Move a radio tower nad neighbor says no.

[flipper35]

What is your take on this. An El Centro christian radio station wants to move their tower from land they are leasing to land they own. All but one neighbor is fine with it (he says it is a danger to crop dusters because they cannot fly within 1 mile of it) and county denies them. Thing is, that neighbor is also on the county board.

What is your take here. We don't have many aerial applicators around here but I don't remember that rule in the FAR/AIM.

http://www.thedesertreview.com/kgba-pursues-relocation-of-their-fm-tower/

[HardDrive]

Sounds like BS to me. Sue. 1000ft? If the logic for the denial is correct, then how are crop dusters flying in the area now? Sounds like 100% crony crap to me.

[Eric Coffey]

Originally Posted by flipper35

What is your take on this. An El Centro christian radio station wants to move their tower from land they are leasing to land they own. All but one neighbor is fine with it (he says it is a danger to crop dusters because they cannot fly within 1 mile of it) and county denies them. Thing is, that neighbor is also on the county board.

What is your take here. We don't have many aerial applicators around here but I don't remember that rule in the FAR/AIM.

http://www.thedesertreview.com/kgba-pursues-relocation-of-their-fm-tower/

Sounds like a neighbor that doesn't want the eye-sore (and possible impact on home/land value?), who may be using his position of power/leverage for his own self interests.

The "1 mile buffer" argument for towers sounds like BS. Ag pilots negotiate all sorts of obstacles (power lines, wind turbines, MET towers, etc.). Also, if the tower is under the height threshold (200ft.?), I don't think it is even required to be on FAA's radar. Anything over that, and you need to notify the FAA and it has to have a beacon/lighting.

[flipper35]

Already cleared to move by the FAA.

I thought it sounded like the neighbor/board member being a dick.

[ossiblue]

Well, I read the linked article and it sounds like the neighbor simply "made up" the regulation about a 1 mile buffer around towers. Thing is, the article is a bit different than the OP's summary in that there is no mention of the objecting neighbor being on the Imperial County Planning Commission. I will assume the OP knows the situation first-hand and is supplying us with information that true.

Without knowing the rules of the Planning Commission (does it take a unanimous vote to approve? Is the objection of only one person in an area that will be impacted enough to refuse a conditional permit?) it's just a guess on whether an appeal will work. However, if the neighbor is the sole objector, a single objection by a resident is not enough to refuse a permit, there is no policy of a 1 mile "buffer zone" around towers, and the station can demonstrate a conflict of interest in the vote of the neighbor, there is a good possibility of a re-vote with the neighbor abstaining.

All in all, it sounds like favoritism of the commission for one of its own.

[mattdavis11]

If you must, work the commissioner on the freedom of religion, while questioning his, and free speech rights. He will cave.

I'd move the tower regardless, then have him fight to take it down. Worrying about a permit would be the least of concerns.

[asphaltgambler]

......just follow the money............

[island911]

They need to become a Muslim radio station and then they can scream RACISM... and all must bow to the political correctness gods. Likely they'll get invited to the White House.

[creaturecat]

Originally Posted by island911

They need to become a Muslim radio station and then they can scream RACISM... and all must bow to the political correctness gods. Likely they'll get invited to the White House.

was this statement really necessary?
the statement makes you appear to be racist.
are you racist?

[k9handler]

as said above, under 200 ft and the FAA has no issues. I have been on towers when helicopters are near, its quite scary.

[bell]

Originally Posted by creaturecat

was this statement really necessary?
the statement makes you appear to be racist.
are you racist?

I think it was.......am i a racist for being against anything they stand for? Yes? So be it......
Because his statement was 100% accurate. ....

[island911]

Originally Posted by creaturecat

was this statement really necessary?
the statement makes you appear to be racist.
are you racist?

Since when is Muslim a race?

I do wonder if Stupid is a race, however..

[djantlive]

Radio radiation is much more harmful than high voltage lines. If you can avoid one close to where you work or live, that would be good.

[javadog]

It sounds like they are building a new tower, not moving the old one. The old one looks to be over 200 feet;, they don't specify the height of the new one but they imply that it's not a guyed tower, so it's probably a self-supporting tower, so guesses on the height might be 250-300 feet, max. Odd choice for a radio station...

The one mile buffer is bull****. Replacing a guyed tower with a self-support is much safer for aircraft. Doesn't really matter, if the FAA is on board.

Sounds like one guy, who knows diddly **** about either towers or flying, being a dick and you'd have to look at the county board rules to see what they are. It sounds like he should recuse himself, since he has a conflict of interest.

Maybe sue the board, or shoot the farmer.

JR

[wdfifteen]

Sounds like the guy is just being a dickhead.

[flipper35]

Originally Posted by ossiblue

Well, I read the linked article and it sounds like the neighbor simply "made up" the regulation about a 1 mile buffer around towers. Thing is, the article is a bit different than the OP's summary in that there is no mention of the objecting neighbor being on the Imperial County Planning Commission. I will assume the OP knows the situation first-hand and is supplying us with information that true.

Without knowing the rules of the Planning Commission (does it take a unanimous vote to approve? Is the objection of only one person in an area that will be impacted enough to refuse a conditional permit?) it's just a guess on whether an appeal will work. However, if the neighbor is the sole objector, a single objection by a resident is not enough to refuse a permit, there is no policy of a 1 mile "buffer zone" around towers, and the station can demonstrate a conflict of interest in the vote of the neighbor, there is a good possibility of a re-vote with the neighbor abstaining.

All in all, it sounds like favoritism of the commission for one of its own.

My mother in law lives there and knows who the neighbor is. That is how I found out he is on the board.

[DanielDudley]

This sounds like something a local TV station or newspaper would be interested in reporting.

[sammyg2]

He needs to contact his state representative and congressman.

Chances are they'll call the a-holes bluff and he'll back down.

[flipper35]

Originally Posted by javadog

It sounds like they are building a new tower, not moving the old one. The old one looks to be over 200 feet;, they don't specify the height of the new one but they imply that it's not a guyed tower, so it's probably a self-supporting tower, so guesses on the height might be 250-300 feet, max. Odd choice for a radio station...

The one mile buffer is bull****. Replacing a guyed tower with a self-support is much safer for aircraft. Doesn't really matter, if the FAA is on board.

Sounds like one guy, who knows diddly **** about either towers or flying, being a dick and you'd have to look at the county board rules to see what they are. It sounds like he should recuse himself, since he has a conflict of interest.

Maybe sue the board, or shoot the farmer.

JR

According to the paperwork they did engineer a guy-wireless tower to appease the "crop duster" issue.

[GH85Carrera]

Wait, people still listen to RADIO?

Wow.

Why?