Ham Radio Tower Ordinance
Amateur Radio Tower Ordinance Hearing
Thursday July 15th, 2010
Round Lake Beach City hall at 7pm
1937 North Municipal Way
Round Lake Beach, IL 60073
Dear Amateur Radio friend,
CQ CQ, this is Mike Sigler-KC9NSA, I am writing to inform you of an upcoming hearing at the Round Lake Beach Village hall. On Thursday July 15th, 2010. The hearing is based on modifying the current support structure ordinance of 12ft and adding verbiage for Amateur Radio towers. The current ordinance allows for a 12ft combined height or structure and antenna. But the Village appears to be actively and seriously considering a revised ordinance (so now is the time to speak up!). Also, when considering potential comments at the meeting, note that the Village currently requires hams who request a zoning variance to sign a reimbursement agreement and make a substantial deposit of funds with the Village before it will consider the request. The agreement makes the ham responsible for the Village’s costs related to the variance request, including professional fees incurred by the Village.
It may become necessary for the Amateur Radio community of the area, to demonstrate a link between antenna height and effective communications, especially in the HF bands. Anyone that knows of effectiveness vs. antenna height and operations, I urge you to attend. I could really use the help in this area. The Village is not; however, presently ruling on anybody’s pending application at this time. I have enclosed a copy of the purposed ordinance and I hope you can attend and present any questions, concerns or modifications you would like to bring forward. The hearing is being run by the Round Lake Beach Planning and Zoning committee. The committee will be hearing the case and may ask for any public input. We can’t be certain, but we expect that the Committee will then gather the information and then present it to the village board for a decision.
I have personally been attempting to erect a tower for three years now. This decision is important for all local Amateur Radio operators and I have a strong passion for the hobby. We offer so much and do it for free. At present, the Village of Round Lake Beach is purposing a 50ft rule for freestanding towers and a 70ft for crank up towers. I have some concerns about the difference between the tower heights and the type of the tower. I don’t think they should require us to purchase a unique tower to achieve reliable communications or a disadvantage to anyone else, because of the type tower you can or cannot afford.
I hope you can attend and try not to bring radios, ball caps or inappropriate attire.
Sincerely,
Mike Sigler-KC9NSA
Round Lake Beach, IL 60073
Village of Round Lake Beach
PLANNING & ZONING COMMISSION
AGENDA
Thursday, July 15, 2010 - 7:00 p.m.
Village Hall Chambers
1937 North Municipal Way
Round Lake Beach, Illinois 60073
I. OPENING PROTOCOL A. Roll Call
B. Approval of Agenda
C. Approval of Minutes – July 8, 2010 (not yet available)
II. PUBLIC HEARINGS
A.) Request of the Village of Round Lake Beach for possible amendments to Appendix A of the Code of Ordinances, Zoning Regulations, in regard to requirements and standards for Amateur Radio Towers and Antennas.
III. OTHER BUSINESS/DISCUSSION
IV. AUDIENCE PARTICIPATION
V. ADJOURNMENT
Distribution: Honorable Mayor and Board of Trustees Keith Neitzke, Public Works Director
David Kilbane, Village Administrator Doug Zeigler, Fire Marshal
Scott Puma, Village Attorney Paul Maplethorpe, Fire Chief
_________________________________________________________________________________________________________
Commissioners: Mark Bailey, Chair
Lonnie Prince; Patrick Vargo;
Linette Benes; Steve Vaughn; Chuck Husk
AMATEUR RADIO ANTENNAS
Sample Ordinance the village is using.
Towers and Antennas. Towers and antennas in all zoning districts, excluding properties owned and used by a unit of government, are subject to the following regulations:
1. General Requirements
A. Location and Setbacks
1. Towers and antennas shall be located in the rear or interior side yards or on the roof of buildings and shall comply with all setback requirements for accessory structures.
2. Towers and antennas shall be set back from the lot lines a minimum distance equal to 110% of the height of the tower at the highest point when it is fully extended. No part of a tower or antenna shall extend over the property line or an easement.
B. Number. No more than one tower or antenna shall be located on each zoning lot.
C. Diameter and Width. The diameter of a tower or antenna shall not exceed 6 feet as measured from the farthest distance across the support structure. The width of any side of a tower or antenna shall not exceed 4 feet. The horizontal portion of the antenna shall not exceed 10 feet in any direction from the supporting tower structure.
D. Limited Use. Towers and antennas in residential districts shall be used solely for communications directly related to on-site permitted uses and shall not be leased or used as part of a network or for any off site commercial purchase.
E. Appearance Standards:
1. Color. Shall be monochromatic, non-reflective and neutral in color.
2. Advertising Prohibited. Shall not have any advertisement material, writing, picture, or signage other than warning notification(s), equipment identification or ownership information.
3. Illumination. No portion of a tower or antenna shall be artificially illuminated except to the extent required by the FAA, FCC or other applicable authority.
F. Access. Any free-standing tower or antenna shall be protected against unauthorized access by the public and no climbing foot pegs or rungs shall be permitted below twelve feet (12) to prevent unauthorized climbing.
G. Exemptions. Satellite dishes which are used primarily for television reception and which are less than 1 meter in size are exempt from the requirements of this Appendix.
H. Regulations. No tower or antenna shall be constructed or installed without a building permit issued by the Village and shall comply with all building codes, electrical codes and generally recognized engineering standards.
I. Use of Guy Wires. All towers and antennas shall be free standing and the use of guy wires is prohibited.
2. Standards for Ground Mounted Towers and Antennas
A. Height. The height of a tower or antenna shall not exceed 50 feet if it is not retractable, measured from grade to the top of the tower or the top of the highest antenna, whichever is taller. If a tower or antenna is retractable, this maximum extended height shall not exceed 70 feet, but its maximum unextended height shall not exceed 50 feet, measured from grade to the top of the tower or the top of the highest antenna, whichever is taller. If a tower or antenna is retractable, it shall be lowered to the unextended height when not in use.
3. Standards for Roof Mounted Towers and Antennas
A. Height Limit and Ground Clearance. A roof-mounted tower or antenna may extend to 15 feet above the height of the roof structure it is attached to, whether or not it is retractable.
B. Location. The tower or antenna shall not be attached to or mounted upon any building appurtenance, such as a chimney, and it shall not be mounted or attached to any outside wall of a building.
This distance from all lot lines to the tower or antenna shall not be less than two-thirds of the height of the tower or antenna.
On flat roofs, the support structure shall be setback from the sides of the building facing a street at least one-third of the depth of the roof as it faces the street(s). On pitched roofs, no more than 50 percent (50%) of the support structure shall be mounted to any portion of the roof facing any street.
4. Decommissioning and Restoration Plan
When a tower or antenna is not operated for a continuous period of at least six (6) months, such tower or antenna and all related equipment shall be deemed abandoned by the Village. The owner of record of the property upon which such tower or antenna is located shall remove all items within forty-five (45) days after the tower or antenna is no longer being operated. If the Village determines that a tower or antenna is no longer being operated, then all items shall be removed forty-five (45) days following receipt of written notification that removal is required. Such notice shall be sent by certified mail, return receipt requested, by the Village to such owner of record at the last known address of such owner according to the tax records of the County. A principal structure or lot for sale, lease, or in foreclosure may be exempt, provided that the tower or antenna is maintained pursuant to this Appendix.