(KNZA)--The Doniphan County Commission has denied zoning change requests that would have allowed for the construction of two Verizon Wireless towers in the county.

The Commission took the action Monday following public hearings.

The first zoning change request was for property located at 518 North Centre Street in Troy that would have allowed for the construction of a 190-foot cell tower.

County Clerk Peggy Franken presented the Commission with a petition in opposition to the zoning change filed on behalf of 13 adjoining property owners. Also six adjoining property owners spoke in opposition to the request.

Paul Greeley, Selective Site Services Representative, spoke in favor of the zoning change. He said there are no health effects caused by telecommunication towers within a distance of up 200 feet from the tower site, and there are Kansas statutory regulations on cell towers. Charles “ Ken” Huss, who owns the property where the cell tower was to be constructed, spoke in favor of the zoning change as well.

The second zoning change request was for property located at 1141 Tioga Road, in rural Wathena, and would have allowed for the construction of a 150-foot cell tower.

An adjoining property owner spoke in opposition to the zoning change.

Both zoning change requests were denied on 2-1 votes, with Commissioner Wayne Grable casting the dissenting vote on each.  That came after motions by Grable to approve the zoning changes failed on a 1-2 vote.  

The Doniphan County Regional Planning Commission had recommended approval of the zoning changes.

( Editor's note: information from unofficial commission meeting minutes)