|
|
| «Latest ‹Forward News item: 2806 Back› Oldest» |
| City has no power over cellphone towers | |
| Canada | Created: 17 Feb 2008 |
|
The city has no authority when it comes to the installation of new cellphone towers, a staff report going to city council's planning committee on Tuesday concludes. There are now three applications from Telus Canada to set up new telecommunications towers in the city. The report states that Industry Canada makes all installation decisions because cellphones are federally regulated. New procedures adopted by Industry Canada Jan. 1 require public consultation with the affected local municipality, but those came into effect after Telus made its application in 2007. Some neighbours located near one proposed tower at 868 Valleyview Dr. have recently voiced concerns about possible health effect of electromagnetic emissions. The other two proposed towers, located at 42 and 1951 Lansdowne St. W. have "not generated any public reaction that staff are aware of," the report states. Representatives from Telus will be present at Tuesday's meeting, although they are under no obligation to, the report said. Staff have also been advised that Telus plans to meet with concerned property owners. Coun. Henry Clarke, who lives in Monaghan Ward where the proposed Valleyview Drive tower would be located, said he supports the neighbourhood. "They're upset about it and they're concerned and so we need to do what we can to address that." The biggest problem is the city has no control over the decision, he said. "We've got to find a way at making our opposition and displeasure very clear to the (federal government) so they're going to take a hard look at it." Planning committee chairwoman Ann Farquharson said councillors will have many questions for Telus and is happy representatives will be at the meeting. She also wants a map detailing where all cellphone towers are in the city. "Like anything else it's a relatively new technology that there may turn out to be medical issues or may not. It's the uncertainly," Farquharson said. "If we have no control that could be quite frustrating. That may be the case." Industry Canada says there are 13 cellphone stations already in the city. Steven Partridge, a Valleyview Drive resident, said he's not sure if he'll be at Tuesday's meeting "but for sure there will be a member of the community there." |
|
|
|
|
| Click here to view the source article. | |
| Source: Peterborough Examiner, FIONA ISAACSON, 16 Feb 2008 | |
| «Latest ‹Forward News item: 2806 Back› Oldest» |