Vertical Bridge withdraws CUP amendment request for cell tower project

A cell tower project proposed for a site in Schroeder was briefly before the Cook County Board of Commissioners on Feb. 24.

The project was granted a Conditional Use Permit (CUP) when Vertical Bridge first proposed it in 2024. More recently, Vertical Bridge, represented by Michael Bieniek, applied to the Planning Commission and  Board of Adjustment to request a change to the 2024 CUP.  The amendment would move the building site from its originally planned location to a new location on the same property.

The change was motivated by an assessment of the wetland on the property, which found the original location to be in the middle of a large wetland complex. The new location would be on drier ground, but would require a variance from the county because of its proximity to residential structures on adjacent properties.

On Feb. 11, the Board of Adjustment denied the variance request, and in a separate meeting on the same day, the Planning Commission made a recommendation that the county board reject the amendment to the CUP.

The Board of Commissioners was set to hear the CUP amendment request on Feb. 24, but with the variance denied by the Board of Adjustment, Vertical Bridge opted to withdraw its proposed amendment. Zoning Administrator Neva Maxwell notified the commissioners that a vote would not be needed, but that Bieniek was present to address the board.

“Essentially, the conditional use permit cannot move forward at this point because we don’t have the variances in place. And just to be a little bit cleaner, we decided that it’s appropriate to withdraw, as Miss Maxwell had mentioned, by going through the process that gave us the the ability to talk with the state about the wetlands credits,” Bieniek said. “The one item that we lacked was the requirement to look at alternative options, and so by going through the process, we have effectively explored that option.”

Vertical Bridge can now work with the Board of Water and Soil Resources to finalize options on the original site. This could include the purchase of wetland credits to mitigate the impact that construction could have on the site.

Kirsten Wisniewski March 1, 2026