Pleasant Prairie residents fight 145ft cell tower near homes

Neighbors say they were shocked by the proposal and worry about property values and health impacts.

Mar. 27, 2026 at 2:19am

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Residents in Pleasant Prairie, Wisconsin are fighting against a proposed 145-foot cell tower that would be built on church property directly across from their homes. The neighbors say they were never informed about the plan and are concerned about the potential impact on property values and health, especially for the nearby school. While the village says it may be required to approve the tower if the application meets state and federal requirements, the residents say they will continue to speak out against the proposal.

Why it matters

This case highlights the tensions that can arise between the need for improved cell coverage and the concerns of local residents about the placement of large cell towers near their homes and communities. It also demonstrates the limited authority that local governments often have over the approval of wireless infrastructure under current state and federal laws.

The details

A 145-foot monopole cell tower has been proposed to be built on church property directly across from homes in Pleasant Prairie, Wisconsin. Residents say they were shocked by the plan and never heard about it beforehand. They have gone door-to-door with a petition and say every neighbor they spoke with opposes the tower. Concerns include potential negative impacts on property values and health risks, especially for the nearby school on the church's property. While the village says the current application is incomplete and on hold, they may be required to approve the tower if the application meets state and federal requirements, despite the strong local opposition.

  • The cell tower proposal was recently made to the Village of Pleasant Prairie.

The players

Dave Stachon

A Pleasant Prairie resident who says the neighborhood was shocked by the cell tower proposal and never heard about it beforehand.

Diane Krueger

A Pleasant Prairie resident who is concerned about the health impacts of the cell tower, especially on the nearby school children.

Cheryl Turner

A Pleasant Prairie resident who has lived in her home for over 30 years and is deeply concerned about having a 145-foot cell tower just 100 yards from her house.

Village of Pleasant Prairie

The local government authority that has received the cell tower application, which they say is currently incomplete and on hold, but they may be required to approve if the application meets state and federal requirements.

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What they’re saying

“We were shocked that this was happening, and we never heard anything about it. People pick a place to live, a house, a home, it's a big investment. All of a sudden boom — a cell tower is going right in.”

— Dave Stachon, Pleasant Prairie resident

“We were so concerned about the health issues with young children being bombarded with this. Of course, as we age and want to sell these houses, it's been proven that it will affect our property values.”

— Diane Krueger, Pleasant Prairie resident

“My house is right over here, and 100 yards from my house is going to be the 5G tower — which I'm very concerned about. This property has been here 80 years plus, and now to have this going on.”

— Cheryl Turner, Pleasant Prairie resident

What’s next

The Village of Pleasant Prairie says the current cell tower application is incomplete and on hold, but if a complete application is received that meets state and federal requirements, they may be required to approve it despite the strong local opposition.

The takeaway

This case highlights the challenges local communities can face in trying to have a say over the placement of large wireless infrastructure like cell towers, even when there are significant concerns from residents about property values, health impacts, and the character of their neighborhoods.