A Pennsylvania man has told local officials he will not comply with a town council order that he remove a 24-foot illuminated cross from his property.

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Carl Behr told the Baldwin Borough Council during Tuesday night's meeting he will not give in to the demands in a letter sent to him Monday by the council, which said the structure must be removed within five days because it does not comply with borough code, the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette reported Wednesday.

Behr said those who oppose the cross are against God.

"This is a message I have to deliver," he said.

Borough Manager John Barrett said Behr needs a permit to install a structure such as the big cross on his property and he has yet to apply.

The council sent the letter to Behr after neighbor Lisa Fera said she believes the 24-foot cross and two others on Behr's property were built facing her house as an intimidation measure, WTAE-TV, Pittsburgh, reported. She said Behr was upset when she reported him to police for illegally parking construction vehicles in front of her home.