Council will have its say Monday on the proposed placement of a 33-metre (108 ft.) cell tower at the Five Corners Church property.
At the Dec. 4 development and planning services committee meeting, council voted unanimously in favour of a referral for the proposed tower installation proceeding to the Dec. 11 council meeting. Council’s decision at that time would conclude consultation required by city and federal policies.
The proposal, from Cyprus Land Services on behalf of Telus, is for a 33-m tower and associated facilities (fencing, equipment shelter and generator) to be placed on the roughly seven-acre property at 3160 10th Ave. SE. According to Federal Innovation, Science and Economic Development Canada’s public consultation process, and city consultation Policy 3.18, the proponent is required to consult with the city prior to installation of the tower.
A staff report explains the proponent has met the city’s consultation requirements, and had widened the notification area to include additional properties. The city’s planning department noted how, aside from required consultation, installation of cellular towers falls under the exclusive jurisdiction of the federal government and its agencies, meaning the city’s bylaws do not apply. However, city senior planner Chris Larson said considering the property’s acreage reserve land-use designation in the official community plan, and natural screening onsite, “this fits the preferred location criteria in the city’s policy.”
Coun. Louise Wallace Richmond asked if the commercial transaction would impact the church’s permissive tax exemption. Larson said he didn’t know if the church has considered that.
Coun. Tim Lavery asked to have Telus attend the Dec. 11 council meeting. Larson said a representative was expected to be in attendance for the committee meeting, “so we’ll certainly make sure they’re in attendance next week.”
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