Verizon Wireless recently proposed building a 190-foot tower in the parking lot of Infinity Fields Baseball Park, reported gmtoday.com. As commissioners and trustees consider the request, they are required to follow the strict guidelines of state Act 67, limiting the ability of local governments to deny conditional use permits.
In preparation for next week’s public meeting, Village Planning Consultant Shaun Mularkey lists 23 things municipalities cannot do when considering a conditional use permit. The village is barred from imposing environmental testing, sampling, or monitoring requirements, or requiring that the structure be placed on property owned by the village. According to Village President Brian Fischer, it’s been at least a decade since the village has considered a request to construct a tower.
Neighbor Sandy Hamm, whose property is near the baseball field, said of the tower, “I don’t want it in my backyard. The village has done the most they can to restrict these things, but the state Legislature has made it really difficult.” Another resident that lives close by said she fears for the health and safety implications on her small children.
The project will receive a review during a joint Plan Commission/Village Board meeting on Thursday, August 13. The meeting will be open to the public and followed by a discussion, and a possible decision, reported gmtoday.com.
Reader Interactions