West Tisbury’s zoning board of appeals (ZBA) has rescheduled a public hearing from September 6 to Thursday, September 27, on a proposal by Verizon to erect a wireless communications tower on the property of Robert Doane, off New Lane.
ZBA chairman Tucker Hubbell said the ZBA made the change to avoid holding the hearing on the same date as the state primary.
In a recent conversation, Mr. Doane told The Times that he signed a contract with Verizon about 15 months ago, to lease part of his property, in a heavily wooded area, for the tower. Mr. Doane said Verizon contacted him by letter about four years ago with the proposal, which the company said it needs to boost cell phone coverage in poor signal parts of West Tisbury.
The cell phone tower requires a special permit from the ZBA. Verizon’s permit application is expected to be referred to the Martha’s Vineyard Commission for review as a development of regional impact. The commission’s checklist for referrals includes new wireless communications towers.