The long awaited public meeting on Article 18 (includes towers) of the new Calvert zoning ordinance has slipped once again from Jan 18 to Wednesday Jan 25. Based on past history, this might change again so watch the web site link posted below.
Unfortunately, I will be out of town that evening. Always seems to work out that way. It would be a good idea if several CARA members attended this forum. I will try to make it via Zoom but in-person attendance is much better.
Meeting info at the link below. Jan 25, either 6:00PM or 7:00 PM (County link shows both times), Harriett Brown Community Center:
If you plan to attend, please let me know.
Since the new regulations are less restrictive than the old ones, silence is the best approach unless someone in the community objects and tries to change things. It only takes one vocal antenna/tower complainer to possibly alter the County's position. On the flip side, if there are no objections to the new tower language, remaining silent is probably the best choice. If you find it necessary to speak up in defense of amateur radio, please be cordial and use logic, rather than emotion, to make your point. Pretend you're Mr Spock.
Thanks to prior discussions with the county, changes that affect amateur radio towers and antennas are favorable and relaxed compared to current regulations.
Old - Height limited to 75 ft without requiring a special exception/variance
New - Height Limited to 100 ft without requiring a special exception/variance
Old - Tower setback from property line at least 75% of the tower height
New - Same, except for crank-up towers or masts where the setback is the NESTED height of the crank-up tower or mast.
Thanks
N3AE
CARA Secretary
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MORE INFO BELOW IF YOU CARE TO READ:
The areas of the new draft ordinance that affect us are:
A2 - Definitions
A18 - Uses (including the several Tables) Subparagraphs d and e of page 43.
I've attached a pdf document that shows the current tower zoning language AND the new draft language, but I recommend you review of the entire Article 18 from the web link above. There is some language in the "General" section on communications towers that might still need a clarification that the General section does not apply to Private/Not-for-Profit (Non-Commercial/Governmental towers (that's where amateur radio towers fall in). We certainly don't want the extensive engineering requirements for a large commercial tower to be applied to amateur radio or smaller private towers of any sort or purpose.
The new ordinance carries over the old restriction of "one tower per lot." There's still a path for additional towers in the draft, requiring a special exception, which at last check involves a $775.00 application fee (approval or not). I suggested another path that involves a lot size criteria for allowing a second tower but it didn't stick.
There's some language about radio interference, not only in our section but many times through the draft. Don't worry about it. I think it has to be removed for legal reasons. The FCC has made it clear (in court) that only the FCC is permitted to deal with the subject and the FCC preempts any local ordinance regarding interference.
By comparison to other jurisdictions across the country, we have it very good here in Calvert regarding amateur radio tower zoning regulations and requirements. And Maryland has adopted FCC PRB-1 into state law requiring reasonable accommodation for amateur radio towers.