Members of the
Porter County Plan Commission’s Development Review Committee granted a
request to raise a 190-foot mono pole cell tower on the same parcel of land
where the former Pines Ski Hill resort used to be at 674 N. Meridian Rd. in
Liberty Twp.
The applicant and
property owner Chris Marshall did not attend the meeting Wednesday morning
but County Planner Kristy Marsco told her colleagues on the board that the
plans fall within the regulations of the County’s development standards.
Given recent policy changes by the Plan Commission, all cell towers must be
approved by the committee even if compliant, she said.
“This is just
procedure,” she said.
The tower would be
on the northwest side of the 36-acre property away from the buildings and
former ski lodge. There is an access road connecting to Meridian Rd. that
leads to it.
Marsco said that
monopoles less than 200 feet tall are permitted. They are also required to
blend into the natural environment and must not be located within any
residential subdivision.
The site is zoned
P-2 Parks and Recreation.
Committee member
and County Highway Superintendent Al Hoagland said he had no problems with
the request since it would not interfere with the roadway.
County Surveyor
Kevin Breitzke said there is no legal drain on the property but advised that
drainage tile be repaired appropriately if it is cut.
Marsco said
Marshall had applied for the cell tower with the County Board of Zoning
Appeals at least five years ago but the board denied his request.
Marshall went to
court to get the decision overruled and was successful but did not retry the
request until now.