Lakeshore councillors aren't ready to sign off on a new cell tower meant to improve wireless data and voice services.
The proposed 50-metre telecommunications tower would go up on Puce Rd. and County Rd. 42, with Shared Network Canada applying to use some farm land close to the nearby built-up residential area.
Rogers Communications is interested in using the tower to improve poor coverage in the area.
The revised proposal brought forward to council on Tuesday night would see the tower set back a total of 350-metres from the roadway and would be installed along the treeline of the property. However, while residents in the area are supportive of improving services, they're not happy the tower would be so close to home.
Councillor Linda McKinlay doesn't feel this is simply a "not in my backyard" issue and stresses residents are opposed to the tower for a couple of reasons.
"Not just because they think it's an ugly tower; they're really concerned about future development in that area and I feel they know more about that than we do — they hear the rumbles out there for the new homes and everything," says McKinlay. "There's even a certain element that's concerned about medical reasons to not live that close to a tower."
A proposed telecommunications tower planned to be installed on land at 460 Puce Rd. in Lakeshore. (Photo courtesy Town of Lakeshore)
McKinlay says the town is a victim of its own success with companies looking to catch up with the booming growth.
"The companies that bring the towers to us, they plan five years ahead even 10 years ahead and, in fact, the neighbourhood expands in that time and companies need to keep up," says McKinlay.
She expects cooler heads will prevail and settle on a final spot for the tower.
"The company is going to have another public meeting and the public is going to have an opportunity to hone in more on what their specific problems are and I expect there will be a compromise," says McKinlay. "These companies are very good to work with and I expect that a compromise will be met."
Council now expects a public meeting to be setup before it decides to give its consent to the project.
The federal government through Industry Canada has the final say on the tower placement, but looks to work with local authorities to find suitable locations.