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Proposed 445‑foot communications tower draws widespread opposition; BZA continues review to June 16
Summary
Iron Mountain Towers requested a special exception for a 445‑foot tower; neighbors cited visual, wildlife and well‑water concerns and asked for photo simulations and more materials. The board continued the petition to June 16 to allow the applicant to provide additional documentation.
Iron Mountain Towers representative Derek McGrew told LaPorte County’s Board of Zoning Appeals on May 19 that a 445‑foot communications tower is needed to carry long‑range point‑to‑point signals across the region for financial‑market and related communications. The applicant said the FAA issued a “no hazard” finding for the proposed structure and provided a stamped fall‑zone letter.
Dozens of neighbors turned out to oppose the tower’s proposed height and location. Speakers said the tower would be visually dominant along a scenic stretch of 1000 North, could affect wetlands and migrating birds, might harm nearby private wells and livestock, and raised undeveloped concerns about the effects of high‑frequency transmissions. “A 449‑foot tower in my backyard... Would you want to look at that in your backyard? Absolutely not,” one remonstrator said.
Petitioner argued the site meets required setbacks and that the proposed structure would enable improved long‑distance communications; the applicant also submitted a colocation affidavit and a fall‑zone engineering letter. The board voted 3–2 to continue the petition to the June 16 meeting and asked the applicant to provide photo simulations, environmental materials and engineering documentation for public review in advance of the continued hearing.
Next steps: Applicant to submit photo simulations, environmental and engineering materials to the Building Commissioner and make them available to the public before the June 16 hearing.
