[TowerTalk] It's a Structure (why??)

[Phil Camera]

Mike, nothing personal, but you erred.  Of course the tower is a 
structure, period.  So are the other TV towers.  Anyway, jsut because 
you may not need a tower permit, you installed structural concrete.  So 
did the TV tower owners.  Most building departments must inspect 
structural concrete; that's what they do.  They inspect concrete.  So, 
maybe you don't need a special tower permit, and PRB-1 may enter here, 
but in most places, you need a regular building permit to install the 
structural concrete that the tower sits on and in.  Does this make 
sense.  Some here will argue that you have your rights, blah, blah.  And 
in some locations you can whatever you want.  Most places though, they 
will want to inspect the concrete.  Some however will want a special 
tower permit and that's the pits.  I'd apply for the permit even after 
the fact and see if you have the documentation to get it approved.  Then 
you'd be totally legal.  Contact a local VEC for guidance.  Good luck.  
Phil  KB9CRY

Mike Switzer wrote:

>Hi All
>
>As timing would have it I also have had a run in with the local building
>code folks.  I  moved to this QTH last year.  I put up the antenna and tower
>during the fall and early winter.  I did not get a permit or any variance
>from the township.  I reasoned judging from the hundreds of TV towers at 30
>and 40 feet my only violation would be not getting a building permit to put
>the tower up.  A neighbor called her friend, township supervisor,  he came
>out to pay a visit.  His argument was that the tower is a "structure" and
>subject to local rules etc. When I suggested that all of the TV towers were
>also "structures" he assured me they were not.  As we continued our
>discussion he conceded my point of view had some merit.  The ordinance he
>sited stipulated a max height of 25 feet.  Almost 100% of the TV towers are
>30 or more feet in height.  During our conversation I made him aware that
>this has been up for almost 1 year with no complaints.  He was unaware of
>that and also found it strange for the neighbor to report it now.  I
>suggested that the neighbor and I should work things out without his
>intervention.  He agreed that he would prefer that as a solution and would
>contact the neighbor.  At this point I made him aware of PRB-1.  I pointed
>out, in a non threatening manor, that if I were to ask for a variance I
>would most likely receive one.  I also pointed out that PRB-1 did not
>preempt my getting a permit and asking for a variance, which of course I
>failed to do at the start.  He asked what was thought of as "reasonable" for
>an antenna and tower.  I suggested that my 50' tower with a tri band and
>some VHF antennas might or might not be considered to be "reasonable".  I
>live in a very rural area on 3 acres.  The supervisor called the neighbor
>and told her to forget it.  When I stopped by his office with a copy of
>PRB-1 he advised me to go ahead and crank it back up.  I had the tower down
>for some work when this all began.  I think I am going to leave a sleeping
>dog lie.  I am going to move in about 4 or 5 years so it would not be worth
>the hassle.  I got lucky and I also know it might come back to bite me.  Oh
>well just wanted to share a success story (partial) that did not involve
>lawyers and planning boards etc.  
>
>   
>
>Mike
>
>K8ZE 
>
> 
>
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