The Watson Township Planning Commission last month approved a special use permit for Michwave Technologies to put up the tower for rural high-speed Internet use at the property on 1965 116th Ave. near M-222.

The company installed the tower, estimated at 140 feet high on private property, but needed formal approval for a special use permit in order to proceed.

“From what I’ve been told, it is a privately owned tower that Michwave installed for the owners,” said Kirk Scharphorn of Professional Code Inspections of Dorr, which provides planning services for Watson Township.

Scharphorn said Watson has an ordinance that states all communications towers that exceed 50 feet in height must obtain a special use permit from the Planning Commission after a public hearing was held on the issue.

Chuck Andrysiak, a member of the Planning Commission, told Watson Township Board colleagues Thursday night that special use was granted with conditions. He said the tower had to show that it will not be in the public right of way should it ever fall.

“It (the tower) is taller than a neighbor’s property line,” Andrysiak acknowledged. “It took a lot of back and forth (discussion), but it finally got approved.”

Scharphorn said he’s not sure how far this tower will reach, but it may connect with another similar tower in a surrounding township that reaches Byron Center.

PHOTO: Thursday’s meeting was the last for Trustee Rod Zeinstra, who decided not to seek re-election. Zeinstra has served Watson as supervisor, trustee on the Planning Commission and on the Zoning Board of Appeals. Supervisor Pam Brown said he has served the township since 1985, a total of 31 years. “We’d like to thank him for all of his service for so many years,” she said.