Share This Article
The December 17 meeting of the Sudbury Planning Board featured a discussion about their ongoing efforts to establish a wireless services overlay district. Doing so would adjust the way the Town regulates installation of wireless infrastructure, potentially creating opportunity for private investments that could improve Sudbury’s woeful cell coverage.
While the bylaw changes would open the door a bit more for wireless infrastructure, the board discussed ways to maintain control. For example — cell antennas would not be allowed in historic districts if they were external to a building or visible from outside.
The overall approach balances local priorities and aesthetics while guiding the installation of wireless equipment to areas that are seen as more appropriate locations, or in proximity to areas where coverage gaps have been identified.
Sudbury’s Director of Planning and Community Development, Adam Burney, referenced his prior experience with a town that had wireless antennas installed at the top of high school football field lights. That approach would co-locate complimentary infrastructure.
Member Kirsten Roopenian suggested looking at the Lincoln-Sudbury Regional High School solar canopy, as well as the softball field for the potential to add antennas. The softball field at Lincoln-Sudbury is not lighted, but Roopenian suggested there maybe be an economic opportunity for the Town or the school district if it were to consider such an installation on that side of the LSRHS property.
No decisions have been made, but the Planning Board appeared to be working towards the submission of a warrant article for the May, 2026 Annual Town Meeting. Articles are due at the end of January, so residents won’t have to wait long to find out if this one moves forward.