At Monday’s hearing, residents cited concerns about property values, health effects, proximity to the Holland Air Park, and even the need for the tower. Holmen Public Works Director Dean Olson, representing the village, noted that Holmen and Holland have worked out a boundary agreement that calls for residential development of the area around the tower site, plans that would be jeopardized by erection of the tower.

“Clearly, it would be disappointing if La Crosse County would support any action that would jeopardize this future goal for the area of impact,” said Olson, who concluded by indicating the village might take legal action if the tower is approved.

But with the new regulations, local governments can no longer deny wireless tower permits solely for aesthetic reasons, limit the height of towers to under 200 feet, or require that antennas and structures be placed on public property, such as water towers.

Local officials can deny a tower permit if the applicant does not investigate “co-location” – putting equipment on another provider’s tower – but there are few other options local governments can turn to for preventing erection of a telecommunications tower. They also can’t prohibit towers from going in specific locations and they can’t force companies to do environmental testing or require monitoring for radio frequency emissions.