St. Joseph County Area Board of Zoning Appeals delays request for proposed cellular tower

ST. JOSEPH COUNTY, Ind. (WNDU) - Plans to put an outsized cellular tower near the Indiana-Michigan state line failed to move forward Wednesday.

The St. Joseph County Area Board of Zoning Appeals instead tabled a request by developers to construct the 275-foot tower.

There was a large crowd on hand at Wednesday afternoon’s meeting to voice their concerns.

“We want to hear what the facts are, and as we understand it. The tower has no significance for Indiana and South Bend. Why should we have a tower located there to obstruct our view, reduce our home value. Right in our own neighborhood,” said Robert Stachowiak, a Clay Township resident.

The tower would have a capacity far beyond the typical cellular tower. It would handle vast amounts of data for financial transactions between Chicago and New. York.

The developers are asking the county council to approve a structure that would be 75 feet taller than is ordinarily allowed. Usually, such structures are limited to 200 feet.

Critics say the tower would provide absolutely no benefit to our region.

The board tabled the developers’ request, which frustrated residents who turned out for this specific issue.

The residents stood outside the council chambers after they learned the agenda item they came to listen to and learn about was tabled until next month’s meeting.

“It is unfortunate to sit through a whole meeting and something gets tabled, but the benefit is all these people were able to come together. They are meeting each other, networking. That’s good for them,” said St. Joseph County Councilmember Amy Drake.

Drake represents Clay Township on the council. She’s a hard no on the proposed tower.

“This isn’t the average cell tower. It’s a wireless tower for financial networks, serving private interest,” Drake explained. “So, the bad thing about this is that it is going to impact a lot of neighbors very negatively. They got to see this big tower in their landscape, and they are very worried it is going to affect their property value, and I understand that.

“As their elected representative, I want to be able to keep those values up,” she continued. “It is not only good for them, but it is good for the county. We collect our tax dollars from our neighbors here. It’s a lose-lose to have this tower up.”

There are many steps the proposed tower will need to go through before approval.

The Area Board of Zoning Appeals meeting was only step one, and again the board tabled the request.