Newark NY: NYSEG Station & Cell Antennas Face Village Review in March
Village leaders in Newark, New York, are preparing to address proposals for a new electricity regulator station and the installation of additional cell antennas during meetings scheduled for early March and .
The Newark Planning Board will convene on at 6:30 p.m. In the Village Court Room, located on the second floor of the Newark Municipal Building at 100 East Miller Street. The board’s agenda includes a review of a site plan submitted by New York State Electric & Gas (NYSEG) for a proposed regulator station at 949 Peirson Avenue.
NYSEG is seeking approval under Chapter 134 of the village code for the Peirson Avenue Regulator Station project. The application also requests area variances related to fence height regulations. Current village code restricts fences in residential districts to a maximum of 4 feet, while NYSEG’s plan proposes an 8-foot fence. The proposed site is located within a Residential R-1 zoning district, which typically permits only residential buildings. NYSEG is also requesting a special use permit to allow for the installation of the regulator station.
The Zoning Board of Appeals (ZBA) will take up the same NYSEG proposal at its meeting on , also at 6:30 p.m. In the Village Court Room. The ZBA will consider the site plan approval, the requested variances for the 8-foot fence, and the special use permit for operation within the R-1 zone.
In a separate matter, the ZBA will also review a proposal concerning a property at 200 East Miller Street. Centerline Communications, acting as an agent for AT&T and represented by Brenda Blask-Lewis, is seeking an addition to an existing special use permit. The company intends to add three antennas and associated mounting equipment to the roof of the building, which is situated in an R-2 zoning district.
Both the Planning Board and ZBA meetings will begin with a 6:00 p.m. Workshop session prior to the formal agenda. Residents are encouraged to attend the meetings at the municipal building to learn more about the proposals and provide their input.
The proposals come as municipalities across the United States grapple with the need to upgrade infrastructure to meet growing demands for electricity and wireless communication. Regulator stations are essential components of electricity distribution networks, ensuring stable voltage levels for consumers. The expansion of cellular networks, driven by increasing data consumption and the rollout of 5G technology, necessitates the installation of additional antennas.
The specific challenges in Newark center on balancing the need for these infrastructure improvements with the character of residential neighborhoods. The proposed 8-foot fence at the NYSEG site, for example, represents a departure from existing zoning regulations and has prompted the need for a variance. Similarly, the addition of antennas to the roof of the building at 200 East Miller Street requires a modification to the existing special use permit.
The Newark Planning Board is entrusted with the preparation of the City’s Master Plan and the review of development applications for site plan and subdivision approval, according to information available from the city’s website. The board also makes recommendations to the Municipal Council regarding proposed changes to the Zoning Ordinance.
The Central Planning Board held a regular virtual meeting on , , , and , with further meetings scheduled for , , and throughout the remainder of the year.
The upcoming decisions by the Planning Board and ZBA will likely set a precedent for future infrastructure projects in Newark, highlighting the importance of careful consideration of zoning regulations, community concerns, and the long-term needs of the village.