Town councillors and dozens of residents of Oakley Ward don’t want to see a cell tower go up on Hwy 118 East but it may go up anyway.
During last week’s Bracebridge general committee meeting, councillors voted 6-1 against providing a conditional Letter of Concurrence to Innovation, Science and Economic Development Canada (ISED) to allow the construction of a new cell tower at 2819 Highway 118 East, which currently operates as Goodale Marina.
While the committee declined to sign off on the project, ISED does not ultimately require the Town’s approval to build the tower.
According to a Town of Bracebridge staff report, the performance of the wireless network is dependent on the geographical location of its equipment, the height of its antennas, line of sight requirements, the demand customers place on the network and the proximity to the network users. In expanding its wireless network, Rogers is seeking to improve service for the areas surrounding Highway 118 East/Milne Road, Wood Lake and surrounding communities.
Nonetheless, the committee heard that the response from residents of the area on the proposal had been overwhelmingly negative.
Coun. Barb McMurray, who represents the ward where the tower would be located, said coverage in the area is just fine as is.
“Why are we even looking at this sit? It just doesn’t make sense,” she said. “It could be on a hill near there and it wouldn’t have to be 300 ft high.”
Coun. Andrew Struthers, the sole council to vote in favour of the letter of concurrence, said this council and previous ones had asked the provincial and federal governments for increased coverage for many years.
There was some discussion of new locations for the tower on the property but councillors were told their only option was to approve or deny the letter of concurrence, not to provide suggestions.
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Norm Raynor says
Who told the council they couldn’t make suggestions? If they can’t suggest possible locations for the tower then why did they even bring the issue to council?
Rob Adams says
Councilors should have the final say, after consulting with their constituents. That’s the democratic process. These things are an eyesore and a blight on the landscape. We don’t need to see these things ruining our area.
Bob Braan says
It should be required that any approved new cell tower must look like a tree instead of an eyesore on the landscape. Some towers look like trees now. They all should.