Plans for a new 35-metre monopole telecommunications tower at 1750 Mann St., located just north of Crofton in a mainly industrial area, are moving forward.
North Cowichan’s council voted at its meeting on Aug. 20 to send a letter of concurrence to Innovation, Science and Economic Development Canada in support of the construction of the cell tower, proposed by SLI Towers Inc.
The Radiocommunication Act authorizes the ISEDC to give approval for the installation of cell towers and antenna systems, and regional governments do not have authority to override ISEDC’s decisions.
But ISEDC has its own guidelines that service providers must follow as part of its application process to place towers, including consultations with local residents and encouraging local governments to get involved early in the siting process and provide either letters of concurrence or non-concurrence for projects proposed for their jurisdictions.
In a letter to council, SLI said the proposed tower is designed to improve wireless service in the area of Crofton and along Crofton Road, and would address the continually increasing demand for high-quality data and voice services that have become essential to local residents.
“A switch from land lines to mobile devices also means that mobile networks are the primary means of accessing 911 and emergency services, for which reliable wireless coverage is vital,” SLI said.
“This coverage solution will address the poor cellular service issues directly and positively impact connectivity in the area. [The proposed tower] has the ability for co-location for all carriers and wireless internet providers, including Bell, Rogers, Telus and Freedom Mobile.”
North Cowichan development planner Amanda Habkirk said the proposed tower complies with most of North Cowichan’s siting and design policies for the placement of cell towers.
She said the tower would be located approximately 177 metres from the nearest residential property, which meets ISEDs regulation of a minimum setback of three times the height of the tower, but does not comply with North Cowichan’s siting policy which calls for a 500-metre distance from residential properties.
Habkirk said SLI intends to include visual screening methods for the tower, such as maintaining vegetation, adding wood-board fencing, and painting the tower to camouflage with surrounding trees.
“The applicant has met the policy requirements for signage, newspaper advertisements, mailed public notification, and a public-information meeting,” she said.
“No feedback was received from adjacent property owners or the public.”
