[TowerTalk] Re: tower restrictions please can someone help him?

[SavageBR@aol.com]

Hi Charlie,
The first thing to do is contact the ARRL and ask for their Tower/Antenna 
restriction package including PRB-1. Study this package. PRB-1 was issued by 
the FCC to preempt certain local antenna restrictions. It requires the city 
to make "reasonable accommodations" for amateur communications in ordinances 
that place restrictions on antennas. This ARRL package is probably the best 
source of info.

Make some friends at the city zoning board office. 

Find out who is the city attorney and see if you can find a friendly 
connection into his office. When I bought my property, the attorney I 
selected "just happened" to be the partner of the city attorney and promised 
to bring up PRB-! at lunch in a low key discussion to be sure he was familiar 
with it.

Find out if there are any Amateur Radio clubs near you and if so contact them 
for assistance and helpful contacts including any ARES activity with the 
local fire dept. etc.

Find out if the 15 foot limit is a City ordinance. If so, get a full and 
complete copy of the Ordinance. Most times they are new and designed to give 
the city control over new cell phone towers.

In the ordinance look for a way to apply for a "special use permit." This is 
usually a way for the city to let you put up a moderate antenna without 
granting you a waiver.

Check out your neighbors and see if you are going to have any strong 
opposition from them. When they mention TV interference, etc., remember that 
the higher the antenna the less power you need to run and the less likely 
there will be any interference.

For my antenna at 90 ft, I had to apply for a "special use permit" via the 
zoning office to exceed a 35 foot limit. I submitted an application with a 
detailed description of my intended antenna/tower. I then attended a public 
hearing/zoning board meeting and presented my request. Because I had already 
had a friendly meeting with each neighbor, there were no neighbors at the 
public hearing. The zoning board approved my request. I then had to attend a 
meeting of the City Counsel and present my request which was supported by the 
Zoning Board. They City Counsel then approved my request and I put up my 
tower. 

That was the formal part. A lot of background work helped me get a favorable 
decision.

Be sure you keep your cool and maintain a proffessional/friendly atmosphere 
with the city folks.
Good luck
Bruce  AA4Z

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