Council has endorsed a proposal to install a telecommunications tower at the Day Street Right of Way, south of Devald Road in the Holland Marsh.
The application to install the tower was submitted by Landsquared on behalf of Rogers Communications Inc, with the proposed area being leased by the municipality.
The 25 metre tower would be erected approximately 75 metres south of the Devald Road right-of-way and would help improve wireless service for residents, farmers, and visitors in the area.
The proposed tower is part of the CENGN smart agricultural program, which will bring 5G technology to the area.
The purpose of the tower is to accommodate antenna equipment from companies Roger's Communication Inc., Bell, and Freedom Mobile with some space made available to house municipal and public communication equipment.
The tower would be enclosed in a 75 square metre (807 square foot) compound with a high chain link security fence, topped by barbed wire.
The staff report received at Tuesday night's council meeting outlined some of the feedback received from members of the public and agencies on the tower proposal.
Under the town's official plan, the lands are designated as "Marsh Agricultural". According to the town's 2001 Official Plan, infrastructure and utilities (including telecommunications) have broad permissions and are permitted in most land use designations, and do not contain explicit policies regarding the siting of federally regulated infrastructure.
Last month, a virtual public meeting was held for residents to ask questions and provide feedback on the proposal. No public agencies had any concerns with the proposal.
Some of the common concerns from residents in the area were the overall effects the tower could have on their health, the loss of the agricultural lands, the "eyesore" it will cause, and the issue with it being in a flood plain. They also wondered if it was possible to seek out alternative location options.
The applicant noted that other locations had been considered but the proposed spot meets the requirements for coverage.
As for being in a floodplain, Landsquared confirmed that they have consulted with the LSRCA, who confirmed the tower would be in a regulated floodplain area, on an empty, unused farm, and recommended the structure be floodproofed.
In terms of health, the report noted that wireless installation is regulated by Health Canada's Safety Code 6 guidelines, which have safety limits of radio frequency transmissions and that they are lower than the allowable limits.
The report pointed out that the town actually has little authority when it comes to dictating if a tower can be erected or not. It is Innovation, Science and Economic Development Canada (ISED), a department of the Federal Government, that is responsible for the regulation of telecommunication towers.
Deputy Mayor James Leduc supported the proposal, noting the lack of Internet infrastructure in the Marsh.
"It is going to help them with their businesses and create opportunities," he said.
"I think it's a great opportunity for the Marsh to install a piece of key infrastructure to the area."
Coun. Jonathan Scott thanked the Economic Development Staff and Jody Mott from the Growers' Association for their efforts in getting the proposal approved.
"This is needed infrastructure for modern farming," he said. "We are going to be able to connect a lot of farms and residents throughout our two municipalities (Bradford and King) to the broadband Internet that they need."
A letter will be sent to the ISED on behalf of council endorsing the installation of the tower.
