By: Christian Collington, Local Journalism Initiative Reporter, TheIFP.ca
Bell Mobility is seeking to install a new 40-metre telecommunications tower on a portion of land at 10241 Eighth Line in Georgetown.
The proposed tower would serve to improve wireless coverage in the Georgetown area. Bell noted that all equipment required to operate the facility would be housed in an enclosed shelter at the base of the tower.
Public meeting details
Bell Mobility will be hosting a public information meeting on Thursday, Nov. 12 from 7-8:30 p.m. at the Gellert Community Centre, giving residents an opportunity to provide feedback and ask questions about the proposal.
Comments will be accepted until Friday, Nov. 13 and can be submitted by phone at 403-261-6514, by fax at 403-263-5263 or by email at notify@scottland.ca.
According to Halton Hills’ telecommunications protocol, any request to install a telecommunications tower or antenna system on town-owned land must first be made to the town.
Telecommunications antenna and tower systems fall under federal jurisdiction and are governed by the Radiocommunication Act, administered by Innovation, Science and Economic Development Canada (ISED).
Provincial and municipal legislation, including zoning bylaws, do not apply to these installations.
What the town can do
Under its telecommunications protocol, the town can issue a Letter of Municipal Comment — which is the formal and final word in the local consultation process — expressing either “concurrence or nonconcurrence” with the proposal.
The letter is prepared following evaluation of all submitted materials, public input and discussions with Bell and affected agencies. If Bell has satisfied the town’s requirements, staff will issue a formal notice of concurrence. If the town’s concerns have not been addressed, staff will note nonconcurrence.
A finding of nonconcurrence does not give the town authority to stop construction, but it carries real weight as the application can be referred to a town committee or directly to council for further deliberation. A request that ISED intervene with a dispute resolution process can also be made.
Under the protocol, Bell is also expected to respond to all written concerns within 14 days and address them within 60 days.
If significant community concerns are raised, the matter can be escalated to a town committee or council, with a further option to request ISED intervention.
The town may submit comments, concerns or requests for design changes to ISED but does not have the authority to halt construction.
Additional contacts
Residents can also direct questions to the town by contacting town planner John McMulkin at 905-873-2600 ext. 2339 or via email at jmcmulkin@haltonhills.ca.
For residents wishing to raise concerns with their federal representative, Milton East—Halton Hills South MP Kristina Tesser Derksen can be reached at 416-341-4812 or via email at kristina.tesserderksen@parl.gc.ca.