Plan commission approves conditional use permit for 150‑foot radio monopole to serve energy center

The Onalaska Plan Commission on March 24 approved a conditional‑use permit allowing construction of a 150‑foot radio telecommunications monopole to serve the Excel Energy service center at 4119 Berlin Drive.

City planning staff presented the application submitted by Northern States Power Company and described the submitted structural design report and project plans. Staff said telecommunication structures are permitted only by conditional use, that the city "has no basis for denial" in this case but that it had found grounds to impose conditions. The commission read four conditions into the record, including requirements for payment of fees and review and approval of plans before building permits, recordation of binding conditions on the property, compliance with city codes, and a five‑year review of the conditional use.

No members of the public spoke for or against the proposal during three calls for comment. Commissioners asked staff to confirm the tower’s location on the southeastern portion of the site in an existing large parking area and queried whether state rules limit municipal denials of telecommunications towers; staff answered that applicants may seek a conditional use permit and that denial is appropriate only when no reasonable conditions could allow the use.

Commissioner Eric moved to approve the conditional use permit with the four conditions listed in the staff packet; the motion was seconded by Commissioner Jim and passed.

The permit will require the applicant to satisfy the conditions and record any required documents before obtaining building or occupancy permits.