KAWARTHA LAKES-A proposed cell tower on Gil-Mar Road has been put on hold to allow further consultation with area residents.
Residents who are concerned about the location of the tower at 1988 Heights Road accessible from Gil-Mar Road made a deputation to council on Tuesday. The residents say they were not given an opportunity to voice their concerns before the project was approved. Their concerns lie in three key areas such as public consultation, environmental assessment and timelines required for the building of the cell tower.
Leah Barrie, Director of Development Services, updated Council on the project: Pre-consultation on the project took place in July 2019, followed by public consultation in October 2019. The process included public notification through the newspaper and notices sent to landowners within a 225-metre radius of the proposed site. The application was approved in March 2021.
Residents claimed Rogers had only three years from March 2021 to build the tower and failed to do so, giving council a chance to re-examine the project.
However, the City says a development agreement was executed in February 2023 allowing Rogers to start building.
Barrie says during the pandemic, the need to fill cell gaps was accentuated and Council approved an updated telecom policy. This policy allowed for the Director of Development Services to approve a Reconcurrence (reconsideration of approval after expiration) as long as a series of criteria are met. This is the case with the current agreement and all permits have been reissued after a lengthy delay during the pandemic.
The residents stressed they weren’t against the tower. They say they are concerned about its proposed location close to wetlands.
Councillor Ron Ashmore made a motion to temporarily suspend approval of the project until further public consultation is held. It passed unanimously.
Any additional questions or comments from the public will be accepted by Planning staff before July 31, 2024 and responses provided. Please contact: Manager of Planning John Connolly at [email protected] or by calling 705-324-9411.
