Hamlin supervisor says radio tower is long way off

Lately, Hamlin residents have been sounding off, showing their disdain for the proposal to erect a 340-foot radio tower on a parcel of land that is directly southwest of 65 Wiler Road. "As far as I am concerned, WMJQ has to show us that there is a definite benefit to the town of Hamlin," said Hamlin Supervisor Austin Warner.

Warner said for now the radio tower is only a hypothetical debate as Canandaigua Broadcasting Inc., the company which originally came to the town with the idea, has not even formally petitioned to rezone the property. They have, however, provided the town with a table of contents for a draft environmental impact statement to review.

If they do follow through with the petition, Warner said he wants to be clear with the people of Hamlin that the tower is far from a done deal.

"There have been a lot of concerns voiced," said Warner. "We’re certainly going to research this thing. This is not something that has already been decided on."

Hamlin’s attorney, Kenneth Licht, said if the broadcasting company did petition for rezoning, the process would be lengthy and involve a great deal of public input.

"It is not going to be less than a six-month process," said Licht.

The tower would create a need for rezoning and also require two variances. The property would have to be rezoned from its current status of commercial/neighborhood business to residential very low density. The height variance and set back variances would also have to be amended.

If a formal petition is turned in for the radio tower, the process would involve the town board, town engineer, conservation board and planning board. The process would also include four public hearings, and a 30-day public comment period.

The idea of building a tower in Hamlin came about last summer when Canandaigua Broadcasting Inc. approached the town. The group would like to add its seventh station in Hamlin. WMJQ-FM would be a 6,000-watt station that would broadcast local news and follow a still undetermined music format. The company currently operates Canadaigua’s WCGR-AM (1550), WGVA-AM (1240) in Geneva, WSFW-AM (1110) and WLLW-FM in Seneca Falls, WAUB-AM (1590) in Auburn, and WNYR-FM (98.5) in Waterloo.

As an incentive for allowing the tower to be built, the company has promised Hamlin $50,000-$100,000 to purchase parkland or make improvements to current park areas.

At an informational meeting held at the Town Hall months ago, Canandaigua Broadcasting owner George Kimble explained that he hand picked the proposed location because he said it would affect as few people as possible. The company is also under federal restrictions as to where the tower can be placed and 80 percent of the available land falls in Hamlin.

Residents have voiced concerns over how the tower might: hurt property value, detract aesthetically from the area, damage wildlife, pose health risks, interfere with local agriculture, emit a frequency that is strong enough to disrupt other frequencies.

Warner said because of the many concerns expressed by residents this proposal will be scrutinized heavily and public input will be sought.

"This is far from over," said Warner.

Warner said he would like to gather more public input on this proposal and would welcome calls at 964-8981 or e-mails at supervisor@hamlinny.org.