CAMARILLO : Restrictions Put on Height of Antennas

An ordinance limiting the height of amateur radio antennas to 75 feet was approved by the Camarillo Planning Commission on Tuesday and will be forwarded to the City Council for final approval later this month or in early October.

Originally drafted to satisfy citizens’ complaints about the appearance of some antennas, the regulation was modified to conform with FCC standards that allow radio antennas to be installed to provide for constant communications, especially in emergencies. More than a dozen amateur radio operators testified at previous meetings that the ordinance was too restrictive as originally written.

The new regulations will require the antennas to be put in rear yards and to be enclosed by a fence to prevent tampering. Existing ground-mounted antennas will be allowed to remain, although owners will be required to apply for a building permit within one year.

The Planning Commission also delayed action on a request by the Lincoln Property Co. to build two warehouse/distribution developments east of Flynn Road and north of Mission Oaks Boulevard.

The city is concerned about the increased truck traffic and the additional burden it would place on the Santa Rosa interchange off the Ventura Freeway, said Planning Director Matthew A. (Tony) Boden.