by April Scheinoha
Reporter

The Thief River Falls skyline may look a little different in the future. At its meeting Tuesday, Jan. 21, the Thief River Falls City Council scheduled a public hearing to consider amending the city ordinance regarding the height of towers.

The public hearing has been scheduled for Tuesday, Feb. 18 at 5:30 p.m. at City Hall.
The amendment is being considered because Wikstrom Telephone Company is requesting to construct a 350-foot tower to replace its current 200-foot tower north of Arctic Cat. Nearby property owners are expected to receive letters notifying them about the public hearing.

The base of Wikstrom Telephone Company’s current tower is sinking, so the tower needs to be replaced. The additional height would enable Minnkota Power to add microwave to their power plants in northwest Minnesota from Crookston, according to information provided to the council. Minnkota Power has indicated that it would build its own tower if Wikstrom Telephone Company is unable to accommodate its tower height requirements. As of right now, the tower currently serves Wiktel internet services, T-Mobile and ham radio.

Currently, city ordinance limits the maximum height to 200 feet. If the council were to approve amending the ordinance to allow a taller tower, Wikstrom Telephone Company would still need to apply for a conditional use permit.

City code also stipulates that commercial wireless telecommunication service towers shall have a monopole design unless city officials determine “that an alternative design would accommodate co-location of additional antennas or would better blend into the surrounding environment.” Wikstrom Telephone Company is planning for a tripod design, not a monopole design like its current tower.

During Tuesday’s council meeting, council member Michele McCraw asked about liability in the event the tower falls.

Brian Wikstrom, representing Wikstrom Telephone Company, said the tower will be designed to fall onto the business’ property.

McCraw responded that it is designed that way, but she again asked about liability in the event it fell onto a resident’s home.

Wikstrom replied that the business has insurance which would cover that situation.

Council member Steve Narverud serves on the Planning Commission. He noted that Airport Manager Joe Hedrick had previously stated fewer towers are nice around airports, especially when pilots are navigating the area’s tough weather. Narverud indicated that would be a positive aspect.

Narverud voiced his concerns about installing a taller tower. He said he has heard both sides, including one side indicating there is already a tower there and it’s a difference of a few feet.

However, Narverud noted it’s a different design and residents will also be looking out their windows at a taller tower. He said the tower would hopefully fall upon itself if it were to fall down. Narverud indicated that he is concerned for the neighbors and would like them to see the design.

Wikstrom replied that the proposed tower will be aesthetically identical to the State of Minnesota’s tower. Nearby residents will still see a tower outside of their homes, said Wikstrom, who noted the tripod design will also feature less infrastructure like guy wires.