Marlatt said the effects of exposure have been reviewed by Health Canada, and that the tower would give "less exposure than sleeping next to an alarm clock, watching television or using a cordless phone."
Tower in North Saanich turned down
Council votes against proposal for 45-metre cellphone facility
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Font: * * * * Kim Westad, Times Colonist
Published: Tuesday, January 09, 2007
A controversial cell tower proposed for North Saanich was given a clear thumbs-down by North Saanich council at a standing-room-only meeting last night.
Residents clapped and cheered as council voted unanimously against the proposal by Bell Mobility for a 45-metre tall communications tower on private property at 11074 West Saanich Rd. in Deep Cove.
But council's disapproval of the project doesn't necessarily mean it's over. The approval process for communications towers in Canada is set out in federal legislation. Companies who want the towers to improve or provide cell service -- Bell said another tower is needed to improve service to users in the Deep Cove area -- must consult with local governments.
But Industry Canada could still decide to approve the tower, particularly since it's on private land, although the federal government does consider local input seriously.
Council voted to send a letter to Bell, Industry Canada and Health Canada to say as strongly as possible that they don't want the cell tower at that site.
Residents ranging from electrical engineers to teachers and parents to a day-care operator packed council chambers to voice concern. The key issue was safety. Many questioned the long-term impact on people who have exposure to non-thermal electromagnetic radiation. A petition with 471 signatures opposed to the tower in Deep Cove was presented.
Bell proposed this summer that the tower be placed at the North Saanich fire hall, but many in the community were opposed. Bell came back with a proposal that it be erected a few blocks away on private land, at 11074 West Saanich Rd., near the intersection of Wain Road. That's about 400 metres from a day-care centre and the Deep Cove Elementary School, which has 400 students.
"The Playhouse Day Care has been in operation since 1962. There has never been an issue that has caused us, the parents and children as much concern as this," day-care operator Walt Lord said to applause from the 150-strong crowd. "What have we done to deserve this?"
The safety of the 89 children who attend the day care is at risk, Lord said, as well as other residents within 400 metres of the proposed tower.
Residents are also concerned about the visual impact of the tower, what it will do to property values, and question whether it is a hazard to nearby air traffic and migratory birds. After concerns about the fire hall site, Marlatt said Bell looked for another suitable site where the tower wouldn't be as visible.
Bell has three towers within five kilometres of the proposed site, but needs another on higher land to improve its service to cellular phone users in Deep Cove, said Chad Marlatt, real estate co-ordinator for Bell Mobility. Marlatt said the effects of exposure have been reviewed by Health Canada, and that the tower would give "less exposure than sleeping next to an alarm clock, watching television or using a cordless phone."
Rogers has approached Bell to put antennas on the tower as well, Marlatt said, indicating the need for improved service in the area.
The tower would be screened by Douglas fir trees, and be set back 50 metres from the road. Five metres of the tower would be visible above the trees, and would be painted green, he said. Marlatt said Bell is open to co-locating with other carriers to lessen the impact on communities.
Council's letter against the proposal will also be sent to the Union of B.C. Municipalities, to see if they can increase municipal involvement in such applications and approvals.