Amateur radio operator clashes with code enforcement - The Marietta Daily Journal

[N0YPD]

But it's ok to put windmill towers just a few hundred yards of so away.I don't get it.

[KE7IHG]

I just completed a tower project...Put up a MA-40 with an A3.
Jumped though a bunch of hoops with the county,Planning and even the local water/sewer district. Was told by the Planning officer" I really don't what to get all the calls from your neighbors". I took my time, studied the rules, We have a 70' limit here which I can live with....7 trips to the courthouse and $652.91 ($500 for the civil engineer and $152.91 for the permit) I now have a tower and it works Great!
Oh and by the way my busy body neighbor, It gave me great joy to show her my permit!

[W0IW]

I am one of those guys who live out in the sticks so I can have towers without all the city rules etc...
I hope it stays that way what a pain in the rear for any ham to have to defend his towers after living out in the country with them for years !!!

[W4PG]

And this comes from a major newspaper? The only thing this "journalist" should be writing on is toilet paper.

What does being "a grandfather of 10" have to do with anything?

How does "lives down the road from Dominion Christian Schools" pertain to the story?

It's the Bible Belt, Tom. One can often go a long ways to obtaining forgiveness for transgressions if they at least toe the local line. :-)

............Bob

[N4UED]

Using the old brain would have been the first thing , before investing cash in something not approved .
The 70 ft rule seems to be everywhere .
You cant win them all .
Begging after the fact might help , but I doubt it .

[WW5RM]

Yeah I bet he will loose this battle. But I hope he keeps the 70ft tower! I say when the crap hits the fan and they all are running scared and want to reach help or a loved one tell them to go stick it because they made you take down the 140ft tower!

I also say it's his land let him do what he wants with it! WTH has happened to this country? It use to be about Life, Liberty and the pursuit of happiness!

People are selfish and stupid! Ive always heard you can't fix stupid!

DE WW5RM

[N2RJ]

The FCC in no way exempts hams from obtaining appropriate permits where required by law.

It kind of does. There is precedent too.

That's not to say hams can put up towers of any height/size anywhere they wish. However, a town cannot require a ham to jump through the same hoops that commercial tower owners have to, and obtain a conditional use permit for a 30 foot tower with 100% setback, pay a bond and screen the whole thing with fake tree limbs. A simple building permit is all that should be required.

But I generally agree that this guy is cooked, because he put up the tower without a permit then decided to apply for one after.

[KB3ZGV]

It was impossible for him to get anyone to come and climb those things to do maintenance.

He should have bought himself A Bronto F 112 HLA



367.5 feet platform height.

[W6UDO]

Much as I don't want to, I'm afraid I have to agree with the posters here who said he may, and probably will, lose big here...his 140 footer and his 70 footer. As a brother ham, I hate to see it, but more than that, because the people against him come up with such stupid arguments. One doesn't want to have to look at them. Well, one woman's eyesore is another man's artwork. Suppose the guy on the other side thinks it's really cool?? And the other guy who says he has ham friends he can't call up because they're on the air!? WTH kind of reasoning is that?? So, because you want to talk with someone, that means he needs to stay near the phone 24/7 to satisfy your need to stay in touch with him??
Good luck, Ritner. Hope I'm wrong and you win big! Vy 73...Joe

[W7PVA]

Having worked in zoning for some time and from what I read here it aqppears that Ritner did not do his due diligence. If there was a permit requirement at the time he built the tower he should have known it. Safety concerns demand that structural concerns be met for the safety of the landowner and for those that may be effected by the structure. He doubtfully would have built a building to house his hobby without permit. The local utilities would not have connected their systems without the permit and a certificate of occupancy. The structural concerns for a 140 foot tower are much greater that they would be for a simple structure.

He's lucky it's only the county that is involved. If it was a HOA they have the authority and ability to assess fines from day one that continue to build as long as he is in violation. Even if he took the tower down they could still hold him responsible for the fines and accrue interest at whatever rate was agreed upon when the property was purchased until payed.

Some folks seem to push as long as they think they can get away with it. With three towers the highest being 70 feet before he erected the 140 foot tower he had to have had unhaqppy neighbors. Putting up the last tower was like rubbing their collective noses in it.

As I live in a HOA restricted area I have tried to do what will not upset my neighbors or draw the attention of the HOA. I would love to have a 30 foot tower but... In a past life I did have a tower on property that was in the middle of no where. Then civilization grew to where I lived. My tower was pre ordinance and was exempt. Otherwise a permit would have been required.

Some folks seem to think that the government is telling him what he can and can not do with his property. That is not so. He already had three towers two of which were legal and the thrid that would have easliy been legal as well. Having the permit does several things. One is that the sturcture is safe for all conceerned. Second it is aded to the tax rolls so that the landowner is paying his fair share. None of that is unreasonable.

Bill - W7PVA