KETTERING MAN’S RADIO TOWER REQUEST UPSETS NEIGHBORS

Kettering man’s idea gets pushback from residents in the area.

A Kettering resident KETTERING— wants to put up an amateur radio tower on property along Mad River Road and some residents who live on the road don’t want the tower built in their neighborhood.

More than 30 people who live in the neighborhood submitted a petition to the Kettering Board of Zoning Appeals on Monday night at a hearing to discuss the issue.

Wynn Rollert, 77, has requested approval to be granted a variance on his property in the 4800 block of Mad River Road in order to install a 50-foot tower in the rear of his yard. Kettering’s Zoning Code allows for amateur radio towers to be 25-feet without a variance, so that is why he wants approval for the extra 25-feet.

Rollert has been a ham operator and amateur radio enthusiast since 1952 he said Monday. He said he would like to use commercial-grade equipment including the UHF/VHF frequency tower for two-to-three hours a day to communicate with other ham operators at remote sites especially during emergency situations.

Several residents are concerned because they feel Mad River Road is an historic road, with well-manicured lawns, as well as a treelined landscape. They feel the tower would be an eyesore and presented the petition to the zoning board members Monday.

Two of those residents, Ken Salmons and Sue Choate, voiced heir concerns over the proposed 50-foot tower in their neighborhood.

Salmons’ residence is located about 240 feet from the proposed tower and there are no trees to block the view.

Zoning Administrator Run Hundt said the essential issue of how the tower will look within the residential neighborhood is a subjective matter, and one that may likely be the focus of those opposing the variance request. But following the rules and guidelines likely will bind the city to honor Rollert’s request.

The board decided not to vote on Rollert’s request Monday but granted a continuance in order to look at other similar 50-foot towers in the area to help review safety standards and aesthetics. Hundt said his report indicated to the board the request should be approved.