Left In Lowell

I was going to answer RIL’s comments in Lynn’s latest post, but I thought it be better if I front page it.


RIL wrote: “Be ready for another dramatic NIMBY performance Monday night regarding a tower on Boston Rd.”
He is right and I will be one of the perfomers who will be speaking at the Planning Board’s public hearing; maybe even the opening act.  You may want to believe that it is simply a NIMBY issue,  but it is more complicated than that.

Here is the item as listed in the Planning Board’s agenda for tomorrow night:

Site Plan Review: 363 Boston Road; Continued
The Board will review additional information relative to an application by US Wireless,
Inc. and T-Mobile Northeast, LLC for site plan review of the proposed project located at
363 Boston Road. The project proposal is to construct and operate a wireless
communications facility that includes a 150-foot tower consisting of nine (9) wireless
telecommunications panel antennas. The proposed tower and accessory equipment,
contained within a fenced 3,000 square foot compound, will be located directly south
of the cemetery on the property. The project is located on an 11.6-acre parcel in the
TSF (Traditional Single Family) zoning district and requires Site Plan review under Section
7.6.2 and 11.4 of the zoning code

I am not concerned about any health issues for me, although I am for the animals that live in the conservation land adjacent to the lot in question; I am also in favor of increasing our revenue stream; and I am (reluctantly) willing to put up with an ugly structure (150 feet and 9 panels) in my backyard.  And of course, I want to use my smart phone every where in the City. However, what this is about is having the City of Lowell changing its zoning laws so that the limited open space we have, including public parks and cemeteries, now can be used for commercial ventures.

The City is in a though position. Citizens do not want their taxes to be increased, they do not want their services to be decreased and people like me do not want to see public space that is reserved for recreation leased out to a commercial venture.

Perhaps the nameless playground on Boston Road does not have the facilities as some of the more popular ones, such as Shedd, McPherson, Callery, etc…, and perhaps our neighborhood is not as well as organized or outspoken as other neighborhoods but it is a park. So we have to decide which sacrifice we are willing to make: increase our taxes, cut back on our services or rent our public parks. My choice is the first one. Those of you who favor the third option are encourage to come tomorrow night and do not forget the ZBA meeting next week. And if this goes forward, there is always the City Council meeting.