[TowerTalk] Bay Area Structural Engineer Needed

[Kevin Normoyle]

I would question whether the "special use" requirement is really valid. Since 
they didn't know about ham radio, how can they be right that it's a "special use" ?

looking at the city of martinez (your area?) muni code, they have special rules 
for telecom, but specifically exclude amateur radio towers, cb towers, and 
television antennas, for residential as long as it meets all other zoning and 
regulations. That makes it sound to me like ham radio towers are not "special 
use" in general.

If you get into a discussion where you say what you're doing is complicated, you 
can get led down the path of soil report, then structural engineer, then special 
rebar inspection (I'm not kidding!)..and all that happens is you write checks to 
N successive licensed professionals, who actually do almost nothing for you 
other than provide a paper trail. Better to spend the money on actually doing a 
good job on the project.


the martinez code I reference (which is about telecom wireless installations)
(passed in 1997)
http://search.municode.com/html/16716/level3/MACA_TIT22ZO_CH22.39WITEFA.html

The following uses are exempt from the regulations stated in this Chapter; 
however, each of the following uses is required to comply with all other City 
zoning and other regulations applicable thereto:

1.

A single ground or building mounted receive-only radio or television antenna, or 
citizens band antenna including any mast, for the sole use of the owner or 
tenant occupying a parcel on which the antenna is located.

2.

A ground, building or tower mounted antenna operated by a federally licensed 
amateur radio operator as part of the Amateur Radio Service.

3.

A single ground, pole or building mounted receive-only radio or television 
satellite dish antenna, not to exceed forty-eight inches (48") in diameter, for 
the sole use of the owner or tenant occupying a parcel on which the antenna is 
located. Satellite dish height shall not exceed the height of the roof ridge of 
the primary structure on the parcel.

4.

All citizens band radio antenna or antenna operated by a federally licensed 
amateur radio, operator as part of the Amateur Radio Service which lawfully 
existed at the time this ordinance was adopted. (July, 1997).

5.

Mobile services providing public information coverage of news events of a 
temporary nature.

6.

City government owned and operated receive and/or transmit telemetry station 
antennas for supervisory control and data acquisition, or other health and 
safety devices which require antennas.

7.

Mobile Telecommunications Transmitting Facilities necessary for emergency 
communications or for facilities required on a temporary basis not to exceed two 
weeks per year. Emergency services are permitted as necessary for emergency 
communications.


-kevin
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