Cedarburg, Wisconsin – Neighbors in the town of Cedarburg said they opposed the construction of cell towers on the nature preserve. One homeowner said the town council had made significant changes on the issue.
Happy Valley Nature Park is one of the attractions in Cedarburg.
“There are all kinds of bike lanes. Lots of people use it,” Brian Marquardt said.
This was the main reason Marquardt built his home nearly nine years ago.
“It’s a great neighborhood. Small town,” Marquardt said.
But now Marquardt worries that if the town council approves a 150-foot cell phone tower, that tranquility will be replaced by technology.
“We don’t want to live under this tower. It’s going to affect our property values,” Marquardt said.
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Neighbors who live within 1,000 feet of the project were notified by mail, Marquardt said, but he said the notification was sent a few weeks ago.
“The meeting was held on the 23rd,” Marquardt said.
“Still January?” asked FOX6’s Bret Lemoine.
“Yes,” Marquardt replied.
Records show the town planning board recommended the town council approve the project.
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“History tells us something different. In 2017, they fought one of the towers,” Marquardt said.
Marquardt read from an old newsletter that one of the town supervisors boasted that the board had successfully rejected an application for a similar tower.
“Putting a metal tower in the middle of a scenic area would be detrimental to public health, safety and general welfare,” Marquardt said.
City Council will vote on the new tower on Wednesday, February 2. 1. Marquardt wants leaders to communicate his message loud and clear.
“I want them to listen to us. I want our concerns to be heard. I want the public to know more about this,” Marquardt said.
FOX6 News reached out to all of the town of Cedarburg supervisors via email. No one responded. The town administrator referred us to the town’s prosecutor—again, no answer.
If approved, Dish Network would be the first company to use the tower.