Dunn County to Move Airport Cell‑Tower Dispute to Executive Session After Developer Letter

Dunn County commissioners heard competing claims on a proposed telecom tower near the county airport and agreed to move the matter into executive session for legal review.

Airport representatives told the commission the proposed roughly 315‑foot tower would intrude on airport approach surfaces and that planning and zoning did not consult the airport before permitting. The airport representative warned of safety risks and asked the county to consider a wider exclusion zone for future towers; the airport official said the county’s runway-extension plans would make safety buffers larger in future years.

John Birchfield, who said he represents LCC Telecom Services, read a letter asking the board to uphold the conditional‑use permit. Birchfield said the permit "was duly approved on 11/11/2025 and that the period for filing objections or appeals has now passed," and described the letter as "submitted to protect Vertical Bridge's interest and to ensure that the proper administration procedures are followed." He also told the board, "We are looking for a new location for this tower" and said he would meet landowners about alternatives.

County counsel and Commissioner Pat Merryman said the letter raises procedural and potential litigation issues. Merryman told the commission, "Any further discussion on this... would probably be best done in executive session because it does sound like litigation is possible here." Commissioners agreed to schedule an executive session later, noting the building permit had not yet been issued and that no construction could proceed for now.

The exchange leaves open whether the county will seek to revoke or modify the permit. Airport officials urged the county and planning staff to coordinate future permitting with the airport, and suggested formal changes to zoning or planning procedures to prevent similar conflicts.