Laserfiche WebLink
i <br /> i <br /> Mr. Balzarini inquired about the fall zone and proximity to residences. Mr. Moreno responded <br /> that the fall zone was located on the property, with the Fire Station being the closest building, <br /> though not in the fall zone, even if there was a wind storm. <br /> Mr. Hansen inquired about the hardship that allowed permitting. Ms. Thompson responded that <br /> the variance issue was addressed by the ZBA, and was not a matter before the Planning Board. <br /> Ms. Thompson explained that obtaining a variance under Massachusetts state law included a <br /> criteria showing proof of hardship and the necessity for a variance. Mr. Hansen inquired about <br /> the hardship and Ms. Thompson responded that the hardship was due to a significant gap in <br /> coverage,with the topography determining the necessary height of the facility. <br /> The Chair asked that Board members hold their questions to allow the project proponent to <br /> complete their presentation. The Chair asked for clarification regarding images being shown in <br /> the presentation and its location in Board member application packets and Ms. Thompson <br /> responded that there were additional plans requested by the experts which appeared in the <br /> supplement. <br /> Verizon Radio Frequency Engineer, Keith Vellante, referenced maps submitted with the <br /> application regarding existing cell sites located in Mashpee and depicting Verizon's needs. <br /> Areas in green represented regular coverage with existing Verizon facilities. Due to the <br /> topography, an additional cell site was necessary to extend the coverage. Mr. Vellante noted that <br /> many residents have removed their home phones, utilizing instead cell service,that was <br /> becoming a larger part of their daily lives and creating the need for additional capacity. Mr. <br /> Vellante discussed the sporadic coverage available in southern Mashpee,where there was also an <br /> increased number of users on the fringe of coverage, impacting usage closer to cell sites. Mr. <br /> Vellante showed how the new site would extend coverage and lessen the burden on other users, <br /> closer to other cell sites. Mr. Vellante noted that the height of the monopole was necessary due <br /> to the distance and topographical challenges. <br /> TMobile Radio Frequency Engineer, Ricky Kareoke, showed TMobile's existing coverage and <br /> discussed their need to better cover the gap and showed how the new tower would improve their <br /> coverage. Referencing the map, Mr. Balzarini inquired about areas that showed there would <br /> continue to be no coverage with the new cell tower and Mr. Kareoke responded that in the future, <br /> there would likely be improved technologies which would be able to cover the area. <br /> Mark Correnti, FairMarket Advisors, LLC,provided a report detailing the effects of cell towers <br /> to property values. Ms. Thompson indicated that the report had been provided in response to <br /> concerns expressed by abutters at the Cape Cod Commission hearing. Mr. Correnti explained <br /> the way in which he researched whether the project could reduce the value of a house, measured <br /> by researching sales in Mashpee, including similar homes within sight of existing towers. Mr. <br /> Correnti noted that buyers were the market makers and described specific sales located in <br /> Mashpee, as well as homes in Barnstable. Mr. Correnti found that sales of homes were not <br /> negatively impacted by the view of cell towers, and in fact, found that sale values were higher <br /> F <br /> 5 <br /> i <br />