[nrv-hams] Town of Christiansburg Planning Committee Meeting

[Russ Abbey]

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---------- Forwarded message ----------
From: Roger Galloway <ku8z3 at verizon.net>
Date: Tue, Aug 14, 2012 at 4:23 PM
Subject: Town of Christiansburg Planning Committee Meeting
To: Russ Abbey <kg4mav at gmail.com>


Hi Russ,

Just wanted to let you know about the Town of Christiansburg's Planning
Committee meeting last evening. At the beginning of the meeting, they
allowed public comment at which time I respectfully requested they not
approve the proposed zoning code changes for amateur radio. I informed
them, once again, the new code requirements were excessive and not minimum
regulation and did not follow the letter of the law or intent of the
Federal PRB-1 or Virginia State Code. I stated the code was being
re-written specifically for me. The requirement for elevation and plot
drawings signed and sealed by Professional Engineers would ad $5,000.00 to
$10,000.00 to the cost of applying for a permit. I concluded my opportunity
to speak by also stating I did not understand why the Town of
Christiansburg did not want Amateur Radio within the town.

Unfortunately, I was the only amateur licensee at the meeting, so there was
no other opposition. They did make some changes to the proposed code and I
requested a copy from the secretary and she said she would send it to me.
As soon as I receive it, I will forward a copy to you. The changes which
were suggested and will be incorporated are:

Towers should be painted green for stealth purposes or remain their neutral
metal color. (I don't know if there will be a requirement to paint them
green in order to obtain the building permit since they mentioned stealth
purposes)

They will be adding wording requiring drawings of the lot by a licensed
surveyor to document the exact location of the antenna support (tower) with
respect to lot lines and required offsets. (I think this will add costs of
up to several hundred dollars to the permit process)

They will also be changing the setback requirements from what had been
proposed to "a tower must be setback a distance of 1 foot for each foot in
height." I was given an opportunity to comment and said the requirements
were inappropriate because Roanoke only requires an offset of 40% of the
tower height. I also stated crank up towers like mine, if they collapse the
cable breaks and they collapse within themselves. If it were to collapse
from high wind while raised, it would not snap off at the base and fall the
entire length, but the smaller, weaker top portion would bend or break.
They ignored my input.

They plan on having a public hearing on September 10, 2012 for any
opposition or in support of the changes. If I am the only ham opposing
these restrictive codes, I think it will pass in the September 24th meeting
(committee votes) and be forwarded to the Town Council for approval and
implementation.

I personally believe there aren't many home lots that can meet a
requirement for an antenna system higher than 25 to 30 feet and nowhere
near the 75 foot limit sited within the Virginia State Code. I appreciate
your interest in this situation and hope this information gets disseminated
to as many hams as possible.

73,
Roger KU8Z