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Madison County Board denies 155-foot cell-tower variance after public comment
Summary
After public comments both for and against a 155-foot monopole near Alton, the Madison County Board adopted the Planning & Development Committee’s recommendation to deny the height variance, voting 25–0. Residents had raised concerns about flooding, property values and stormwater management; an AT&T representative said the site would improve coverage for nearby schools and highways.
The Madison County Board on Dec. 16 denied a request to build a 155‑foot telecommunications monopole in an R‑1 district near Union School Road in Alton, adopting the Planning & Development Committee’s recommendation by a 25–0 vote.
The petition (Z20‑0063), filed by Network Real Estate on behalf of TLF Communications/AT&T, sought a variance from the 75‑foot height limit to install a 155‑foot monopole. In public comments and written submissions, nearby residents argued the rezoning and tower would reduce property values and risk increased stormwater impacts. A petition in opposition, read into the record, said neighbors have experienced flooding they attribute to failures in previously promised stormwater management and opposed converting farmland or residential land for commercial uses.
Jake Gain, representing Network Real Estate on behalf of AT&T, said the company’s network analysis identified coverage gaps around Humbert Road, Union School Road and Seminary Road and that a taller site would improve service for Alton High School and surrounding neighborhoods. “AT&T strives to give communities the most service with the least impact,” Gain said in his submitted comment.
Board member Mike Walters told colleagues the area contains “dead zones” along I‑255 and near local schools and that the proposed site would help solve coverage problems for students and residents.
The Madison County Zoning Board of Appeals and the Planning & Development Committee reviewed the petition and recommended denial; the County Board adopted that recommendation. The outcome means the variance request is denied and the existing 75‑foot height limit remains in force for the parcel referenced in the petition.
The matter drew both formal public comment and statements from business groups; the North Alton Godfrey Business Council submitted a letter supporting improved cellular service. The board did not take additional action to direct staff to seek alternative sites or mitigation in that session.
The Planning & Development Committee will be the repository for any follow‑up if applicants pursue a revised site plan or alternative requests.
