Planning commission recommends denial of proposed Tillman/Verizon tower after heavy neighborhood opposition

The Stearns County Planning Commission on July 24 recommended denial of a conditional use permit for a proposed telecommunications tower proposed by Tillman Infrastructure on behalf of Verizon, sited in the A-80 agricultural district of Main Prairie Township.

The application sought approval under Stearns County Land Use and Zoning Ordinance No. 439 (sections 4.8, 7.28 and 9.205) for a new tower intended to host Verizon and, according to the applicant, AT&T. The applicant said the new structure would enable carriers to reduce costs and continue serving the area after unsuccessful lease-renegotiation efforts with the existing tower owner, American Tower Corporation (ATC). Tillman representatives told the commission two carriers expressed interest in relocating to the proposed Tillman tower because they could operate more affordably there.

Neighbors mounted strong opposition at the hearing. More than two dozen residents signed a petition against the project; speakers cited concerns about the tower’s proximity to homes, loss of scenic rural character, potential impacts on wildlife (including sandhill cranes and local wetlands), perceived health concerns about radio-frequency emissions, and the expectation that property values would decline. Multiple speakers questioned whether capacity already exists on nearby towers and said the parcel chosen was inside a portion of the county’s “concentrated development area” on the future land-use map.

Applicant representatives said the project would undergo federal environmental review required by the Federal Communications Commission (NEPA) and asserted the proposal would improve connectivity and provide competition for existing tower leasing. They also provided a property-valuation appraisal concluding little impact to nearby property values and affidavits from carriers saying AT&T and Verizon reached out to existing tower landlords to renegotiate and were unsuccessful.

Commission debate focused on compatibility with the county comprehensive plan, proximity to existing towers, the presence of nearby residences and the neighborhood’s character. Commissioners split on interpretation of the comprehensive plan goals for connectivity versus preserving rural character; several commissioners cited available infrastructure (existing towers) and the strong neighborhood opposition as reasons to deny.

A motion to deny the permit was made and seconded; the planning commission voted to recommend denial (planning-commission vote recorded as 3–1 in favor of denial) and will forward the recommendation to the Stearns County Board on Aug. 12 for final action. The applicant may pursue further review or alternative siting; staff noted that if carriers pursue relocation, applicable federal and state reviews (including NEPA and FCC processes) would still be required before construction.

Speakers and organizations referenced on the record include Tillman Infrastructure (applicant/consultant Buell Consulting), Verizon and AT&T (carriers), American Tower Corporation (current tower owner), and multiple Main Prairie Township residents and Wakefield Township/municipal officials who submitted letters or testified.