From Kriss Marion
Lafayette County Board Supervisor
To the editor:
As a Lafayette County Planning and Zoning Committee member, I'd like to comment on the Oct. 13 public hearing regarding seven Bug Tussel wireless tower permits. Broadband is essential for current and future residents and businesses, yet I found myself in the shocking position, with my fellow supervisors, of voting against permits for five of the towers. Why? Well, as those of us who have internet service say on Facebook, "It's complicated."
First, our votes essentially mean nothing. Wireless is just one more realm from which the state has recently forbidden local control. As with large Confined Animal Feeding Operations (CAFOs), locals can't actually say no. A community can put a temporary moratorium on CAFOs to study health and safety aspects of storing and spreading large volumes of manure on or near specific groundwater and surface waters resources, then create special guidelines to protect them. But in the case of wireless, state statute says communities cannot refuse towers because of health, safety, or land value concerns. Communities simply cannot not permit a cellular tower, regardless of issues with location, developer or design.
So why bother to have a public hearing? The Planning and Zoning department was aware of objections, and while the county can't actually deny the permits, Bug Tussel can adjust plans to accommodate issues articulated at the standing-room-only hearing. By voting against permits where residents had concerns, we hoped to encourage Bug Tussel to work with the townships and county and allow neighbors to talk about balancing the need for internet service with a desire to enjoy the rural landscape.
Lafayette County is currently working with ComElec, aided by a state grant, to provide broadband using existing structures like silos and water towers for transmission. CenturyLink is collaborating with our Regional Planning Commission to expand here. The Planning and Zoning Committee believes we absolutely need to provide fast reliable internet, but with planning and community input. We'd like to work with Bug Tussel on a vision that works for us all.
Lafayette County Board Supervisor
To the editor:
As a Lafayette County Planning and Zoning Committee member, I'd like to comment on the Oct. 13 public hearing regarding seven Bug Tussel wireless tower permits. Broadband is essential for current and future residents and businesses, yet I found myself in the shocking position, with my fellow supervisors, of voting against permits for five of the towers. Why? Well, as those of us who have internet service say on Facebook, "It's complicated."
First, our votes essentially mean nothing. Wireless is just one more realm from which the state has recently forbidden local control. As with large Confined Animal Feeding Operations (CAFOs), locals can't actually say no. A community can put a temporary moratorium on CAFOs to study health and safety aspects of storing and spreading large volumes of manure on or near specific groundwater and surface waters resources, then create special guidelines to protect them. But in the case of wireless, state statute says communities cannot refuse towers because of health, safety, or land value concerns. Communities simply cannot not permit a cellular tower, regardless of issues with location, developer or design.
So why bother to have a public hearing? The Planning and Zoning department was aware of objections, and while the county can't actually deny the permits, Bug Tussel can adjust plans to accommodate issues articulated at the standing-room-only hearing. By voting against permits where residents had concerns, we hoped to encourage Bug Tussel to work with the townships and county and allow neighbors to talk about balancing the need for internet service with a desire to enjoy the rural landscape.
Lafayette County is currently working with ComElec, aided by a state grant, to provide broadband using existing structures like silos and water towers for transmission. CenturyLink is collaborating with our Regional Planning Commission to expand here. The Planning and Zoning Committee believes we absolutely need to provide fast reliable internet, but with planning and community input. We'd like to work with Bug Tussel on a vision that works for us all.
