Village approves special use for cell tower at Kemmerling Park after lengthy public comment

The Roselle Village Board on Sept. 22, 2025, adopted an ordinance granting a special-use permit for a cell tower at 400 South Prospect Street (Kemmerling Park), voting 5 in favor and 1 opposed.

The tower proposed by Insight Inc. on behalf of Verizon Wireless is an approximately 80-foot monopine sited behind the park lot and, according to village staff, will accommodate up to three carriers. Village staff said the compound will include an 8-foot security fence and 27 screening trees; the zoning memorandum notes the proposed tower sits about 234 feet from 381 South Roselle Road and 209 feet from 405 South Roselle Road. The zoning code requires a setback equal to 110% of the tower height (an 88-foot minimum for an 80-foot tower), a standard staff says the proposal meets.

Why it mattered: dozens of residents spoke during the public-comment period and at the planning and zoning public hearing, arguing the location is too close to a school and pool, citing studies and anecdotal evidence they contend show reduced home values and potential health risks. The planning and zoning commission recommended denial in a 2–3 vote. Village staff and the applicant said the site addresses a coverage gap shown in carrier maps and that federal law limits local consideration of radio-frequency health effects.

Residents' concerns and public comments

Multiple residents described being surprised by the proposal and questioned whether neighbors were notified. "I stand here today deeply concerned about the lack of transparency surrounding the proposed cell tower at the Park District," said Margaret Krzyzewski, a Roselle resident. Several speakers asked why the park district first received the proposal from the vendor, why competitive bids were not required and whether other locations were considered.

Sylvia Pasquini, a Roselle resident and paraprofessional at Roselle Middle School, said the proposed location "raises several critical concerns" including property values, children's long-term exposure and changes to neighborhood character. "I urge you to stand with us and vote no," Pasquini said during public comment.

Several residents and commenters, including Leah Ashover, Marcia Tumanero and Yaroslav Gnatyuk, cited studies and legal rulings they said support setbacks from schools or additional review; speakers also urged alternative sites such as the Meacham Grove Forest Preserve or the village's wastewater treatment plant.

Applicants and staff response

Karen Bridal, the village's community development manager, said notice was carried out under the village's zoning ordinance: a sign posted on the property, a newspaper notice and letters mailed to property owners within 350 feet 15 to 30 days before the hearing. "This is a private project, so we are not bidding out or seeking or soliciting anyone to this project. They are an applicant for this, so that is why there is no bidding process," Bridal said.

Greg DaVona, representing Vertical Bridge and Verizon, said the site was chosen after a search for existing structures to collocate on found none that would serve the coverage need. "This location fits quite nicely into Verizon's existing network of sites, and it fills the coverage deficiency shown in the map," he told the board.

Legal limits on local review

The village attorney and Mayor Pawlowski reminded the public that federal law limits municipal review of wireless siting. The mayor told the audience the village is "prohibited from considering the health impacts related to RF emissions" under FCC law; the village attorney added that zoning restrictions cannot be applied in a way that effectively prohibits service or that unduly discriminates among providers.

Board action and next steps

Trustee Steve Forsyth moved to pass the ordinance granting the special use; the motion passed 5'to'1. The parcel is owned by the park district, which approved a lease with the applicant; the ordinance authorizes the special-use permit for the wireless facility but does not set a construction start date. The proposal includes space for future carriers and, according to the applicant, is designed to blend with existing vegetation.

The board's approval follows the planning and zoning commission's 2'to'3 recommendation against the proposal; the village will proceed under its zoning and permitting processes and the applicant will pursue required FCC and aviation clearances as applicable.