Sauk Rapids Puts 1-Year Motatorium On New Data Towers

SAUK RAPIDS - The Sauk Rapids city council has put a one-year moratorium on any new data towers in the city.

Community Development Director Todd Schultz says right now towers are either not allowed in residential areas, or are strongly discouraged.  But Verizon Wireless has found a loophole in the ordinance that would allow them to build one tower near Trinity Lutheran Church on Mayhew Lake Road, and another near the Hillside Adult Education Center on Fourth Avenue South.

Schultz says the city has a maximum height for towers at 35-feet, but the proposed towers would be close to 100-feet.

City Attorney Adam Ripple says the moratorium gives the city time to develop a plan for the future.

Two Sauk Rapids residents attended the city council meeting, and spoke out against any new towers during the audience participation portion of the meeting.