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Kenosha County committee backs residents, passes resolution opposing federal wireless siting rule
Summary
After residents urged local control over a proposed cell tower, the Kenosha County Legislative Committee unanimously approved a resolution opposing a federal rulemaking described as removing local authority over wireless deployment and said it will share the resolution with other counties and associations.
Kenosha County's legislative committee unanimously approved a resolution opposing federal rulemaking that, supporters said, would limit local control over where and how wireless facilities are sited.
Residents from the neighborhood near the proposed tower spoke during public comment. "We don't need to reduce local control. We need to increase local control," said Dave Stacia, who identified his address for the record and told the committee he and his neighbors support Supervisor Morrissey's resolution. Cheryl Turner, a nearby resident, said the tower would be about "100 feet from my back door" and raised concerns about property values and neighborhood aesthetics.
Chair members and several supervisors said the rulemaking—described in committee materials and remarks as "Build America eliminating barriers to wireless deployment"—could preempt local ordinances on design standards, buffers, fees and emergency access. The chair noted that, while the specific tower in question is located in the village of Pleasant Prairie, many affected residents live in the city area nearby.
Supervisor Morrissey moved the resolution and Supervisor Kirby seconded it. A supervisor suggested sending copies to other counties and the Wisconsin Counties Association so other jurisdictions could consider similar action. The committee called the voice vote and recorded the motion as passing.
The committee's action directs county leadership to communicate opposition to the rulemaking to federal representatives and to coordinate with peer organizations; committee members said the step is intended to preserve local control over siting, fees and design compatibility in residential areas.
The resolution passed at committee and will be forwarded to the full county board and to the county's federal delegation, as recommended by committee members.
