KCOnline Tower Plan Hits Zoning Snag
July 28, 2016 at 4:25 p.m.
A request to erect an 80-foot tower in downtown Warsaw has run into a snag for a local Internet service provider.
KCOnline, which operates its technical center out of a building along Winona Avenue in Warsaw, is seeking to install an antenna, but at least one property owner questioned the plan Monday during a board of zoning appeals meeting.
The issue was not resolved, but members of the board are left with a perplexing choice.
KCOnline needs the tower next to its equipment, which includes two T-1 cable lines and hundreds of phone lines. Relocating the equipment would cost thousands of dollars and would be a "logistical nightmare," said company president John Webster.
The property is located at 302 E. Winona Ave.
But a neighbor, Bret Wolf, said the tower would be an aesthetic intrusion to his property, and cited other concerns. The tower would be about 15 feet from his breezeway door.
Wolf also voiced concerns about parking problems attributed to KCOnline and said he's concerned about possible health dangers from the microwave transmissions.
Webster admitted there had been some troubles with parking, but did not address the health concern.
Wolf and another family member own adjacent properties next to where the tower would be located.
Webster said he also heard from another neighbor who questioned whether the tower would interfere with satellite dish transmissions for his TV. Webster said that would not be a problem.
Webster said use of the tower would allow the company to provide wireless transmissions and avoid the cost and need to work with phone companies.
WaveOne, a competitor of KCOnline, uses wireless transmissions.
The board, which was short one member, attempted to vote to deny the request and to table the request, but couldn't muster enough votes on either motion. As a result, the board will hear the request next month.
One board member asked if the company would need to return in the future for more expansion at the same site.
Warsaw plan director Pat Hudson suggested KCOnline bring information to the next meeting about health concerns and long-range plans. [[In-content Ad]]
A request to erect an 80-foot tower in downtown Warsaw has run into a snag for a local Internet service provider.
KCOnline, which operates its technical center out of a building along Winona Avenue in Warsaw, is seeking to install an antenna, but at least one property owner questioned the plan Monday during a board of zoning appeals meeting.
The issue was not resolved, but members of the board are left with a perplexing choice.
KCOnline needs the tower next to its equipment, which includes two T-1 cable lines and hundreds of phone lines. Relocating the equipment would cost thousands of dollars and would be a "logistical nightmare," said company president John Webster.
The property is located at 302 E. Winona Ave.
But a neighbor, Bret Wolf, said the tower would be an aesthetic intrusion to his property, and cited other concerns. The tower would be about 15 feet from his breezeway door.
Wolf also voiced concerns about parking problems attributed to KCOnline and said he's concerned about possible health dangers from the microwave transmissions.
Webster admitted there had been some troubles with parking, but did not address the health concern.
Wolf and another family member own adjacent properties next to where the tower would be located.
Webster said he also heard from another neighbor who questioned whether the tower would interfere with satellite dish transmissions for his TV. Webster said that would not be a problem.
Webster said use of the tower would allow the company to provide wireless transmissions and avoid the cost and need to work with phone companies.
WaveOne, a competitor of KCOnline, uses wireless transmissions.
The board, which was short one member, attempted to vote to deny the request and to table the request, but couldn't muster enough votes on either motion. As a result, the board will hear the request next month.
One board member asked if the company would need to return in the future for more expansion at the same site.
Warsaw plan director Pat Hudson suggested KCOnline bring information to the next meeting about health concerns and long-range plans. [[In-content Ad]]