I had no idea what a
minaret was, or to what aim they are constructed, and given merit.
To me, they seem to be akin to an Egyptian
obelisk, just a visual cue to something of inherent (to extreme) importance. From what I glanced from wiki, that is their exact function:
to provide a vantage point from which the call to prayer (adhan) is made. I suppose I can see why they are not totally relevant, as their basic use and being is to call attention to a mosque. They could also be compared to Christian belltowers, I suppose, as those are used to attract your senses, both visual and optical, to welcome followers to the nearby Church.
I have no stance on the ban. Let me read the article, but so long as they are not imposing any restrictions to the operation of mosques, I only see this as a "neighborhood compliance - visual distraction" debate.