THOMPSON — Verizon has been granted approval to construct a 184-foot cell tower and accompanying 4,225-square-foot equipment compound on a 17-acre property at 585 South Maplewood Road in the Town of Thompson, currently home to a solar farm operated by Delaware Solar by the Thompson Planning Board. 

This location, situated within the Suburban Residential (SR) zoning district, is designated for the development of a Personal Wireless Service Facility (PWSF).

However, the approval comes with specific conditions, including a requirement for an engineer to assess the landscape planning around the compound to ensure it blends with the surrounding area.

The aesthetics of the tower, particularly its visibility from the road, was a major concern discussed by the Thompson Planning Board on March 13. 

Verizon argues that the tower is necessary to improve cell and internet connectivity in Thompson, addressing the prevalent issue of “dead spots” in cellular service throughout Sullivan County, caused by the region’s challenging topography.

The planning board emphasized the importance of preserving Sullivan County’s natural beauty and explored options to mitigate the visual impact of the tower. Discussions included disguising the tower as a tree or using actual trees and vegetation for screening.

During its review, the Sullivan County Division of Planning, Community Development & Environmental Management raised concerns, from Dermot Dowd, a Civil Engineer at the Sullivan County Division of Public Works, about the potential hazards of tower collapse on County Road 45. 

To address these concerns, the applicant outlined measures including design features and setbacks to ensure that, in the event of a collapse, the tower would fall within the site, thereby minimizing external risks.

The decision was made to proceed with the construction of the tower by the Thompson Planning Board, contingent on efforts to minimize its visual impact to conceal or integrate the tower into the surrounding landscape.