Neighbors oppose 199‑ft Vertical Bridge tower; Planning Commission narrowly recommends approval

The Morrison County Planning Commission on April 14 recommended approval of a conditional use permit for a 199‑ft telecommunications tower proposed by Vertical Bridge on parcel owned by the Vernig Revocable Trust in Pierce Township. The recommendation to the County Board passed with a split vote.

County staff and the applicant, Alex Truman of Vertical Bridge, described the site as an 80‑acre parcel immediately east of the Pierce city limits. The application proposes a 195‑ft self‑supported tower with a 4‑ft lightning rod (199 ft total) and a 75‑by‑75‑foot fenced equipment compound; Vertical Bridge reported it submitted required FAA materials and that no lighting was required. Alex said the FAA did not require notice for this location.

Neighbors raised multiple concerns during the public hearing and in a written letter read into the record. ‘‘We are writing this letter to express our deep concern regarding the proposed tower,’’ the written submission stated, listing questions about property values, health and safety, testing and reporting of emissions, emergency access, wildlife and migratory pathways, and potential impacts to eagle nesting.

Katie Boeser, who spoke at the hearing, summarized the public’s concerns: "My real concerns are about necessity, intentions, and policy change." She asked for greater transparency, advance neighborhood outreach, and suggested requiring applicants to fund local radiation meters or reporting standards for resident reassurance. Her spouse, Jaron Bowser, said the tower’s constant operation raises long‑term safety and property‑value concerns, and Eileen Poelkamp asked about potential effects on schoolchildren.

Alex Truman responded that radio‑frequency emissions and wildlife impacts are regulated at federal and state levels, that carriers must test and report emissions to the FCC, and that Vertical Bridge provided a third‑party engineering letter and NEPA‑style environmental review taking bird flight paths and nesting into account. He said site selection balances height, obstructions, wetlands and network modeling needs.

Alex offered a technical comparison intended to address health questions: "the tower measured at the base will be at 50% of what the FCC's allowable amount is," and later in discussion cited lower percentages in answering hypothetical threshold questions; commissioners noted some inconsistency in the specific percentage cited during the exchange. The applicant also said monthly generator testing would produce noise below 65 decibels and that removal obligations exist if the facility becomes obsolete.

Commissioners were divided on whether the tower would be detrimental to immediate neighboring property enjoyment. Several commissioners expressed disappointment that the applicant did not directly consult adjacent landowners before filing; others emphasized county zoning that concentrates towers in rural areas and noted public‑safety and connectivity benefits for residents and first responders.

A motion to recommend approval to the Morrison County Board passed (three yes, two no). The item will be presented to the County Board at its April 21, 2026 meeting for final action.

Because the commission’s recommendation was not unanimous, neighbors who wish to challenge or appeal the decision should attend the county board hearing on April 21, 2026 when the board considers the matter.