PETITION TO OPPOSE CONSTRUCTION OF PROPOSED 

255-FOOT CELLULAR COMMUNICATION TOWER IN AN A- 

1 AGRICULTURAL DISTRICT 

Approximately 9500 South 150 West Fort Branch IN 47848

Gibson County, Indiana 

We, the undersigned residents, property owners, and concerned citizens of Gibson County and the surrounding area, respectfully petition the County to deny approval for the proposed 255-foot cellular communications tower planned within the A-1 Agricultural District and immediately adjacent to existing residences and family farms. 

A-1 AGRICULTURAL DISTRICT PURPOSE AND INTENT 

The stated purpose of the A-1 Agricultural District is generally to: 

• preserve and protect active agricultural land uses 
• support farm operations and rural homesteads maintain open rural landscapes 
• protect agricultural productivity and rural character 
• minimize conflicts between agricultural uses and incompatible non-agricultural development 

Residents and owners in A-1 districts rely on the stability of agricultural zoning to: 

• maintain farm operations 
• raise families in a quiet rural environment 
• protect views, wildlife habitat, and open skies 
• avoid encroachment from industrial or intensive commercial uses 

The introduction of a 255-foot telecommunications tower is not an agricultural use and represents an industrial-intensity utility structure that conflicts with the intended purpose of the A-1 Agricultural District. 

WHY A 255-FOOT TOWER IS INCOMPATIBLE WITH THE A-1 AGRICULTURAL DISTRICT 

1. Industrial/commercial intensity in a rural agricultural setting 

A 255-foot tower: 

• is permanent and visually dominant 
• requires lighting, equipment, and ongoing maintenance traffic introduces non-agricultural commercial infrastructure 

This is inconsistent with permitted agricultural uses such as: 

• crop production 
• livestock operations 
• farmsteads and homesteads 
• wildlife habitat preservation 

Allowing such structures within A-1 zones sets a precedent for industrial encroachment into agricultural land, undermining the district's intent. 

2. Negative impacts on agricultural operations 

The tower may interfere with normal agricultural activity by: 

• limiting aerial applications (crop dusting, aerial seeding, etc.) due to height hazards creating obstacles for large-field machinery and vehicle maneuvering producing shadowing, noise, and lighting near livestock and grazing areas 
• restricting future expansion of agricultural operations near the tower site 

Farmers should not bear long-term operational limitations caused by infrastructure unrelated to agriculture. 

3. Impacts on rural families and established homesteads 

The A-1 district is home to: 

• families with small children 
• generational farmsteads 
• residences relying on privacy and peaceful surroundings 

The tower's presence will: 

• alter established rural character 
• reduce privacy and peaceful enjoyment of property 
• introduce nighttime lighting visible across open farmland 
• increase vehicle traffic on rural roads not intended for commercial/industrial use 

Residents in an A-1 district reasonably expect agricultural neighbors, not industrial towers immediately adjacent to their homes. 

4. Property value and land-use conflict concerns 

Placement of a 255-foot tower: 

• may reduce surrounding property values 
• discourages future residential and agricultural investment 
• conflicts with expectations when land was purchased or developed under A-1 zoning 
• introduces a permanent industrial landmark into otherwise open agricultural landscapes 

This constitutes a land-use incompatibility between agricultural homes/farms and commercial utility infrastructure. 

5. Safety concerns in a rural agricultural community 

A 255-foot tower creates added risk within a district where: 

• children play outdoors 
• residents work in fields and open areas 
• severe weather is common 

Risks include: 

• fall-zone or collapse during storms 
• ice shedding in winter 
• lightning attraction 
• increased trespass/attractive nuisance risk for children 

These risks are not appropriate in close proximity to occupied agricultural residences. 

6. Long-Term Community Impacts and Precedent for Future Development 

Approval of a 255-foot cellular communications tower within the A-1 Agricultural District would not only affect current residents, but would also have lasting consequences for future families and agricultural landowners. Allowing an industrial-scale structure in this district creates a precedent that may encourage additional non-agricultural and incompatible developments. 

Such approval may: 

• open the door for future towers and similar industrial installations in agricultural areas 
• gradually transform agricultural districts away from their intended purpose increase pressure on landowners to accept additional infrastructure unrelated to farming 
• discourage families from moving into the community due to industrial encroachment 

• undermine confidence that agricultural zoning provides long-term stability and protection 

Future residents should be able to rely on the intent of the A-1 Agricultural District— that agricultural uses, rural homes, and open landscapes will be preserved. Incremental approvals of non-agricultural construction threaten that expectation and risk changing the character of the community over time. 

For these reasons, denying this tower at the proposed location is important not only for current residents, but for future generations who will live, work, and farm in this part of Gibson County. 

FORMAL REQUEST FOR ACTION 

Based on the reasons outlined above, we respectfully request that Gibson County officials and applicable governing bodies: 

• deny approval of the proposed 255-foot cellular communication tower within the A-1 Agricultural District, or 
• require relocation to an appropriate zoning district or site significantly farther from homes, farms, and established wildlife habitat. 

We specifically emphasize: 

• the clear purpose of the A-1 Agricultural District 
• incompatibility of industrial towers with agricultural and residential land uses impacts on family farms, property values, and children 
• interference with agricultural aviation and operations adverse effects on an established Purple Martin colony 

SIGNATURES OF OPPOSING RESIDENTS AND PROPERTY OWNERS 

By signing this petition, I affirm that I oppose construction of the proposed 255-foot tower in the A-1 Agricultural District at this location. 

There will be a Public Hearing at the Haubstadt Town Hall, Monday January 26th at 6:30pm to discuss this matter. The public is invited to attend.