Dennis Ulatowski
GIS Specialist
Planning Department
Keene, New Hampshire

CITY OF KEENE, NEW HAMPSHIRE View-Shed Analysis

Abstract:
The proliferation of wireless communications tower construction nationwide has begun to leave a lasting visual impact on the landscapes of cities and towns. Aggressive construction schedules by the telecommunication industry combined with financial incentives, has left some cities and towns with little or no time to consider the aesthetic degradation communications towers create in their community. Northern New England, especially, is vulnerable to the adverse visual impacts of these structures on its mostly rural, mountainous landscapes.

Due to the scenic nature of the hilly countryside, in which much of Keene exists, it is important to consider the quality of the existing landscape. Many residents, local workers and visitors to the City consider the rural and natural landscape of Keene to be one its primary assets. This interest is balanced by the recognized need to allow and sometimes promote improvements in telecommunications service. Therefore, it is important to determine those areas in the City that are considered most sensitive to the adverse visual impacts created by the placement of permanent structures on the landscape. This view-shed analysis for the city of Keene is being conducted in order to establish a Commercial Telecommunications Facilities Overlay District (CTFOD) that will map those areas where new structures can be placed, without compromising the quality of significant view-sheds.

The study consists of four steps to determine the significant viewing areas, which include observation point location selection, field survey and photographing, view-shed analysis, and significant viewing area determinations. An integral part to this analysis is the use of ESRI’s ArcView and 3D Analyst to plot observation points acquired with the use of GPS, map distances, hot-link digital photographs, calculate view-sheds, perform geoprocessing functions and zoning analysis, and ultimately generate the CTFOD.