A proposed Verizon cell tower in Phoenicia drew packed houses to Shandaken town board and planning board meetings, where concerns were raised over the tower’s size, location, necessity, and impacts on property value and health.

The tower would fill a large gap in cell phone coverage that has plagued the area for decades, where in many areas, including the center of the hamlet of Phoenicia, cell service is nonexistent. The county 911 system would use the tower to mount radio equipment and improve coverage in the area.

The ZBA denied a variance to increase the proposed tower height from 180 feet to 199 feet to accommodate the additional gear for emergency responders, and the town board considered amending the communications law to allow the increased height.

“As you know, the zoning b

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