No Tall Tower Organization

NoTallTower.org is a group of concerned Gloucester residents. The group supports a cell tower to better service area residents. We also support the city zoning ordinance which limits the height of a cell tower to no more than 10 feet above the average height of the surrounding tree canopy (about 80 feet). We feel that the proposed height of this tower is not in keeping with the character of our magnificent shoreline. Gloucester has sought to preserve the rural character of this area by zoning it as Rural Residential.

We advocate a tower that extends just above the treeline, perhaps in a less visually obtrusive 'flagpole' design, so as not to spoil the natural beauty of our coastline. We welcome any fellow supporters in this cause.

Is this possible?

Unfortunately, yes. SBA Towers wants to construct a 154' cell tower on a 100' foot hill at 250 Concord Street in West Gloucester. Not only is a 154' tower unsuited to a residential community, but the location puts the proposed tower approximately 1/2 mile from scenic Essex Bay. Boaters, fishermen and beachgoers can expect to see a similar view as they scan the Gloucester shore of the Great Marsh. The outsized tower will be clearly visible from:

  • Essex River / Bay
  • Crane & Coffins Beaches
  • Conomo Point
  • Hog Island
  • Two Penny Loaf
  • Annisquam River
  • Walker Creek
  • Farm Creek & Cole's Island
  • Sunset Mountain & Eagle Rock vistas (Tompson Street Reservation, Essex County Greenbelt)
  • Red Rocks Conservation Area vista
  • Mount Ann Park vista (Trustees of Reservations)


    • Estimated View From Essex Bay

    Tower will loom over the Gloucester shore of the Great Marsh & Essex River. This view is about 6/10 mile from the tower location, looking down Lane's Creek, a popular kayaking spot.


    Where will the tower be in West Gloucester?

    Not in the deep woods behind Mount Ann as some might suspect, the proposed tower will be a total of 254 feet above the shores of Essex Bay. See the location in red above. Note that there are no cell towers of any height in this map, for a reason.

    Visible From Where?

    Map courtesy of "City of Gloucester Unique Landscapes".

    Latest News (Reverse Chronological Order)

    City Council Hearing will be on June 23rd at 7pm in City Hall Auditorium

    City's Planning & Development committee met on June 3rd at City Hall and voted to recommend a 130' tower with a unipole design (internal antennas) to full City Council.

    City hires Consultant (Isotrope) to evaluate cell tower proposal.

    An on-site 150' balloon test was conducted on Sunday, April 12th and Monday, April 13th.

    The City Council P&D Committee will meet to dicuss tower on April 8th 2015 at 5:30 pm at City Hall.

    See new Boston Sunday Globe article on proposed cell tower at: http://www.bostonglobe.com/metro/regionals/north/2014/12/13/commentary-cell-tower-would-ruin-scenic-area-gloucester/S84KxyQldvm7nbx7I0nqIP/story.html"

    Next Gloucester Zoning Board of Appeals moved decision to City Council at Thursday, December 18th, 2014 7pm meeting.

    The Gloucester Zoning Board of Appeals held a hearing on November 13th, 2014 at City Hall. The Zoning Board of Appeals decided to delay making a decision until its December meeting, to be held on Thursday, December 18th, 2014 at 7pm in City Hall.

    Follow us on Twitter at: https://twitter.com/NoTallTower