In Nashville, IL petting zoo owner Alan Blumhorst, a fifth-generation land resident, is taking on AT&T and its planned 350-foot cell tower. The Belleville News-Democrat reported the tower’s location is slated across from Blumhorst’s pasture along Illinois 15, and he wants it moved to a “less visible” location.
“It’s going to be an eyesore for the thousands of people who come here to see Americana,” he said. The tower will affect the rural landscape and his “number one tourist attraction in Washington County,” according to Blumhorst. He’s also concerned about the health effects on residents and his roughly 250 animals.
The News-Democrat reported the planned structure would be a steel tower with antennas, receivers, and additional equipment, including flashing lights for aircraft safety. New York-based Tillman Infrastructure is on board as the builder with AT&T slated to lease space. There is also an opportunity for colocation on the tower.
According to Tillman COO Chris Hillabrant, the tower will improve cell phone and other wireless services for customers throughout the region and fill current gaps in coverage. He added that it would decrease the number of dropped calls, allow for higher-speed internet and assist emergency responders with communication. “It’s a public safety issue,” he said. “Cell phones are our lifelines these days.”
The Washington County Board is also updating policies regarding the placement and construction of towers. Currently, the county can’t do much to prevent a tower from being built on private property due to state law, reported the News-Democrat. This week, the board is expected to vote on telecommunications tower ordinance revisions that sync with state law and create a new application process for non-special-use tower permits.
In August, Tillman Infrastructure did apply for a special-use permit to build the tower as its height exceeds 200 feet but withdrew it in October due to state law. According to Bierman, state law allows companies to build cell towers up to 350 feet with “no questions asked” if they’re farther than a mile and a half from municipalities with more than 25,000 people. “We don’t have a city or village in the county with 25,000 people,” he said. “We don’t even have that many people in the county…our hands are tied.”
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