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Newsweb Corp Wants OK For More 6 Radio Towers

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Posted by chicagomedia.org on March 05, 2008 at 08:12:50:

(From the Chicago Tribune)

One of the nation's top donors to the Democratic Party wants to put up six 300-foot AM radio transmission towers in Republican-dominated Will County.

Newsweb Corp. owner Fred Eychaner needs several county variances, and the first step is scheduled for Tuesday, when his proposal for a 53-acre site just outside Joliet goes before the Will County Planning and Zoning Commission.

Eychaner, a Chicagoan who gave $4 million to Democratic candidates in 2004, needs variances from the 200-foot height restriction on towers and the requirement that structures be built no closer than 75 feet to a flood plain. His company also is seeking a special-use permit allowing flood plain development at U.S. Highway 6 near Pilcher Park.

Representing Newsweb is attorney Cass Wennlund, son of former Republican state Rep. Larry Wennlund and brother-in-law of Cory Singer (R-Frankfort), vice chairman of the County Board's Land Use Committee.

The changes would enable Eychaner and his WNDZ Land Co. to construct a service building and three access roads. The application argues that allowing the towers to be 300 feet high is consistent with federal and state regulations.

Newsweb operates AM stations WNDZ, WCSN, WAIT, WSBC and WCFJ, as well as WRZA-FM in Chicago. Also applying for the variance are NWB Real Estate Co., which owns part of the site, and the law firm DLA Piper US LLP.

The tower proposals are supported by the Federal Aviation Administration, the Army Corps of Engineers, the Illinois Department of Natural Resources and Will County's land use department. County staff note that the six towers would operate the federal and state Emergency Alert System and that except for the radio towers, the land would be open space.

But officials in Joliet say the towers would blight the skyline.

"Do we need six more blinking lights on the horizon?" asked Community and Economic Development Director Jim Haller. Residents of Joliet's nearby Park Hill subdivision also worry about the health effects of radio waves and elechicagomedia.orgonic transmissions emitted by the towers, he said.

Joliet officials routinely comment on county zoning requests within 1 1/2 miles of the city's limits.

The Planning and Zoning Commission meets at 6:30 p.m. in the county office building in Joliet. The Land Use and Zoning Committee and the full board also will consider the application.

Twenty of the County Board's 27 members are Republicans.

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: (From the Chicago Tribune) : One of the nation's top donors to the Democratic Party wants to put up six 300-foot AM radio transmission towers in Republican-dominated Will County. : Newsweb Corp. owner Fred Eychaner needs several county variances, and the first step is scheduled for Tuesday, when his proposal for a 53-acre site just outside Joliet goes before the Will County Planning and Zoning Commission. : Eychaner, a Chicagoan who gave $4 million to Democratic candidates in 2004, needs variances from the 200-foot height restriction on towers and the requirement that structures be built no closer than 75 feet to a flood plain. His company also is seeking a special-use permit allowing flood plain development at U.S. Highway 6 near Pilcher Park. : Representing Newsweb is attorney Cass Wennlund, son of former Republican state Rep. Larry Wennlund and brother-in-law of Cory Singer (R-Frankfort), vice chairman of the County Board's Land Use Committee. : The changes would enable Eychaner and his WNDZ Land Co. to construct a service building and three access roads. The application argues that allowing the towers to be 300 feet high is consistent with federal and state regulations. : Newsweb operates AM stations WNDZ, WCSN, WAIT, WSBC and WCFJ, as well as WRZA-FM in Chicago. Also applying for the variance are NWB Real Estate Co., which owns part of the site, and the law firm DLA Piper US LLP. : The tower proposals are supported by the Federal Aviation Administration, the Army Corps of Engineers, the Illinois Department of Natural Resources and Will County's land use department. County staff note that the six towers would operate the federal and state Emergency Alert System and that except for the radio towers, the land would be open space. : But officials in Joliet say the towers would blight the skyline. : "Do we need six more blinking lights on the horizon?" asked Community and Economic Development Director Jim Haller. Residents of Joliet's nearby Park Hill subdivision also worry about the health effects of radio waves and elechicagomedia.orgonic transmissions emitted by the towers, he said. : Joliet officials routinely comment on county zoning requests within 1 1/2 miles of the city's limits. : The Planning and Zoning Commission meets at 6:30 p.m. in the county office building in Joliet. The Land Use and Zoning Committee and the full board also will consider the application. : Twenty of the County Board's 27 members are Republicans.

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