Presentation: Proposed TELUS Radiocommunications Facility

Consultation for Telecommunications Facilities?

• TELUS is exclusively regulated by the Federal Government through Industry Canada (IC).
• Although Industry Canada has the final authority over radiocommunications towers and facilities under the Radiocommunications Act, Industry Canada requires carriers to consult with land use authorities prior to the installation of most antenna sites (CPC-2-0-03 Issue 4).
• Different land use authorities have different regulatory requirements for public consultation:
  • Telecommunications policies/protocol;
  • Permitting process may be required;
  • If there is no policy, Industry Canada requires the carriers to follow the Default Public Consultation Process (CPC);
  • Many land use regulation bylaws permit the use in all zones;
  • Building Bylaws may not require BP application based on minimum square footage requirement.

Consultation Process for 2101 Munn Road, View Royal

• TELUS submitted a development permit application (DP) to View Royal in December 2011.
• TELUS is in the process of completing IC’s Default Public Consultation Process to fulfill the public consultation component as the DP process does not require public consultation.
• Notices were mailed to all property owners within 180 metres of the facility.
• Notice was placed in the Goldstream Gazette on January 18, 2012.
• Project was discussed on January 10, 2012 with ‘View Royal, Committee of the Whole’.
• Comments from interested stakeholders are required by February 20, 2012.

TELUS’ Existing Network

Location of Proposed TELUS Facility

Photo Simulation of Proposed TELUS Structure (From 2359 Munn Road looking southwest)

Before

After

Why locate tower here? TELUS Wireless Service with New Facility

Existing Coverage

Improved Coverage

TELUS 60 metre Lattice Tower

Site Plan Layout for TELUS Tower Site

The Need for Network Improvement in View Royal, Highlands and Saanich

• TELUS needs to upgrade its network in the View Royal, Highlands and Saanich areas to provide important wireless coverage for personal, business and emergency services.
• Wireless is today’s infrastructure. Wireless is the communications highway that allows businesses to grow and friends and families to stay in-touch.
  • Half of all phone connections in Canada are now wireless
• Wireless communications is becoming a necessity to support emergency services (i.e. Police, Fire, Ambulance).
  • 57% of all 9-1-1 calls are from mobile phones.
  • Tower would be available for use by C.R.E.S.T.
• 2010 marked the year when mobile data transactions eclipsed traditional voice
• Data traffic is expected to double every year until 2014 – this means neighbour cell sites will provide service to smaller areas.

Industry Canada’s Definition of Relevant and Reasonable Concerns

Broadly speaking, Industry Canada considers the following concerns in the public consultation process:

• Visual impact;
• Design;
• Colour;
• Location;
• Operations of the radiocommunications facility;
• Compliance with environmental or transportations laws;
• Existing structures.

Common Public Concerns/ Challenges

While communities want the wireless service, typical concerns include:

Health and Safety

• Standards established by Health Canada’s Safety Code 6 (SC6) to ensure public safety;
• IC does not consider this a valid concern.

Aesthetics

• Communities want the service but not the infrastructure.

Property Values

• No studies conclusively indicate a negative or positive impact;
• IC does not consider this a valid concern.

QUESTIONS