, and that the tall pole is the only way to address that need.
The pole was constructed and is owned by a company called Elite Towers, which can rent space to up to five private cellular communications companies for interior antennas. According to the fire commissioners, Elite will pay the district $1,500 a month in rent, plus $3,000 a month for each cellular carrier that locates equipment in the pole.
Mr. Kelley asserts that the town Building Department improperly exempted the Fire District from review by the planning board and that the antenna does not comply with several applicable building and zoning regulations.
Even under the terms of an exemption, Mr. Kelley believes the district should have been required to conduct a New York State Environmental Quality Review Act study of potential environmental impacts.
Asked about the SEQRA requirement at a May 11 meeting with concerned community members, fire commissioners said the study would be undertaken.
Not only does the Z.B.A. appeal ask that the building permit be rescinded, but that the fire district be required to apply to the planning board for site plan approval and a special permit under the town code or to ask the planning board for an exemption pursuant to previous case law.