Kimball Township Planning Commission
Kimball Township Municipal Office
2160 Wadhams Rd, Kimball Michigan
Planning Hearing/Regular Meeting Minutes
January 28, 2025
Meeting was called to order at 6:30pm with the Pledge of Allegiance
ROLL CALL: Present: Barrett, Tuttle, Howard, Lokers ABSENT: Orr, Miller, Henry
Quorum Achieved
Temporary Chair needed as Mr. Orr couldn’t make it. Barrett made a motion to approve of Mr. Howard as Temporary Chair. Seconded by Mr. Lokers. Roll Call vote: all yes, motion carries.
APPROVAL OF AGENDA
Motion made by Barrett to approve the agenda, seconded by Tuttle. Roll call vote: all yes, Agenda approved.
APPROVAL OF MINUTES
Motion made by Barrett to approve minutes from November 26, 2025, with grammar and spelling corrections. Seconded by Tuttle. Roll call vote: all yes, Minutes approved.
HEARING
Howard opens the hearing at 6:34pm with a second by Lokers. Hearing begins.
Brian Monaghan, Attorney at Law, introduced himself and spoke on behalf of PBM Wireless Services in regard to asking for a special exception use. PBM would like to put up a monopole cell tower located at 2830 Bartlett Road to fill in the gap of cell service in the area. This tower would be a 5G tower. The tower would be a new building and the reason for its need is because the tower that is closest is still too far away to fill in the gap of service.
Lokers asked if there would be any health issues because it was a 5G tower. Monaghan explained that they were well under the federal guidelines in regard to exposure. Based on a ruling of the FCC in 2015, a cell tower cannot be prevented if within the Federal guidelines.
When asked about access, there would be an access drive that will be leased by the property owner.
Public Comment:
Cheryl Struble: Have all the residents around the tower been notified? How many are they going to be putting up in the future?
Denise Forestner spoke on behalf of Wadhams Baptist Church with concerns about 5G health concerns with children in and around the area.
Monaghan spoke on the guidelines and how they would be well under what is considered safe, and that many poles are put up near schools.
Michele Erdman, a resident, spoke in favor of the tower. She was happy to see service in that area. Has experienced drop calls.
Barrett asked how the pole was going to be fenced off and had concern over using barbed wire. PGM Wireless stated they would work with the township on how to make sure the fencing looks good.
Barrett Closed the Hearing at 7:30pm, seconded by Tuttle
NEW BUSINESS
Barrett made the motion to approve PBM Wireless Service’s application for a Special Exception Use for a 195 ft monopole with conditions of the removal of barbed wire on the fencing. Seconded by Tuttle. Roll call vote: All Yes, Motion approved.
Barrett wanted to note regarding Section 20.406 not being met (3-mile distance). The policy has been overruled by the FCC 2025 ruling mentioned by Monaghan.
Barrett moved to add site plan for PBM Wireless on next agenda. Tuttle Second Motion Carried.
OLD BUSINESS
Master Plan will be brought up at the KTBT meeting on Feb 4, 2025, meeting.
AUDIENCE PARTICIPATION
Cheryl Struble: What are you doing about the Solar Farm?
Howard: Not a whole lot can be done. Explained that the state has power not the townships.
REPORTS
Orr-Absent
Lokers: Business as usual
ADJOURNEMENT- 7:29pm Motion by Barrett, Seconded by Tuttle
