Radio Operators Protest Regulation

About a dozen amateur radio operators recently protested a zoning regulation being considered by the Planning Commission that would prohibit outdoor private radio antennas.

Paul Levey, president of the South Orange Amateur Radio Assn., which represents 174 amateur radio operators in the city, spoke to the panel at length last week about federal regulations that require local ordinances to accommodate reasonable radio antennas. Levey recommended that a general height restriction of 42 feet would meet federal law.

Although homeowners associations in Laguna Niguel have restrictions limiting the height of antennas, Ray Hutchenson, communications director for the radio association, said many amateur radio operators have been able to get exemptions. The city’s proposed zoning ordinance would limit their ability to do even that, he said.

The Planning Commission continued discussion on the proposed ordinance until its Oct. 27 meeting.