FARMINGTON – A yes vote by the Planning Board gave U.S. Cellular permission to install a 190-foot tower to improve coverage in the area.

But the board had such a full agenda at Monday night’s meeting that after three and a half hours, they decided to put four applications on the shelf for a special meeting next Tuesday night.

Originally, U.S. Cellular had submitted an application to erect an unlit 190-foot telecommunications tower at 376 Titcomb Hill Road on land owned by Raymond Titcomb and Deborah Mallett.

The tower would serve that carrier, and provide co-location for up to five others, the company’s attorney, Richard Trafton, of Auburn told the board.

The new tower would improve reception, especially in the downtown area, and allow the carrier to respond to the rising call volume.

Construction would begin in the fall and after that, the site would be visited once or twice per month by technicians.

At Monday night’s meeting though, Trafton told the board that because of visibility issues, U.S. Cellular has downsized their plans to a 150-foot tower.

However, board member Tom Eastler said that if a 190-foot tower would provide better coverage and prevent another tower from being built in the future, he was in favor of the taller tower.

The board approved a 190-foot tower in a 5-1 vote, with Tim Wallace opposed.

Board members Donna Tracy, Craig Jordan and Chairman Bussie York excused themselves from the issue, due to perceived conflicts.

An application from Portland developer Grant Wilson to renovate the three-story building at 187 Main St. that formerly housed Don’s AG was given the go-ahead.

Wilson plans to lease two spaces on the ground floor for two separate restaurants and another space for an office. He also hopes to add two two-story apartments in addition to the two already there.

The board approved that application unanimously.

Code Enforcement Officer Steve Kaiser said that was a generic approval for whatever restaurants wanted to go in there, but present at the meeting were the owners of the Dunkin’ Donuts on the Wilton Road in Farmington, who hope to move into the space closest to Franklin Savings Bank.

Kaiser said because of an ordinance, the franchise would not be able to have a drive-thru window, but could offer takeout like many other downtown eateries.

Another restaurant, a pizza place dubbed the Pie Hole has taken out a half-page in the Verizon SuperPages advertising their business being in that building, though no official deals have been made, Kaiser said.

That application was voted on around 10:30 p.m., at which point board members decided to call it a night.

“You only have the energy for so many things,” Kaiser said.

So, four applications have been postponed to be taken up at a meeting at 7 p.m. Tuesday, Feb. 17, at the Farmington Town Office.

Those four include:

• An application from the Farmington Hills Housing Associates to build two buildings, each with six units, off of Cascade Leisure Park Road.

• An application from Edward Martin to renovate the former Knowlton and McCleery Building at 107 Church St. so that Quad M’s Steak and Seafood restaurant could relocate there from its present Fairbanks Road location.

• An application from Flint Christie to combine two lots.

• And, an application from Peter Tracy for timber harvesting within the shoreland zone of the Sandy River.

sdepoy@sunjournal.com

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