Imagine waking up, sipping your morning coffee, and looking outside to see a massive tower being built just feet from your backyard.
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Several homeowners in Lorain County, Ohio claim they were blindsided by the construction of a state telecommunications tower.
“Without any notice, we saw a tower being built just feet away from our property line. We had to really do some digging to figure out what it even was, who was doing it,” Krysta Tassone, whose home sits just seven feet and 10 inches from the tower’s base, told 19 News.
For residents like Jay Strauss, it’s not just that the sightline is offensive, it’s a matter of principle.
“I was putting up a barn in my backyard and was told I could not get a permit. I had to be 100 feet, and I was 82 feet,” Strauss said. “Yet, they can put a tower eight feet from their property line?”
‘To be pushed out by something like that’
According to the report, the structure is part of Ohio’s Multi-Agency Radio Communication System (MARCS), a statewide initiative to upgrade communication networks for law enforcement and emergency services. It’s one of several being built across Lorain County and is slated for completion by August when it is expected to stand 350 feet tall.
The tower is being built on land owned by Northern Ohio Rural Water.
But local leaders say they were left out of the loop.
The Brownhelm Township Trustees told 19 News, “The county cut the township out of the project and followed Ohio Revised Code 519.211 … All township officials will have no further comment at this time.”
According to Lorain County Commissioner Jim Riddell, the location was selected by engineers. He insists the township had been looped into discussions over the past year and that it was their responsibility to alert nearby property owners.
The plans were reportedly listed on public agendas and open for discussion.
The news report notes that state code says, “Any person who plans to construct a telecommunications tower within one hundred feet of a residential dwelling shall provide a written notice to the owner.”
The residents 19 News spoke to said they never received anything. The news station said it is waiting to hear if the tower could or would come down.
“To pick somewhere to settle your family. Raise your family and hope to never leave. And, to be pushed out by something like that, you never even got a choice in,” said Tassone about the prospect of the tower staying.
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How to stay informed and get involved
Here’s how savvy homeowners across the U.S. can stay ahead of unwanted property developments.
The best way to know what is going on is to be active in your community.
Make sure you see all published, mailed or posted notices. Stay informed about and attend public meetings. You will have the right to comment and oppose during open discussions. Show up and speak out at hearings because organized and informed residents can make a difference. You can check the official county websites for schedules and online livestreaming links. Subscribe to city council newsletters.
Official information is powerful, but nothing beats word-of-mouth from your fellow residents. Join your HOA, neighborhood group, or local forum. Nextdoor, Facebook Groups, and Reddit are buzzing with locals spotting surveyors, “zoning change” signs and construction trailers. Walking your neighborhood? Keep an eye out for construction signs, survey markers, or stakes and take photos.
There are also tech-savvy tactics to stay informed. Sign up for news alerts by setting Google Alerts for your street name or city and “zoning” or “development.” Use Zillow or Realtor.com to track if a neighbor’s property goes on the market or gets listed for commercial use.
Lastly, know your rights. Each state has different rules, but many require notice to neighbors if a major development is within a certain distance of their home. Didn’t get notice? You might have grounds to challenge it. Hire a land-use attorney if you need guidance. They can help prove that a project violates zoning laws or wasn’t properly disclosed.
You don’t need to be blindsided by bulldozers. Today’s homeowners have more tools than ever to stay informed, get involved, and take action. Being the first to know can help protect your home.
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This article provides information only and should not be construed as advice. It is provided without warranty of any kind.
