Verizon Settlement Update 10.28.22

As you may be aware, the Town of Bedford has been working to settle a lawsuit against the Town by Verizon for many months. Verizon commenced the litigation because the Planning Board did not approve two of its applications to construct a wireless facility on Stone Hill Road and on Hickory Lane. While the Town was working on a proposed settlement of the lawsuit, a potential new site has come to our attention that we believe provides better coverage and may have less of an impact on the surrounding properties.  We have asked the court in the federal litigation to provide additional time to explore this option as a possible site for the settlement and are proceeding with the review of this site.

At this time there are still outstanding issues that need to be investigated and resolved; however, due to stringent court deadlines in the lawsuit, the Planning Board intends to review Verizon’s initial application for a wireless facility on property located at 954 Old Post Road on Tuesday, November 1 at 8:00 p.m., to start the initial 30-day notice period under the State Environmental Quality Review Act.  This 30 day period is required before the Planning Board may make any determinations with respect to potential environmental impacts from the project.  There will not be public discussion during the meeting on November 1.  However, the Planning Board will hold a public hearing in early December and will hear public comments at that time.

The Town is cautiously optimistic that a site has been located that may be less intrusive than the Stone Hill Road or Hickory Lane sites. We hope that the coverage, visual, environmental, and other elements of the review prove this to be true so that we will have a reasonable settlement option and a facility to provide wireless coverage for cell service and communications for emergency responders.

If you would like to be on the email list to receive notice of a balloon test or upcoming public hearings, please email planning@bedfordny.gov