qathet Regional District’s planning committee is recommending a telecommunications siting policy to the regional board.
At the March 10 planning committee meeting, regional directors voted to direct staff to use Innovation, Science and Economic Development Canada’s client procedures circular called radio-communication and broadcasting antenna systems to guide the processing of applications for telecommunications towers and antenna systems.
The initiative came from Telus Communications Inc. trying to locate a tower in Lund that would provide cellular and internet service. The proposal was eventually dropped by Telus, leaving Lund without the upgrade.
Electoral Area A director and board chair Patrick Brabazon said at the planning committee meeting that because of the situation at Lund, he is drafting a letter to the president of Telus, because, as part of the board resolution, the board asked Telus to come back.
“Following that resolution we communicated with what we thought was the responsible person in Telus corporation,” said Brabazon. “We’ve had no reply. I’m going to carry on with the board resolution and I’m just going to go up the ladder, asking that they come back and do a comprehensive assessment.”
According to a staff report, on September 25, 2019, the regional district received correspondence from Cypress Land Services, on behalf of Telus, regarding a telecommunications facility proposal for a private property in Lund. On October 8, 2109, the planning committee received a presentation from Chad Marlatt of Cypress Land Services regarding a proposed new Telus wireless antenna installation at 9561 Larson Bay Road in Lund.
The staff report indicates on November 12, 2019, the planning committee received a presentation from Jason Lennox, chair of the Concerned Citizens of Lund, opposing the Telus proposal.
On November 28, 2019, the regional board adopted three resolutions. They included that the board write a letter to Cypress Land Services indicating the board was pleased that they had withdrawn from the Larson Bay Road site. The board also directed staff to explore a telecommunications siting policy.
The board also stated that it expected Telus to return to Lund and complete a fair and comprehensive survey of all available sites.
On December 10, 2019, the planning committee received correspondence from Cypress Land Services, on behalf of Telus, that they would no longer be proceeding with any proposed wireless infrastructure upgrade in Lund.
In response to the November 28 resolution, staff surveyed how other local governments in British Columbia process applications for proposed telecommunications towers. Staff engaged with 16 governments and received 12 responses.
Based on research, staff indicated they see no value in developing a telecommunications site policy, particularly if it replicates the federal default process.
