Eaton County planning panel approves Vertical Bridge cell tower for South Bayonne Road

The Eaton County Planning Commission on Sept. 2 approved a conditional use permit for Vertical Bridge to construct a 195-foot telecommunications tower, with a 4-foot lightning rod, at 4181 South Bayonne Road in Bellevue Township.

County staff told the commission the 12.75-acre site is zoned Limited Agricultural and that RF Systems Engineering Associates reviewed the application and found the proposed tower met the requirements of zoning section 14.27. Staff recommended approval and noted reviewers — including the Eaton County Road Commission, Barry-Eaton District Health Department, Bellevue Township Fire Department and Eaton Conservation District — had no outstanding objections.

Mark Barnes, a Telecade Engineering representative working on behalf of Vertical Bridge and Verizon Wireless, said Verizon will be the initial carrier and that the site will be unmanned except for occasional maintenance. He confirmed construction is proposed to begin in 2026 and that supplies will arrive by light delivery trucks. Barnes said the tower has not been ordered and he could not identify the manufacturer at the meeting.

Commission discussion touched on driveway and road impacts. Staff noted the Eaton County Road Commission recommended that the newly proposed driveway off West 5 Point Highway be constructed to commercial driveway standards and that a permit be obtained; staff recommended that permit be required as a condition. The applicant and staff said post-construction traffic will be limited to monthly maintenance visits.

No written objections were received by staff from notified neighbors at the time the report was written. Commissioners asked about fencing and lighting; the applicant said the site will be fenced (6-foot fence with three strands of barbed wire at the top was described later in discussion) and that the tower’s final height (195' plus a 4' lightning rod = 199' above grade) is below the 200-foot Federal Aviation Administration threshold that would require lighting, but the company will ensure compliance with federal rules.

The motion to approve CU-9-25-5 passed by roll call vote with all commissioners present voting yes: Scott Hanson, Ben Terrell, Lisa Lewitski, Ray Whitaker, Tim Catron, Zachary Dillinger, Frank Holmes and Ryan Ross.

Commission staff said they will follow up with the applicant on the commercial driveway permit and other site-plan details prior to construction.