HomeMy WebLinkAbout20260860 Union Ave. & Gilbert Road Verizon Utility Poles-Modifcation NOD
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Tamie Ehinger, Chair
Rob DuBoff, Vice Chair
Karen Cavotta
Karen D’Andrea
Leslie DiCarlo
Jeff Pfeil
Geoff Wood
Alison Dockum, Alternate
Christina Abele, Alternate
CITY OF SARATOGA SPRINGS
D ESIGN R EVIEW B OARD
❖
City Hall - 474 Broadway
Saratoga Springs, New York 12866
Tel: 518-587-3550 x.2517
www.saratoga-springs.org
NOTICE OF DECISION
In the matter of the application
#20260860
Union Ave & Gilbert Rd Verizon Utility Poles
Union Ave & Gilbert Road
Saratoga Springs, New York 12866
involving Architectural review of multiple utility pole and wireless equipment upgrades within the right of way within the
Institutional Horse Track Related District, Institutional Education District and Rural Residential District within the City of
Saratoga Springs.
In accordance with 6 NYCRR Part 617, the Design Review Board classifies this request as a SEQR:
Type II action – exempt from further SEQR review
And, in accordance with the objectives, standards and guidelines contained in the Unified Development Ordinance
Article 240-13.9 Architectural Review Applicability and Approval Standards, the Design Review Board issues the
following decision on October 21, 2026:
Approve the plans as submitted or shown on the attached
Record of vote:
motion to approve made by T Ehinger, seconded by J. Pfeil passed 6-0
In favor: T Ehinger, K D’Andrea, L DiCarlo, R DuBoff, J. Pfeil, G Wood
Absent: K Cavotta
Note: this approval shall expire 18 months from the issuance date unless any necessary building permit has been issued and
actual work begun.
As a result of this decision, the applicant:
may proceed with the proposed project as approved
Please contact the Building Department to verify permit requirements.
Chair Received by Accounts
cc: Building Department
Accounts Dept.
Applicant/Agent
Node1
Node2
Node3
Node4
Node5
Node6
Node7
4G/5G Coverage: 2100 MHz, -85 dBm RSRP
Proposed New/Improved 4G/5G Coverage
Figure 1a – Proposed Saratoga Exit 14 DAS-to-Microcell Upgrade Project.
Expected 4G/5G Coverage and Performance Improvement Area
I-87
I-87 Exit 14
Subject to the 60-day FCC Shot Clock Timeframe Set Forth in 47 CFR §1.6003(c)(1)(i)
DESIGN REVIEW BOARD of the CITY OF SARATOGA SPRINGS
SARATOGA COUNTY,NEW YORK
In the Matter of the Application of
CELLCO PARTNERSHIP d/b/a Verizon Wireless
Premises:Utility Pole No.NM 21 -Along Union Ave.
Utility Pole No.NG 24 -Along Union Ave.
Utility Pole No.NM 33/VZ 14 -Along Union Ave.
Utility Pole No.NG 39/VZ 16 -Along Union Ave.
Utility Pole No.NG 51/VZ 29 -Along Union Ave.
Utility Pole No.NG 64 -Along Union Ave.
Utility Pole No.NG 32 ½-Along Gilbert Rd.
Saratoga Springs,New York 12866
STATEMENT OF INTENT and
APPLICATION FOR DESIGN REVIEW BOARD APPROVAL
Purpose and Need
CELLCO PARTNERSHIP d/b/a Verizon Wireless ("Verizon Wireless"or the
Applicant")proposes to upgrade the existing unmanned public utility/personal wireless service
facilities (each a "communications facility")at the above seven locations located along Union
Avenue and Gilbert Road.The application includes:the removal of the existing equipment and
replacement with new equipment;the removal and replacement of utility pole no.NM 33/VZ 14;
the removal and replacement of utility pole no.NG 39/VZ 16;and the removal and replacement
of utility pole no.NG 321/2.
The existing Outdoor Distributed Antenna System ('ODAS")system is collocated on
seven existing utility poles and was approved by the Design Review Board by decision dated
May 20,2016 (Application #201.6.041)[see TAB 1].The western end of the system is located at
utility pole no.NM 21 and is referred to as Node #1 which is in front of the Saratoga Race Course
see Zoning Drawings of Tectonic Engineering Consultants,Geologists &Land Surveyor,
D.P.C.("Tectonic Engineering")at TAB 61.Moving east along Union Avenue,antennas are
mounted on utility pole no.NG 24 (Node #2),utility pole no.NM 33 /VZ 14 (Node #3),and
utility pole no.NG 39 /VZ 16 (Node #4).The system crosses the Northway and resumes on
utility pole no.NM 51 /VZ 29 (Node #5),utility pole no.NG 64 (Node #6),and utility pole no.
NM 32 ½on Gilbert Avenue (Node #7).
NODE #1 -Existing Pole;New and Replacement Equipment
The Applicant proposes to install on an existing 38.7±foot tall utility pole no.NM 21
Node #1):(1)a replacement single,cylindrical antenna (approximately 24 in.tall x 1.4.6 in.in
diameter)mounted at the top of the pole at a proposed antenna tip height of 44.9±feet (current
tip height is 42.2±feet);(2)two additional 5G-only panel antennas (163/4 in.tall x 9.5 in.wide)to
be attached to the proposed antenna mount;(3)electric and telecommunications equipment on
the utility pole at a minimum approximate height of 8'above grade.All proposed equipment will be
painted brown as noted on Sheet C-2 and consistent with prior DRB approvals for similar projects.The
property is located in the right-of-way along Union Ave.,City of Saratoga Springs,Saratoga
County,New York in the institutional Horse Track Related (INST-HTR)zoning district and
additionally is located within the historic review and architectural review overlay districts
Zoning Drawings of Tectonic Engineering at TAB 6,sheet C-2].
NODE #2-Existing Pole;New and Replacement Equipment
The Applicant proposes to install on an existing 38.2±foot tall utility pole no.NC 24 (Node
2):(1)a replacement single,cylindrical antenna (approximately 24 in.tall x 14.6 in.in diameter)
mounted at the top of the pole at a proposed antenna tip height of 44.4±feet (current tip height is
40.6±feet);(2)two additional 5C-only panel antennas (1.6/4 in,tall x 9.5 in.wide)to be attached
to the proposed antenna mount;(3)electric and telecommunicatio ns equipment on the utility pole
at a minimum approximate height of 8'above grade.All proposed equipment will be painted brown
as noted on Sheet C-3 and consistent with prior DRB approvals for similar projects.The property is
located in the right-of-way along Union Ave.,City of Saratoga Springs,Saratoga County,New
York in the Institutional Horse Track Related (INST-HTR)zoning district and additionally is
located within the historic review and architectural review overlay districts [Zoning Drawings
of Tectonic Engineering at TAB 6,sheet C-3].
NODE #3 -Replacement Pole;New Equipment
The Applicant proposes to install on a 38.5±foot tall replacement utility pole no.NM 33/
VZ 14 (Node #3)(existing utility pole measures 32.0±feet in height):a single,cylindrical antenna
approximately 24"tall x 14.6"in diameter)mounted at the top of the pole at a proposed antenna
tip height of 42.0±feet along with the installation of electric and telecommunications equipment
on the utility pole at a minimum approximate height of 8'above grade.All proposed equipment will
be painted brown as noted on Sheet C-4 and consistent with prior DRB approvals for similar projects.The
property is located in the right-of-way along Union Ave.,City of Saratoga Springs,Saratoga
County,New York in the Institutional Horse Track Related (INST-HTR)zoning district and
additionally is located within the historic review and architectural review overlay districts
Zoning Drawings of Tectonic Engineering at TAB 6,sheet C-4].
NODE #4-Replacement Pole;New Equipment
The Applicant proposes to install on a 43.0±foot tall replacement utility pole no.NC
39/VZ 16 (Node #4)(existing utility pole measures 38.8±feet in height):a single,cylindrical
antenna (approximately 24"tall x 14.6"in diameter)mounted at the top of the pole at a proposed
antenna tip height of 46.5±feet along with the installation of electric and telecommunications
equipment on the utility pole at a minimum approximate height of 8'above grade.AllproposedequipmentwillbepaintedbrownasnotedonSheetC-5 and consistent with prior DRB approvals for similar
projects.The property is located in the right-of-way along Union Ave.,City of Saratoga Springs,
Saratoga County,New York in the Institutional Educational (INST-ED)zoning district and
additionally is located within the historic review and architectural review overlay districts
Zoning Drawings of Tectonic Engineering at TAB 6,sheet C-5].
NODE #5-Existing Pole;New Equipment
The Applicant proposes to install on an existing 44.1±foot tall utility pole no.NC 51/VZ
29 (Node #5):a single,cylindrical antenna (approximately 24"tall x 14.6"in diameter)mounted
at the top of the pole at a proposed antenna tip height of 47.6±feet along with the installation of
electric and telecommunications equipment on the utility pole at a minimum approximate height
of 8'above grade.All proposed equipment will be painted brown as noted on Sheet C-6 and consistent
with prior DRB approvals for similar projects.The property is located in the right-of-way along Union
Ave.,City of Saratoga Springs,Saratoga County,New York in the Rural Residential (RR)zoning
district and additionally is located within architectural review overlay district [Zoning Drawings
of Tectonic Engineering at TAB 6,sheet C-6].
NODE #6 -Existing Pole,New Equipment
The Applicant proposes to install on existing 37.3±foot tall utility pole no.NC 64 (Node
6):a single,cylindrical antenna (approximately 24"tall x 14.6"in diameter)mounted at the top
of the pole at a proposed antenna tip height of 40.9±feet along with the installation of electric and
telecommunications equipment on the utility pole at a minimum height of 8'above grade.All
proposed equipment will be painted brown as noted on Sheet C-7 and consistent with prior DRB approvals
for similar projects.The property is located in the right-of-way along Union Ave.,City of Saratoga
Springs,Saratoga County,New York in the Rural Residential (RR)zoning district and
additionally is located within architectural review overlay district [Zoning Drawings of Tectonic
Engineering at TAB 6,sheet C-7].
NODE #7-Replacement Pole,New Equipment
The Applicant proposes to install on a 38.5±foot tall replacement utility pole no.NC 32'/2
Node #7)(existing utility pole measures 33.4±feet in height):a single,cylindrical antenna
approximately 24"tall x 14.6"in diameter)mounted at the top of the pole at a proposed antenna
tip height of 42±feet along with the installation of electric and telecommunications equipment on
the utility pole at a minimum height of 8'above grade.All proposed equipment will be painted brown
as noted on Sheet C-8 and consistent with prior DRB approvals for similar projects.The propertyislocatedintheright-of-way along Gilbert Rd.,City of Saratoga Springs,Saratoga County,New
York in the Rural Residential (RR)zoning district [Zoning Drawings of Tectonic Engineering at
TAB 6,sheet C-8].
II.Summary
Upon completion,these upgrades will provide an improved 4G/5G coverage layeralongtheapproximately2-mile stretch of Union Avenue between Saratoga Race Course and Gilbert Rd.
In addition to Union Avenue,significant coverage reliability and network performance
improvements will extend across the I-87 Exit 14 interchange,vehicles traveling 1-87 near Exit 14,
0.4±miles along Gilbert Rd,and the homes along Gilbert Rd and Piping Rock Circle,asshownontheproposedcoveragemap.[Proposed Coverage Map at TAB 3].
Verizon Wireless is considered a public utility for land use purposes under New York
decisional law (Cellular Telephone Company v.Rosen.berg1,82 N.Y.2d 364 [1993]),and a provider of"
personal wireless services"under the federal Telecommunication s Act of 1996 (the "TCA").
Verizon Wireless'equipment will be in operation twenty-four (24)hours a day,seven (7)daysaweek,three hundred sixty-five (365)days a year.
I In Rosenberg,the State's highest Court determined that the ordinary variance standard is inapplicable and a cellular
telephone company applying for relief need only show that (1)the relief is "required to render safe andadequateservice,"and (2)there are "compelling reasons,economic or otherwise,"for needing the variance.CellularTelephoneCompanyv.Rosenberg,82 N.Y.2d 364,372 (1993).