CCP 06-17-2002 - Laserfiche WebLink

Home Browse Search

. . e ~ ~ EN HILLS MEMORANDUM 2.C DATE: June 12,2002. TO: Joe Lynch, City Administrator FROM: Dave Scherbel, Building Official rif'l~ SUBJECT: Arden Tower Backl!rouud City staff had reason to believe the 700 foot Arden Tower located at 1770 Gateway Blvd. was not in compliance with state and local codes. The City discovered that the tower, which was originally approved for three antenna groupings of 5, all over the 600 foot level, had numerous antennas added to the structure over the years without any permits, City approvals, or changes to the Special Use Permit. Compounding the problem was the fact that the tower !\yver was designed for the additional loading of 1/2" radial ice required at the time, by the code. For these reasons, and the fact that we received an engineering report stating that the tower's legs were overstressed in 680 feet of the tower, and had a severely bent shape in the wind, staff declared the tower unsafe. Staff requested an engineering report from the tower owner (Mr. Vaughan) relating to the safety of the tower. Mr. Vaughn submitted an engineering report stating the tower did not comply with current code. Mr. Vaughan since has submitted an engineering report stating that if he were to remove the top 80 feet of his tower, it would then be code compliant. Report The City hired an independent engineering company to not only review Mr. Vaughan's report (on removing 80 feet from the tower), but to complcte an independent report that included: I. Tower Mapping - showing all antennas or objects on the tower. 2. Ultrasound Testing - to determine the extent of corrosion, if any. 3. Structural Integrity - regarding the structural integrity ofthe tower. 4. Review ofMr. Vaughan's Report - on removing 80 feet from the tower to bring it into compliance.