Companies rush to beat deadline
Nov 29, 2007 - 02:10 PM
By Keith Gilligan
AJAX -- With a deadline approaching, a new crop of towers are going up across Ontario.
On Jan. 1, 2008, municipal approval will be needed before towers needed to transmit cell phone calls can be erected. What that means is the towers are "popping up all over Ontario," says Ward 4 local Councillor Pat Brown.
Recently, a 41-metre (135-foot) tower was erected on Shoal Point Road at Salt Drive.
"A 41-metre tower suddenly appears right across the street from houses," says resident Ron Esler. "No one is accountable for that."
He lives south of the tower and has spoken with people in his neighbourhood about it.
"I haven't heard anything from the neighbours. I tried to raise some awareness and I haven't heard back from the neighbours," he states.
He's spoken with Coun. Brown and an assistant of MP Mark Holland, who said the situation would be reviewed.
Mr. Esler says when he first contacted the municipality, he was told the company "proceeded without municipal approval or consultation. They were within their right to do that."
Until Jan. 1, erecting the towers falls under the jurisdiction of Industry Canada.
Mr. Esler says about two weeks before the tower was erected, crews were levelling the land.
When the service hut went up, "that was mysterious. It was innocuous because no one knew what was going on," he adds.
The tower parts were dropped off a couple of days before it was put up. "Then it was there," he states. "I'm disturbed this could take place without anyone hearing about it.
"I notified everybody I could. I imagine people right across the road would be more upset. It will impact their property values," he says.
Coun. Brown says she's had two calls from constituents about the tower, including one from Mr. Esler.
The company "did apply for site plan approval, even though it's not required. The Town sent it back and said it's not appropriate," she says.
"We can't do anything about it," Coun. Brown says, adding with the Jan. 1 deadline, "they're getting in under the wire."
Putting in an application with the municipality is a "courtesy," Mr. Esler stated.
"It's quite perplexing it could happen" and no one has a say, he added.
Bruno Scopacasa, a planner with the Town, said a new policy is being developed and will be in place early in 2008.
"Industry Canada has advised us to develop our own process," he said.
The new Town process will probably involve a company having to file for site plan approval.
If the Town and proponent can't come an agreement on the location of a tower, "Industry Canada can step in and make a decision," he added.
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