APA permits six new cell-phone antennae

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July 24, 2008

APA approves 6 antennae for Keeseville-area tower

By KIM SMITH DEDAM The Press Republican Thu Jul 24, 2008, 12:05 PM EDT

RAY BROOK -- Six more cell-phone antenna panels have gained fast-track approval for co-location on an existing 237-foot telecommunications tower near Keeseville.

Adirondack Park Agency staff recently granted a general permit.

The site, owned by Omnipoint Communications for T-Mobile, will reach stretches of Interstate 87 around exit 34 in the northern section of the Adirondack Northway "dark zone," an area void of cell-phone service.

MOVED ALONG

APA spokesman Keith McKeever said the Omnipoint application fit requirements for fast-track approval.

"It looked to co-locate six antennae on an existing tall tower that lends itself to criteria in the general permit, which in this case took about 10 business days to approve."

Six panel antennas will be added at the 178-foot mark.

"This tower is the site of five previous APA permits," McKeever said. "It's been in place since 1965."

MORE APPLICATIONS

An increasing number of cell-phone companies have applied for tower permits this summer.

McKeever said the fluency in Adirondack telecommunication development is a result of hard work in Albany.

"Ongoing progress toward improved cellular coverage in the Adirondacks is a direct result of Gov. David Paterson's ability to build consensus between the public and private sector."

Independent Tower, LLC is looking to erect a new tower on a stretch of Adirondack Northway in Lewis, on the western side of the road between Exits 32 and 33, McKeever said.

"That's going to accommodate up to four different cell carriers. AT&T Mobile is co-applicant on that site."

The new Lewis tower will go before the APA Board of Commissioners in August.

VERIZON REVIEW

The infrastructure improvements come in addition to the steady Verizon Wireless march to build 13 new towers along the I-87 corridor.

Four new Verizon towers have been approved already at Warrensburg, Schroon Falls, North Hudson and on Meadowmount property in Lewis.

A fifth tower is undergoing visual review now, McKeever said.

Plans to build a tower near Poke-o-Moonshine will likely go before APA commissioners next month.

T-Mobile and AT&T use different types of technology from the Verizon Wireless telecommunications systems, which means expansion on the Northway will apply to a variety of users.

As an international thoroughfare, the four-lane highway connects New York City to Montreal.

It passes through several dense wilderness areas through the mountains, with nearly 47 miles of road void of cell-phone service.

The lack of communication infrastructure has exacerbated tragedy in several fatal accidents in the past few years.

It is also frustrating to regional emergency personnel with new ambulance equipment that can enhance response time if fed through a cell phone.

Call boxes -- spaced two miles apart between Northway Exits 26 and 35 -- work, but only if a traveler can walk to reach one.

The concern becomes dire in winter when temperatures drop below zero.

HAMLET SERVICE

Several other Verizon Wireless tower projects are planned in interior regions of the Adirondack Park, including two in the Town of Keene that would deliver service to Route 73, the road connecting I-87 from the south with Lake Placid.

The tower planned near the highway garage in the hamlet of Keene is undergoing visual analysis before APA staff review.

APA also received an application from AT&T Mobile on July 15 to co-locate up to six cellular carriers on an existing 145-foot-tall tower in the Town of Fine, St. Lawrence County.

kdedam@pressrepublican.com