A telecommunications project planned on Mount Bruce won’t be subject to a public consultation requirement in Salt Spring’s protocol for antenna systems, as the island’s Local Trust Committee (LTC) voted to exempt a Rogers Communications application to extend a current tower to 55 metres in height.
“There’s about 10 towers up on Mount Bruce right now,” said Cypress Land Services partner Chad Marlatt, who brought the proposal on behalf of Rogers.
Marlatt said the communications company was decommissioning a different antenna near a Navigation Canada site on Mount Tuam, and that the additional height atop Mount Bruce is expected to cover the difference.
“This tower will be replacing a lot of the service that [Mount Tuam] tower provides on the south end of the island, and will also enhance services mid-island,” said Marlatt. “They are losing that tower in August, so we’re trying to expedite the process as much as possible, still staying within LTC policies.”
Telecommunications infrastructure is regulated by the federal government through Innovation, Science and Economic Development Canada (ISED); local governments act as land use authorities and provide comments and concurrence, according to staff, but final authority over antenna siting rests with ISED.
The Salt Spring Island Antenna System Siting and Consultation Protocol includes several exemption criteria that apply to the tower project, according to a staff report, including its location, and that the proposal involves modification of an existing tower, rather than establishment of a new site.
Marlatt said despite seeking the exemption from the consultation process, Cypress would still make the application to the LTC. In addition, despite the lack of ground disturbance — the new tower will sit on the old one’s existing foundation — Marlatt agreed they would provide notice to local First Nations.
Interesting, but what is the tower for? Cell phone users? If so, what servicer providers? What areas will be served?