HomeMy WebLinkAbout2007-LOCAL_LAW#2-EMERGENCY_RADIOLOCAL LAW #2 - 2007
EMERGENCY RADIO COMMUNICATIONS PROTECTION LAW
PURPOSE:
The purpose of this local law is to prevent interference with the countywide public safety
radio communications system which is used by emergency service providers in this
municipality and throughout Tompkins County.
FINDINGS:
1. Any structure exceeding fifty feet in height above the ground is a potential cause
of interference, interruption or severe degradation of the countywide public safety
radio communications system;
2. The public safety communications system was constructed at considerable cost to
taxpayers;
3. This municipality has invested funds to provide emergency service workers with
training and communications equipment to enable these emergency service
providers to effectively use the communication system;
4. The countywide communications system is crucial to the provision of police, fire,
medical, ambulance and other public services for those who work, reside or own
property in this municipality;
5. It is imperative that the emergency communications system be protected from
interference, interruption or degradation by the construction or modification of
any buildings or structures within the municipality.
REQUIREMENTS:
A. No person may construct or modify any structure, including but not limited to
any building, silo or windmill, exceeding fifty feet in height above the ground without
following the provisions of this local law;
B. No persons shall construct or modify any structure unless they submit detailed
design plans for the structure to the municipality. In addition to any other permit or
application fees, a fee of $100 must be submitted to the municipality in order to cover the
County's cost of hiring a radio communications expert to determine whether the proposed
new construction is likely to interfere with the countywide radio communications system;
C. In the event of potential interference the applicant shall be notified. If the
applicant wishes to proceed with the application they shall be required to pay any
additional costs for the radio communications expert to analyze the potential interference
and to propose appropriate remediation.
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D. In the event that the retained radio communications expert determines that the
construction or modification may result in interference, interruption or degradation of the
countywide communication system any approval of the site plan application shall be
conditioned upon the applicant making any and all remedial measures that the expert
determines are needed in order to avoid the interference, interruption or degradation;
E. No permit shall be given and no construction, alteration or modification may I
take place to any such building or structure until the radio communications expert notifies
the municipality that the structure will not interfere with the county-wide radio
communication system.
ENFORCEMENT:
A. The provisions of this local law may be enforced by the Municipality or the
County and shall include, but not be limited to, an injunction or specific performance.
Any person in violation of this local law shall be responsible for all costs and attorney's
fees incurred by the municipality or the County in enforcing the provisions of this law.
B. The violation of this local law shall constitute an offense, and a person guilty
of such offense may be punished by a fine not exceeding $250.00.
EFFECTIVE DATE:
This local law shall become effective upon filing with the Secretary of State.