[TowerTalk] Tower regulatory climate in Fort Collins - Loveland, CO area

[Roger (K8RI)]

John Becker wrote:
> I'm starting to look into possible relocation to this area. Can anyone 
> tell me how easy or difficult it is to find a place to live where I can 
> put up a 70' tower? Thanks!
>   
As others have said, "It may take a lot of research".  Amateur Friendly 
Areas  are just that, areas and regulations can vary widely from one 
side of the road to the next.
Here, near Midland MI, in *this* township* we have setback rules and you 
can go to 100'  without a permit. It was 80 feet when I put mine up.  
Two miles to the west they have *no* restrictions, or regulations on ham 
towers. There's nothing even pertaining to safety.  The township to the 
NE of me is not anti-ham, but due to a quirk in regulations  heights are 
severely limited. OTOH one ham in a very upscale  subdivision  in that 
township discretely approached the board and received the go-ahead for a 
70' crank-up with a rather large multi-band antenna.  Of course in 
addition to the regulations you have the neighbors as well.  Even if 
it's permitted a couple of disagreeable neighbors can make things 
difficult. I have one who just doesn't like ugly antennas, but has 
created no problems (OTOH I don't complain about the kids riding loud 4 
wheelers at times and my cat keeps his rodent population in check). 
Another was worried about lightning. Then one day he happened to be 
looking right at the tower when it took a direct hit.  He asked me how 
much damage I had, which was none.  Since then he thinks of it as "the 
neighborhood lightning rod" <:-))

Roger (K8RI - ARRL Life Member)
www.rogerhalstead.com
N833R (World's oldest Debonair)