The future of camouflaged towers near residential zones is still uncertain after a tie vote by the Vermillion, SD City Council. The proposed ordinance would loosen restrictions that currently prohibit towers from being erected within 300 feet of residential zones. The city’s current zoning policies limit construction of telecommunications towers to Central Business, General Business, General Industrial, and Heavy Industrial zoned properties.
This conflict began approximately one year ago after the removal of a water tower near Vermillion’s historic downtown area. Cell tower contractors contacted city officials to explore erecting a cell tower at the water tower’s former site. According to the Vermillion Plain Talk, homeowners in the vicinity of the water tower site responded with a range of objections, including health concerns and the tower’s potential impacts on the neighborhood’s natural beauty and property values.
Supporters of the ordinance underscore Vermillion’s need for additional cell service. Speaking with the Vermillion Plain Talk, alderman Steve Ward explained, “We need more cell phone service, so we have to build more cell towers.” Vermillion’s unique position as the home of the University of South Dakota adds to the need for more cell service, Ward suggested. “It’s a utility need that we require as a city, especially as a college town where we have more users per capita than other towns in the state of South Dakota,” Ward said to Vermillion Plain Talk.
Following the tie vote, City Council members indicated that ordinance may be taken up again by the Policy and Procedure Committee. There, amendments may be suggested to satisfy opponents of the ordinance and allow the city to move forward with expanding cell service in Vermillion.
December 21, 2017
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