The Zionsville IN Board of Zoning Appeals unanimously voted 5-0 to reject both of the petitions filed by Blessed Beginnings Broadcasting that would have been required to construct the new six tower array for WFNI.
The first petition was a Special Exception to allow the construction of the facility on what is currently zoned for agricultural use. The second was to allow the six 200 foot towers to exceed the allowable 35 foot height on properties in agriculturally zoned land.
Blessed Beginnings Broadcasting head Brian Walsh tells Indiana Radio Watch’s Blaine Thompson that he is now working on other options for the facility. WFNI must resume operations from any facility by August 3 or its license will expire for being silent for one calendar year. Walsh also told the Lebanon Reporter, ““At this particular point, we’re still evaluating if we want to continue to remain involved in the acquisition of 1070 or not. No decision has been made.”
During the meeting, Zoning Board member Larry Jones who voted against the petitions stated, “Regardless to the amount of radiation or whatever, it’s common knowledge that AM is truly a bit of a dinosaur. The petitioner has not shown a need other than their own personal want and it hasn’t been accepted by anyone to date.”
Original Report 4/6: The Zionsville IN Board of Zoning Appeals will meet tonight to vote on an application by Brian Walsh’s Blessed Beginnings Broadcasting to construct a new six tower array for what is now Emmis’ silent 1070 WFNI Indianapolis, which he would acquire.
The application requests special exemption and new variance on behalf of BBB to rezone the land from agricultural use to commercial in order to construct the towers. Walsh tells the Lebanon Reporter that should it be granted, he intends to have the station operating from the new facility by next year and plans on replicating the Oldies format currently heard on his 1450 WIOE/104.3 W282CH Fort Wayne and 101.1 WIOE-FM Warsaw IN. Its morning show will be simulcast on WFNI, while the remainder of the programming will originate from Indianapolis including local news and sports coverage.
In addition to WIOE, Walsh owns Talk 1250 WGL/105.5 W288EI Fort Wayne
