From: "P. Joan Barron" <xxxx@yyy.zzz>
Date: Sun, 2/20/2011 12:18:14 PM
To: "planning"
Subject: Amateur Radio Antennas in Virginia City Highlands
After reviewing all of the
information provided on the issue of multiple towers erected on the Taormina property in Virginia City Highlands, it would be my determination that the towers
are not in compliance
with existing laws/rules. In addition to being out of compliance, the
esthetics and beauty our the skyline in the Highlands is terribly
impacted.
Should this precedent be set, it would be conceivable that others would follow
suit, littering our beautiful community with this atrocity, greatly impacting
home values even further than already reduced in today's economy.
The Taormina family touts the title of Amateur Radio Emergency Services
Emergency Coordinator for Storey County (information that was secured from a
letter written by his attorney Fred Hopengarten on August 13,
2008). I cannot help but ask if this is a valid title, whether
Tom Taormina is in fact the emergency coordinator, does he have all of the Highland residences' contact information for whatever emergency service he provides with
this title, and what are the qualifiers for this position. It
appears that his position is that his radio hobby is necessary to the safety of
the Highlands. From a layman's observation, it would appear
that one tiny antenna on top of a roof would suffice to keep an active
communication on-going for the immediate safety in Highland's
area.
I have no personal agenda against Mr. Taormina and am saddened that his
hobby impacts so many as well as creates a division in the
community. There are those that believe he provides an emergency service
to the Highlands (hence my questions above), those that do not have pride
of ownership and do not have a desire to maintain the beauty of the
community against those that are concerned about the precedent being set for
more ham radio operators (with antennas) to move in as well as pride
in the beauty of our community and retention of home values.
In case I haven't been emphatic enough, I am in the latter
category.
It is my understanding that there is to be a meeting regarding this issue on
March 3, 2011, and I have every intention to attend. Without knowing
the agenda for the meeting and because our business can require us to be out of
town at a moments notice, I wish to express my position via this forum and
request that the Storey County Building Department consider that erection of
the skyscraping ham radio towers cease.
Please contact me if you have any questions or wish further dialogue.
Thank you and regards,
P. Joan Barron
Calavaras Rd, Virginia City Highlands
775-847-7007