Radio Tower
FM radio station WBKY, previously located in Portage, WI, would like to move to Stoughton, WI. They proposed building 488-foot guyed lattice antenna structure and equipment shelter in the Town of Rutland on property owned by Stoughton Farms south of 3768 Old Stage Road. The tower was to be adjacent to a gravel pit, tucked into a grove of trees nearly equidistant from Old Stage Road,North Union road, Union-Dane Road, and Shady Willow Road.
Obtaining local approval to construct the tower site was the final step in WBKY's quest to move its station. According to code, the applicant must address a public interest evaluation showing the balance between the environmental and visual impact of the tower compared to other positve and mitigating factors.
A public hearing was held on February 17, 2011 at the Town Hall to discuss this issue. Ultimately the Town Board turned down the application. Their decision was supported by the Dane County Board in August, 2011.
Supporting documents for proposed radio tower
Public Hearing Notice
Town of Rutland Tower Siting Ordinance
Engineering Statement for Proposed WBKY Tower Site #2157
Conditional Use Permit Application Materials
Longley-Rice Coverage Maps
Magnum Towers Survey August 2, 2010
Stoughton FCC Report and Order
FCC FM Broadcast Station Construction Permit
Tower Zoning Drawings
Tower Photo Simulations
Frequently Asked Questions of the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (USFWS)
USFWS Siting Guidelines
Magnum No Effect Determination to FCC
Map showing properties adjacent to tower site
Bare Ground Viewshed Analysis from FWS and USGS
Photos of Selected towers 400-500' in Dane County
Link to Dane County webpages discussing this issue
Consulting Engineer's Response to questions posed by Town of Rutland
WBKY-FM Tower Zone Drawings
WBKY-FM Tower Photo Simulations
WBKY Adjacent Property Structures
Question List for the April Meeting: Composite Final
Town Board Action Report--Conditional Use Permit Pg. 1
Action Report p. 2: Findings of Fact for Denied Conditional Use Permit
Denial Appeal to Dane County Board by Magnum Communications
- Brad Czebotar, McFarland Village President: Board believes station would bring significant benefits to the area
- Jon Hochkammer, Mayor of Verona, WI: Supports building of tower because of significant positive impacts
- Dale Burke, Oregon Police Department: Has the potential to be a valuable addition for each of our public safety entities
- Gregory Leck, Stoughton Police Department: Both this tower and radio station would be a great public safety asset
- Donna Bradley, Alliant Energy: This installation will not cause any stray voltage issues.
- Clifford Groth, Broadcast Engineering Service: Stray voltage on farm not caused by radio transmitter
- Thomas & Kelly Bethke: The tower would be a complete and total eye sore
- Robert & Janet Krenz: Protect against property devaluation and preserve our agricultural community by denying the petition
- Martin Lamers, Stoughton Fire Department: Supports the tower in the interest of public safety for the 200,000 people that will be served
- Donna Olson, Mayor of Stoughton: Approval of the tower will provide many postive impacts for our smaller communities outside of Madison
Previously published information:
- Notice of Public Hearing on proposed rezoning petition
- Kevin Shea: FM Antenna Siting and Wisconsin State Law: Local government approval still needed
- Kevin Shea: Unconstitutional statute that limits local government
- Kevin Shea: Proposed rezoning and CUP: statute should be overturned by the courts
- Jessica Hutson Polakowski: Tower request not in compliance with County and town ordinances and state statute
- Michael Screnock: Cover letter from Magnum Communications lawyer re memo discussing new state law affecting tower
- William White and Michael Screnock: Memo from lawyers explaining how new state law affects proposed Magnum tower
- Question regarding potential of ice falling from proposed tower
- Oregon Observer Article: "Radio tower debate returns to spotlight"
- Engineering statement prepared for Dane County
- Staff Report: Dane County Zoning and Land regulation Committee
- Application and background materials prepared for Dane County Zoning and Land Regulation committee