Midwest Energy was given the go-ahead Monday morning to proceed with a plan to bolster its communications after the Barton County Commission approved conditional use permits allowing the construction of three radio towers.
The first is a 160-foot tower at Midwest’s existing Ellinwood substation which will be located at 194 NE 80 Ave. The second is a 195-foot tower at its Heizer substation on land Midwest leases from National Gas Pipeline of Houston, Texas, at 834 NW 40 Road. The third is a 160-foot tower at its existing Great Bend North substation, at 303 NW 40 Road.
On Aug. 9, the Barton County Planning Commission held a public hearing to consider an application submitted by Midwest Energy Inc. for conditional land use permits to build communications towers at three locations in the county. In all cases, the sites are zoned as agricultural district and a communications tower is listed as a conditional use, said Zoning Administrator Judy Goreham.
The Planning Commission recommended the permits be approved Goreham said. However, there was one condition, which Midwest agreed to adhere to.
County zoning regulations require that a tower height not be greater than its distance from the property line. In two cases here, the towers will be in the corner of the lots, thus not meeting this rule.
But, Goreham said the Planning Commission offered a chance for Midwest to provide certificates of insurance and/or lease agreements with adjacent property owners. The company was more than willing to do so.
And, she said, the only comments from other landowners were positive.