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Consultation has concluded
Recently members of the public have raised concerns about a lack of mobile phone service and data coverage in developing areas of Colwood.
Concerns were related to things like safety for students being able to contact parents as well as the impact of low cell service on educators, local business owners and residents.
The City recognizes that restrictive zoning rules may be impediments to the installation of infrastructure necessary to improve mobile phone service in South Colwood. As a result, Colwood Council directed staff to develop a new telecommunications antenna systems policy that better aligns the City’s regulations with Federal Policy.
The City is now seeking stakeholder and public input regarding the DRAFT Antenna System Siting Policy which was compiled to align with updated Federal Policy and the Colwood Official Community Plan. It is also intended to provide guidance on preferred locations, design and visual aesthetics.
BACKGROUND
In Canada the federal Minister of Innovation, Science and Economic Development has authority to approve antenna system installations under the Radiocommunication Act .This authority cannot be overridden by a local government.
The process to get approval for a new antenna system is outlined by the federal Client Procedures Circular for Radiocommunication and Broadcasting Antenna Systems which was updated in July 2022. This federal policy includes provisions for municipalities to develop local policies for consultation and design guidelines. Under this system, the City has 120 days to consider either providing or withholding support for a proposed telecommunications antenna.
POLICY OVERVIEW
Greater clarity with the addition of a definition section;
Revised location preferences including support for new towers in Light Industrial, Mixed-use Employment Areas as well as the undeveloped portions of Royal Bay;
More in-depth design guidance and the requirement that development permits be sought for new systems installed on existing buildings;
Revised consultation requirements including increasing the public notification radius from 500m from a tower site, to three times the height of the proposed antenna system, which matches ISED’s policy.
Removal of reference to required set-backs from towers to property lines; and
Inclusion of policies to support co-location of CREST’s emergency communications equipment on new towers.
SHARE YOUR THOUGHTS BELOW
Use the virtual sticky notes below to share your thoughts and suggestions regarding the draft policy.
Recently members of the public have raised concerns about a lack of mobile phone service and data coverage in developing areas of Colwood.
Concerns were related to things like safety for students being able to contact parents as well as the impact of low cell service on educators, local business owners and residents.
The City recognizes that restrictive zoning rules may be impediments to the installation of infrastructure necessary to improve mobile phone service in South Colwood. As a result, Colwood Council directed staff to develop a new telecommunications antenna systems policy that better aligns the City’s regulations with Federal Policy.
The City is now seeking stakeholder and public input regarding the DRAFT Antenna System Siting Policy which was compiled to align with updated Federal Policy and the Colwood Official Community Plan. It is also intended to provide guidance on preferred locations, design and visual aesthetics.
BACKGROUND
In Canada the federal Minister of Innovation, Science and Economic Development has authority to approve antenna system installations under the Radiocommunication Act .This authority cannot be overridden by a local government.
The process to get approval for a new antenna system is outlined by the federal Client Procedures Circular for Radiocommunication and Broadcasting Antenna Systems which was updated in July 2022. This federal policy includes provisions for municipalities to develop local policies for consultation and design guidelines. Under this system, the City has 120 days to consider either providing or withholding support for a proposed telecommunications antenna.
POLICY OVERVIEW
Greater clarity with the addition of a definition section;
Revised location preferences including support for new towers in Light Industrial, Mixed-use Employment Areas as well as the undeveloped portions of Royal Bay;
More in-depth design guidance and the requirement that development permits be sought for new systems installed on existing buildings;
Revised consultation requirements including increasing the public notification radius from 500m from a tower site, to three times the height of the proposed antenna system, which matches ISED’s policy.
Removal of reference to required set-backs from towers to property lines; and
Inclusion of policies to support co-location of CREST’s emergency communications equipment on new towers.
SHARE YOUR THOUGHTS BELOW
Use the virtual sticky notes below to share your thoughts and suggestions regarding the draft policy.
