[wny-digital-equity-list] Does anyone know where this tower is going?

Heidi Ziemer ddum60 at gmail.com
Wed Sep 24 13:22:27 EDT 2025 

So I did check and here is the legislation:
https://nyassembly.gov/leg/?default_fld=&leg_video=&bn=A04030&term=&Summary=Y&Text=Y

According to AI, these are the steps for preparing an area for a cell tower:
1. Site evaluation and feasibility study
Before any physical work begins, a telecommunications company identifies
and secures a strategic location to fill a network coverage gap.

   - Radio frequency (RF) planning: Engineers use specialized tools to
   identify areas with poor signal coverage and pinpoint the optimal placement
   for a new tower.
   - Accessibility check: The site is assessed for access by construction
   crews, maintenance teams, and utility providers for power and fiber optic
   cables.
   - Zoning review: Local government regulations regarding tower height,
   aesthetics, and proximity to homes and schools are reviewed and approved.
   Early engagement with zoning officials is critical.
   - Environmental assessment: An environmental impact assessment is
   conducted to evaluate the effects of construction on the surrounding area,
   including potential noise pollution, visual impact, and effects on local
   plants and wildlife.

2. Land surveying and soil testing
Once a site is chosen, detailed surveys are conducted to gather technical
information for engineering and permitting.

   - Boundary and topographic survey: Surveyors map the boundaries and
   topography of the land, noting changes in elevation, drainage patterns, and
   property lines.
   - Geotechnical survey: Engineers drill boreholes to test the soil's
   composition, load-bearing capacity, and groundwater level. This determines
   the specific foundation requirements to ensure the tower's long-term
   stability.

3. Permitting and environmental compliance
The telecommunications company secures all necessary approvals from
government bodies at the local and federal levels.

   - Zoning approval: A permit application is submitted to the local land
   use office, which may require public hearings to address community concerns.
   - Federal registration: Towers over a certain height or near airports
   must be registered with the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) and
   Federal Aviation Administration (FAA).
   - Environmental mitigation: If the site is in an environmentally
   sensitive area, specific measures may be required, such as limiting
   construction during nesting seasons.

4. Clearing and grading
The land is prepared for construction based on the site plan.

   - Clearing and grubbing: Trees, brush, and debris are removed from the
   tower compound, access roads, and equipment areas.
   - Grading and leveling: The ground is leveled to create a stable pad for
   the tower foundation and equipment. The site is also graded to ensure
   proper drainage and prevent water buildup.
   - Erosion control: Protective measures, like silt fences or straw
   wattles, are installed, particularly on slopes, to minimize soil erosion.


5. Access road and utility preparation
Infrastructure to support the tower's construction and operation is
established.

   - Access road construction: A durable road is created to allow heavy
   equipment and service vehicles year-round access. This includes laying
   gravel and planning for drainage with culverts or ditches.
   - Utility coordination: Trenches are dug and conduits are laid for power
   lines, fiber optic cables, and grounding systems. A reliable grounding
   system is critical for protecting equipment from lightning strikes.
   - Security: Fencing and a locked gate are often installed to secure the
   site and prevent unauthorized access.

6. Foundation construction
The tower's foundation is built according to the specifications from the
geotechnical survey and engineering plans.

   - Excavation: The ground is excavated to the required depth and width
   for the foundation.
   - Reinforcement: Steel rebar cages are installed to provide structural
   reinforcement for the foundation.
   - Concrete pouring: A large concrete pad or pier system is poured and
   left to cure for several days or weeks. Special precast foundation systems
   can be used in sensitive or hard-to-access locations.



On Wed, Sep 24, 2025 at 1:14 PM Heidi Ziemer <ddum60 at gmail.com> wrote:

> Thanks Courtney, great sleuthing!!
>
> That area is a more remote part of East Amherst - what we could call
> "rural" - and the story does mention this is also a problem in urban areas.
> Also note the environmental concerns of these poles. Wonder what the state
> has for guidelines on these. Will poke around.
>
> Thanks,
> Heidi
>
> On Wed, Sep 24, 2025 at 12:47 PM Courtney Deuro <CDeuro at center4sa.org>
> wrote:
>
>> Hi Heidi,
>> According to this Channel 2 article it's going to be at 1265 Smith Road
>> in East Amherst.
>>
>>    - A new cell tower is coming to East Amherst =
>>    https://www.wgrz.com/article/tech/new-cell-tower-coming-to-east-amherst-after-new-law/71-99b163e1-bacc-48e8-8395-2e831925a993
>>
>>
>> I've attached a screenshot of it on Google Maps.
>>
>> Thanks,
>> Courtney
>>
>> ------------------------------------
>>
>> *Courtney Deuro*
>>
>> Data Analyst
>>
>>
>>
>> *Center for Self Advocacy, Inc.*
>>
>> 1021 Broadway Street, 4th floor
>>
>> Buffalo, New York 14212
>>
>>
>>
>> Book a meeting with me
>> <https://outlook.office.com/bookwithme/user/8858b0d331204e9ba18a2c1fa91fa241@center4sa.org?anonymous&ep=pcard>
>>
>>
>> Office: (716) 768-1795
>>
>>
>>
>> ------------------------------
>> *From:* wny-digital-equity-list <
>> wny-digital-equity-list-bounces at wnydigitalequity.org> on behalf of Heidi
>> Ziemer <Heidi at missionignite.org>
>> *Sent:* Wednesday, September 24, 2025 11:01 AM
>> *To:* ahorner at wnydigitalequity.org <ahorner at wnydigitalequity.org>;
>> wny-digital-equity-list at wnydigitalequity.org <
>> wny-digital-equity-list at wnydigitalequity.org>
>> *Subject:* [wny-digital-equity-list] Does anyone know where this tower
>> is going?
>>
>> Hi all,
>>
>> I saw this news about new cell tower going up in Town of Amherst and
>> wondered how and where:
>>
>> *Assemblymember McMahon: Bill to Improve Local Cell Service Signed into
>> Law
>> <https://click.mlsend.com/link/c/YT0yODQwODUyMDE5NzcyNjYwNTM5JmM9YjluMiZlPTAmYj0xNDc5ODY5MjUwJmQ9dTVkMHE0aw==.53wGHE8oOho76p_21MQ-irWTXlH8tl7PlronLO84cn4>*
>>
>> And is it something we could urge other legislators to do in areas with
>> poor coverage?
>>
>>
>> Heidi Ziemer
>> Community Investment Specialist
>> Mission:Ignite [previous: Computers For Children, Inc.]
>> 701 Seneca St., Suite 601
>> Buffalo, NY 14210
>> heidi at missionignite.org
>>
>> --
>> wny-digital-equity-list mailing list
>> wny-digital-equity-list at wnydigitalequity.org
>>
>> http://wnydigitalequity.org/mailman/listinfo/wny-digital-equity-list_wnydigitalequity.org
>>
>
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