Planning board approves microcell pole in Walden right‑of‑way

The Cheektowaga Planning Board approved a special‑use permit to install a new utility pole and small cell telecommunications equipment in the Duke Road/Walden right‑of‑way.

Attorney Jared Lusk of Nixon Peabody described the proposal as a roughly 38.5‑foot pole with an antenna of about 2 feet and an equipment cabinet roughly “the size of a dorm refrigerator.” Lusk said the cabinet and electric meter would be installed on the pole and that the installation is similar to other poles already present in town.

Board members questioned safety if a pole is struck, potential interference with snow removal, and the visual effect of equipment. Lusk and the applicant noted the pole would be set to standard depth (about 6½ feet in the ground) and that the equipment cabinet is proposed 10 feet above ground to limit access by children.

The application included an RF engineer certification (Exhibit J) asserting the facility would operate well under federal exposure guidelines; Lusk said the facility would operate at “far less than 1% of the maximum” allowable ground‑level exposure. The board discussed and requested balloon testing and specific photo vantage points for visual simulations; staff confirmed the board requires a balloon test under section 255 of the town code before public hearing in some cases and that town engineering would assist with photo locations.

After questions and discussion, the board voted to approve the application. The applicant and town staff were directed to complete required notices to federal agencies and to coordinate any required balloon testing in accordance with town procedures.