February 7, 2018
New York

Tonawanda confronts a towering challenge

By Nancy A. Fischer | The Buffalo News | Published Tue, Feb 6, 2018 | buffalonews.com

The Town of Tonawanda updated its cell tower ordinance and wind turbine zoning laws after more than a year of work by the Planning Board.

Planning Board Chairman Kenneth Swanekamp said the challenge is that the technology is changing rapidly.

“Everyone wants that service, but they don’t want a cell tower in their backyard,” said Swanekamp. He said the law protects residential areas and encourages co-location.

The new code has provisions for micro-cell towers, which Swanekamp said can be mounted on telephone poles and street lights.

The wind turbine law allows turbines in industrial zones only and restricts the height. Large industrial turbines are not permitted.

“Other towns will be watching what our town is doing,” said Councilman Daniel Crangle.

URL to article:  https://www.wind-watch.org/news/2018/02/07/tonawanda-confronts-a-towering-challenge/