Replies

1. 
   gdavis62 | May 03, 2005 03:15pm | #1

   Architects design buildings.  Engineers design the structure that enables the building to not fall down, collapse in an earthquake, or blow over in a hurricane.

   Architects typically collaborate with, or hire an engineer, to deal with the issues of foundation design, structural member sizing and connections, and roof structures.

   Someone on the board that is to approve your tower must know all this.  It's why they wanted an engineer's review and signoff, and not an architect's.

2. 
   VaTom | May 03, 2005 03:58pm | #2

   To refresh the topic, Our Town is creating a law for the zoning document concerning wind energy conversion systems. They are moving into our area fast. We really need to get a law on the books.

   Katie, I don't remember the original, but zoning is a matter of regulating use.  It's the most powerful tool to use, or abuse, governing land issues.  Sounds like you simply want to define where wind farms are appropriate and where they are not. 

   With every zoning change somebody wins and somebody loses.  Sometimes lawsuits arise.  A more frequent situation is when the zoning department changes their interpretetation of existing rules.  Often that's the road taken, attempting to prevent protests and lawsuits.  A backdoor approach with no public hearings, allowing the bureaucrats free rein.

   From what you wrote, I have no idea of your problem.  You're wanting to ban wind farms?  If so, first you define what they are, then where they may go, and not.

   A sleepy county next door here has a zoning issue in the courts now, possibly heading for the Supremes, which will define what is "hunting", a protected right.  It may prove extremely costly for the municipality.  With development, that's life. 

   PAHS Designer/Builder- Bury it!

1. 
   berrygirl70 | May 04, 2005 12:50am | #7

   Hi

   Our Town does not have any law concerning wind energy conversion systems yet. They are in the process in developing a set of laws for this. We do hold public hearings, require permits, ect. What we are looking for is a law (guideline) for the people putting the towers in, to go by.

   We have neighboring communities having problems because they did not have a law or complete law on wind towers, and now there are issues that have come up and it all seems like a big mess. To avoid such issues, for everybody concerned, we would like to have a law on the books.

   We have been researching other communities that have such a law, trying to come up with something that all involved can agree upon.

   The Town is neither against or for these towers. Granted there are some residents that are not happy about the idea, but that's not our issue. Our issue is coming up with a law so there is a guide for those who choose to go along with this. I know in some of the other commuities, there is a lot of conflict over this. Today I saw several signs in another town that pertained to the wind towers and they said, "good idea, bad area". But for that area it is a little too late, there is a battle there because they were not prepared and this is what we want to avoid.

   Thank you

3. 
   Dave45 | May 03, 2005 04:34pm | #3

   Katie -

   You might want to check with the state government to determine which kind of engineer can do what in your state.  In California, we're regulated by the Department of Consumer Affairs and Civil/Structural Engineers would do structural work (including seismic issues), Mechanical Engineers would handle HVAC and piping systems, Electrical Engineers deal with electrical supply and distribution, etc.

   Depending on your state laws, you may need multiple stamps with appropriate disclaimers on a set of plans - or multiple plan sets with the applicable stamps for the various disiplines.   I don't know of any state that allows one stamp to cover all disiplines.

4. 
   MrEnergy | May 03, 2005 07:21pm | #4

   In most places, if it is a structure, an architects stamp is as good as an engineers stamp, I believe. That is assuming that he is willing to take on the liability ... and provide the required documentation. Many architects are structurally savvy and work with it regularly. Most are not ...

   Architects by trade are trained to do full structural analysis. Most choose not to and hire an engineer while they worry about form, function, fire egress and a multitude of other issues.

    

   What's the wind energy issue?? I missed it. I'm interested in alt. energy issues and would like to understand your concern/argument/complaint/ etc.

1. 
   jcormier | May 03, 2005 10:59pm | #5

   As a Structural Professional Engineer, I'd have to disagree that an Architect is fully trained in performing a structural analysis.  Although it is not difficult to size members for common structures with straight-forward conditions, span lengths, etc. (like a home), more complicated structures and conditions should be reviewed by a PE.

   It sounds like the original poster is referring to a cell tower, that DEFINITELY should be reviewed by a PE, not an Architect!

1. 
   Stuart | May 03, 2005 11:27pm | #6

   For latecomers, whether Katie needed the signature of a PE or an architect was discussed a week or two ago, and she's just reporting back on the final results of her meeting. Here is the link to the original discussion: http://forums.taunton.com/tp-breaktime/messages?msg=57182.3

2. 
   berrygirl70 | May 04, 2005 12:54am | #8

   Hi

   Yes I am referring to a cell tower and finally we got our stamped plans from a PE. That's all we were requesting. There was bit of confusion on whether they are the same or not. We figured not, but was told they were. Any how we got what we were asking for and now we are ready for the hearing. Application is now considered complete.

   Thank you