[Durham INC] Tower/wireless discussion October 8th -- Regional Council of Governments

[Ed Harrison]

This is an open meeting at the Regional Council of Governments (COG), an advisory agency. A lot of people got this invitation (and a number of Durham planners apparently emailed within minutes that they would attend) so it would greatly help COG staff if you let them know you were coming -- reply to Bergen Watterson, address below. Comm. Ellen Reckhow is chair, and I'm not sure who usually attends from City Council (often Eugene Brown); I attend for Chapel Hill, where we actually have more communications antennae than most realize, and don't conceal them. 

I'm hopeful, as someone who has practiced forest ecology in and around Durham County for some 37 years, that this sort of language (in the draft rules for Durham City and County) is analyzed out loud:

Tower design shall mimic a species located within the cluster of trees, with the support tower or pole to be designed as a tree trunk and antennae arrays designed as tree branches, leaves, and any other applicable appendages. 
iii. The height shall measure no more than 20 feet above the tallest tree within the cluster of trees…

Duke Forest was one of the first places in North America, some 80 years ago, where in-depth and ground-breaking studies of "plant succession" were done. Simply put, it is just about guaranteed that any forest around here, even "old growth" (extremely rare) forest, will change in composition, appearance and size over time, sometimes rapidly if affected by a major weather event (Hurricane Fran, 2002 ice storm). This language seems to assume that Durham County forests are static and unchanging. Definitely not my experience around here.

Ed Harrison, MEM


Begin forwarded message:

> From: Triangle J Council of Governments <bwatterson at tjcog.org>
> Subject: Smart Growth Committee Meeting--October 8th
> Date: September 18, 2013 1:35:06 PM EDT
> To: ed.harrison at mindspring.com
> Reply-To: bwatterson at tjcog.org
> 
> 
> 
> 
> September 18, 2013
> 
> Dear Ed,
>   
> Please mark your calendar for the next Smart Growth Committee meeting on October 8th from 2pm-4pm at TJCOG. The subject of this meeting will be:
>  
> Regulating the Tower and Wireless Issue - Demystifying the Issue and Leveling the Playing Field
>  
>  
> The main presentation will be from Rusty Monroe and Jackie Hicks, of the Center for Municipal Solutions. There will be ample time for questions during the meeting, so come ready for discussion!
> 
> Please RSVP and let me know if you will be attending.
> 
> Hope to see you in October!
>  
> Bergen Watterson
> Planner II
> Triangle J Council of Governments
> 4307 Emperor Blvd., Ste. 110 | Durham, NC 27703
> (o) 919-558-2700 | (f) 919-549-9390
> bwatterson at tjcog.org | www.tjcog.org
>  
>  
> *E-mail correspondence to and from this address is subject to the North Carolina Public Records Act and may be disclosed to third parties unless made confidential under applicable law.
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> Triangle J Council of Governments | tjcog at tjcog.org | http://www.tjcog.org
> 4307 Emperor Blvd., Suite 110
> Durham, NC 27703
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