Planning Commission recommends approval of 300-foot cell tower south of Hwy 6/34

The Kearney County Joint Planning Commission recommended approval May 18 of a Special Use Permit application for a 300-foot telecommunications tower to be sited roughly ½ mile south of Highway 6/34 on 39 Road.

Kearney County Zoning Administrator Carrie Favinger summarized the application as “the application and engineering plan to construct a 300 ft self-supporting telecommunication tower within a 75’ x 75’ x 6’ fenced compound with access off O Road.” The application was filed by The Grinnell Group on behalf of Jurgensmier Farms, Inc., and The Towers (Vertical Bridge); written notice was sent to landowners within one mile and the Village of Heartwell was notified by paper and email.

Darren Hunter, speaking on behalf of The Grinnell Group, provided further technical details and answered questions about design, engineering, siting and potential interference. After public comment was closed, the commission discussed consistency with zoning and the county comprehensive plan.

Commissioner Terry Buettner moved and Patty Lundeen seconded a motion to recommend approval of the Special Use Permit to the County Commissioners. The motion cited four findings: no rezoning required; conformance with regulation 5.14 #4; the tower would not change the character of the district; and alignment with the comprehensive plan’s directive to “encourage and promote the development and use of broadband and telecommunication technologies throughout Rural Kearney County, with an emphasis for provisions in the underserved areas of Kearney County.”

The recommendation passed with Ayes from Dawn Thompson, Terry Buettner, John Harris, Kevin Raun, Patty Lundeen and Jody Casper. Bennett Petersen and Malcom Dornhoff voted Nay. Tom Anderson was absent. The commission’s recommendation now goes to the Kearney County Board of Commissioners for final action.