Cedarburg cellphone tower in nature preserve approved

Cedarburg proposed cellphone tower; swapping tranquility for technology?

Neighbors in the town of Cedarburg say they are against a proposed cellphone tower being built in a nature preserve. One homeowner says the town board did a major flip-flop on the issue.

TOWN OF CEDARBURG, Wis. - The Cedarburg Town Board voted Wednesday, Feb. 1 to approve a cellphone tower in a nature preserve.

One homeowner said the board did a major flip-flop on the issue.

Pleasant Valley Nature Park is a big draw in Cedarburg.

"There are all kinds of biking trails. Lots of people use this," said Brian Marquardt.

Brian Marquardt

It is the main reason Marquardt built his home close by nine years ago.

"It’s a great community. Small town," Marquardt said.

Marquardt said he's worried some of that tranquility will be replaced with technology – a 150-foot cellphone tower.

"We don’t want to live underneath this tower. It’s going to affect our property values," Marquardt said.

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Marquardt said neighbors living within 1,000 feet of the project were notified by mail, but he said that notification only came weeks ago.

"The meeting was on the 23rd," Marquardt said.

"Of January?" asked FOX6's Bret Lemoine.

"Yes," Marquardt replied.

Records show the town planning commission recommended the town board approve the project.

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"History tells us something different. In 2017, they fought against one of these towers," Marquardt said.

Marquardt read from an old newsletter where a town supervisor bragged about the board successfully denying an application for a similar tower.

"Dropping the metal tower in the middle of a beautiful and scenic area would be detrimental to public health, safety and general welfare," Marquardt said.

Ahead of the vote, Marquardt said he was hopeful leaders would get his message loud and clear.

"I hope they listen to us. I hope our concerns are heard. I hope the public is made a little more aware of it," Marquardt said.

FOX6 News reached out to all Town of Cedarburg supervisors by email the day before the vote. No one responded. The town administrator referred us to the town's attorney – and again, no reply.

Dish Network will be the first company to use the tower.