Letter to Deborah A. Todd from Standard Land Company (Feb 6, 2012)

RE: PROPOSED TELUS TELECOMMUNICATIONS TOWER – 2101 MUNN ROAD (BC0553)

Thank you for your letter received on January 26, 2012 regarding the siting of TELUS’ proposed telecommunications facility at 2101 Munn Road, View Royal, BC.

TELUS continually strives to provide the best wireless services across Canada. The proposed facility represents a significant investment by TELUS to ensure best in class wireless services are available to the surrounding community. This improved wireless service will benefit those who live, work and travel through the area including local residents, businesses, first responders and others.

There are a number of variables considered when siting radiocommunications facilities including, but not limited to, collocation or use of existing structures, availability of a land owner willing to enter into a long term agreement, vehicle access to the facility, access to electrical services, existing vegetation/tree cover and topography, soil conditions, the visual impact of the structure on surrounding properties and the travelling public, and air traffic safety. After carefully considering of the above, TELUS determined that the proposed site location is suitable. More specifically, the existing BC Hydro structures (typically 35 metres in height) are not an adequate height to utilize for an antenna installation, the proposed structure will be appropriately located adjacent to existing similar above ground infrastructure, the site has existing access and reasonable access to electrical service, it is well setback from the majority of surrounding properties (500+ metres), is surrounded by a number of mature trees for natural screening, is at a highest elevation in the immediate area and is in a location that does not impact aeronautical travel. In addition to the above, the specific location required for the proposed telecommunication facility must fit in with TELUS’ network requirements (i.e. existing/neighbouring cell sites). In this instance, the proposed location fits in with the overall network and will operate effectively within it to ensure that the facility provides the surrounding community with important wireless coverage for personal, business and emergency services.

Your letter referenced the Town of View Royal’s tree cutting bylaw. TELUS has designed the site and access to limit the removal of mature and significant trees. It should be noted that the Town of View Royal has already issued the tree removal permit. This permit allows for up to eight (8) trees to be removed. The majority of trees in the immediate vicinity will be preserved.

While you have referenced the registered restrictive covenant (“RC”) for the protection of sight lines, TELUS cannot comment on the historical intent of it to screen from view the BC Hydro transmission corridor to the north. The lands impacted by the RC do not encompass lands in the northern portion of the expropriated areas that would protect sight lines to the north (specifically in the direction of the proposed TELUS structure). In fact, the area impacted by the RC is several hundred metres to the south.

TELUS understands that a small portion of the tower will be visible from your home in the horizon. The proposed structure is located approximately 520 metres to the northeast of your home beyond the forested area (I have attached a map for reference). TELUS believes that both the distance between your home and the existing forested area will largely minimize the visual impact of the structure (please see the attached photo taken from the front of your home of a helium balloon floated at a height to 61 metres simulating the visibility of the structure’s height). Structures, such as the one proposed, are commonly found in suburban and rural settings and are often visible in the distance from various locations within communities. It is TELUS’ opinion that the proposed location at 2101 Munn Road does not unreasonably impact the natural setting, while at the same time meets the important wireless needs of the surrounding community.

With the above in mind, TELUS has taken into consideration your concern and re-analyzed the radio frequency coverage objectives. As a result of this analysis, and in an effort to help further reduce visibility of the structure from your home, TELUS is willing to reduce the height of the tower a further twelve (12) feet (or approx. 3.75 metres). The reduced height will marginally impact service to the surrounding area. Please note that the helium balloon was floated at a height of 61 metres and the tower is proposed to be 60 metres therefore the overall difference in height (from what is seen in the attached photo) is just over 15 feet or 4.75 metres. While TELUS cannot entirely confirm that this will completely remove visibility of the structure in the horizon beyond the forested area when looking northeast from your home, it will assist in further reducing its visibility.

Please indicate if the above is acceptable. If you have any questions or concerns or would like to discuss the above or attached, please do not hesitate to contact myself toll free at 1-877-687-1102 or by e-mail to chadm@standardland.com. As per the requirements stipulated in Industry Canada’s CPC Issue 4, you have fourteen (14) days to respond or until February 20, 2012.

Yours truly,

STANDARD LAND COMPANY INC. Agents for TELUS

Chad Marlatt Manager, Land Projects (BC)

Encl.

cc. Town of View Royal, Mayor and Council Jeff Chow, Senior Planner, Town of View Royal Annette Richards, Senior Real Estate and Government Affairs Manager, TELUS