Southampton Town’s planning board voted unanimously on Feb. 10 to accept a pre-submission application from Verizon Wireless for a 153-foot communications tower on Sag Harbor Village property directly adjacent to the Long Pond Greenbelt.
The vote came a week after the board had attacked the plan, not only for expanding uses on some of the most environmentally sensitive land on the East End, but also for dumping more Sag Village uses along the racially and economically diverse Bridgehampton-Sag Harbor Turnpike corridor.
“Let’s just cut to the chase, since we had a very robust discussion last time about the report,” said Southampton’s principal town planner, Anthony Trezza. He went on to sum up the changes that the board had requested before it would eventually vote on its approval.
“The board took a pretty strong position about this project,” Mr. Trezza said, finding “significant issues.”
Sag Harbor, he said, would be adding another unwelcome use in Southampton’s jurisdiction, largely to accommodate the village proper. This, he said, was in direct conflict with the town’s own initiatives to protect and preserve the natural environment. “The use would provide better service for the village of Sag Harbor at the expense of the town,” the planner said.
“A tower of 153 feet would be in direct conflict with the idea of environmental justice, as put forth by the state,” he added, citing the racially diverse community nearby. According to the federal Environmental Protection Agency website, “Environmental justice is the fair treatment and meaningful involvement of all people regardless of race, color, national origin, or income with respect to the development, implementation and enforcement of environmental laws, regulations, and policies.”
The tower would further degrade the environmentally sensitive area, which is “within 1000 feet of the New York State D.E.C.-designated tiger salamander habitat,” Mr. Trezza said. As such, approval would require even more environmental review and mitigation at the site. The tiger salamander, which breeds in the Long Pond Greenbelt, is listed by the state as an endangered species; as such, it is illegal to harm its critical habitat.
“You’ve captured our comments very well, Anthony,” said Jacqui Lofaro, chairwoman of the planning board.
Mr. Trezza also mentioned several “secondary” issues with the preliminary application. Planning board members had asked that Verizon address visual impacts of the tower; hire a radio frequency engineer to study any alleged gaps in service, and retain an environmental consultant to report on the impact on local flora and fauna. The utility would also would be required to name two alternatives to the location and two alternatives to the tower’s height.
Eric Helman, speaking for Verizon, read from a PowerPoint presentation in a monotone voice. “Verizon Wireless seeks exciting opportunities based on its coverage needs,” he read. Verizon “strives to provide wireless service to all demographics” and is a “public utility under the laws of New York State.” To keep up with demand, he said, “Verizon needs more infrastructure.”
One other thing: “Federal law prohibits municipalities from denying wireless communications applications based upon the geographic or physical areas that are to receive wireless service.”
Verizon, he promised, would address any environmental concerns.
Gloria Berk made a motion to accept the pre-submission report; Dennis Finnerty seconded it.
