Invitation for Public Input / Public Hearing Package - Freedom Mobile monopole (871 / 865 Station Avenue)

Invitation for Public Input

Proposed Freedom Mobile 30.0 metre Monopole Wireless Antenna Installation
located at 871 (865) Station Avenue, Langford, BC

March 13, 2017
BVI0046

Dear Neighbour,

Freedom Mobile (“Freedom”) is striving to provide high quality wireless communications services to Canadians. Increasingly, Canadians depend on wireless voice, data and internet communications for business, personal enjoyment and personal security reasons. In order to launch Freedom Mobile’s wireless service in the Greater Victoria area, Freedom is proposing the construction of a new radiocommunications installation. Freedom has commenced consultation in accordance with City of Langford’s New Transmission Tower Policy for one of these new facilities.

Please be advised that there will be a Public Hearing on April 3, 2017 at 5:30pm. The meeting will take place at City Hall Council Chambers, Third Floor, 877 Goldstream Avenue.

PROPOSAL DETAILS:

Freedom is proposing to install a 30.0 metre monopole tower at 871 (865) Station Avenue, Langford, BC. The subject property is zoned CS1 - Service Commercial. The land uses immediately adjacent to the subject site are commercial. The installation consists of a monopole 30.0 metre in height, with four (4) cluster mounted panel antennas and a two (2) microwaves. The equipment compound will be located at the base of the monopole and enclosed in chain link fencing. The pole is required to support Freedom’s antennas in order to provide wireless communication network service within a few kilometres of the proposed location.

REGULATORY AUTHORITY:

Telecommunication providers are required by Innovation, Science, and Economic Development Canada (ISED), formerly Industry Canada, to consult with the local municipality and the general public regarding new installations. Freedom is committed to meaningful consultation with the City of Langford and the public. The City of Langford has adopted New Transmission Tower Policy to define Council policy with respect to telecommunication towers and antennas, outline community consultation procedures, and to describe municipal expectations with regard to minimizing community impacts from those structures. This letter provides written notification to adjacent landowners and stakeholders with an opportunity to engage in reasonable, relevant, and timely communication regarding this proposal. You have received a copy of this notification package because your property, or a property you have an interest in, is located within 150 metres or less from the proposed installation. The closing period for written comments regarding the proposal is March 31, 2017; however, you can make comments in person at the Public Hearing meeting on April 3, 2017 which begins at 5:30pm. Any inquiries that are received as a result of this notification will be logged and submitted to the City of Langford as part of our application process.

Purpose

The purpose of the proposed facility is to help Freedom provide wireless coverage in Langford and surrounding areas. Currently, there are no existing antenna support structures or other feasible infrastructure that can be utilized; as a result, this new antenna support structure is required. An aerial photo of the proposed location and a photo-simulation of the proposed tower is included as part of this notification package.

Location

The tower will be located at the coordinates N 48.444534, W -123.505881°. It is proposed to be located at 871 (865) Station Avenue, Langford, BC at the rear of the property in the storage area. The pole is well setback from the street and the antennas equipment will be mounted flush to the pole. The top of the pole will be taller than the existing buildings located on the property.

Health & Safety of Wireless Facilities

ISED manages the radio communications spectrum in Canada and requires cellular telecommunications facilities to comply within the guidelines set by Health Canada in order to protect people who live or work near these facilities. These Health Canada safety guidelines are outlined in their ‘Safety Code 6’ document and are among the most stringent in the world. All Freedom facilities adhere to and are generally well within these standards. Freedom attests that the radio installation described in this notification package will be installed and operated on an ongoing basis so as to comply with Health Canada’s Safety Code 6 for the protection of the general public including any combined effects of nearby installations within the local radio environment.

Site Access

Access is existing through the parking lot of the property. Construction is anticipated to take 30 to 45 days. Once complete, the site will only be accessed for routine maintenance visits which typically occur once or twice a month. To safeguard the site from the general public, the tower base and equipment shelter will be enclosed by a fence.

Environment

Freedom confirms that the installation is excluded from environmental assessment under the Canadian Environmental Assessment Act.

Design

This proposal is for a 30.0 metre monopole with flush mounted antennas and accessory equipment cabinets enclosed in a chain-link fence. A preliminary design of the site plan, compound plan and monopole profile are included in this notification for your reference.

Transport Canada

The pole will be marked in accordance with the Department of Transportation and NAV Canada requirements. Comments are pending.

Structural Considerations

Freedom confirms that the antenna structure described in this notification package will apply good engineering practices including, structural adequacy during construction. The facility will be built to the National Building Code as well as the BC Building Code.

Local Municipality

The City of Langford’s New Transmission Tower Policy is to define Council policy with respect to telecommunication towers and antennas, outline community consultation procedures, and to describe municipal expectations with regard to minimizing community impacts from those structures.

General Information

General information relating to antenna systems is available on ISED’s Spectrum Management and Telecommunications website:
http://www.ic.gc.ca/eic/site/smt-gst.nsf/en/h_sf01702e.html

Contacts

Freedom Mobile

c/o Tawny Verigin of Cypress Land Services Inc.
Agents for Freedom Mobile
Suite 120, 736 Granville Street
Vancouver, BC V6Z 1G3
Telephone: 1-855-301-1520
Fax: (604) 620-0876
Email: publicconsultation@cypresslandservices.com

City of Langford’s Contact Information

If you have questions regarding the City of Langford’s “New Transmission Tower Policy” please contact:
Sarah Herring, Planner at (250) 478-7882 or email Sherring@cityoflangford.ca.

ISED

Vancouver Island Office
1230 Government Street, Room 430
Victoria, BC V8W 3M4
Telephone: 250-363-3803
Fax: 250-363-0208
Email: ic.spectrumvictoria-victoriaspectre.ic@canada.ca
(By appointment only)

Visuals

Photo Simulations

BEFORE / AFTER
Artist’s rendering of proposed facility, looking southeast from Station Avenue.
Note: Photo-simulation is for conceptual purposes only.

Site Plan and Compound Layout

Tower Profile

COMMENT SHEET

PROPOSED RADIOCOMMUNICATIONS TOWER
871 (865) STATION AVENE, LANGFORD, BC
FREEDOM MOBILE SITE: BVI0046

1. Do you feel this is an appropriate location for the proposed facility?

• Yes
• No

Comments

2. Are you satisfied with the appearance / design of the proposed facility? If not, what changes would you suggest?

• Yes
• No

Comments

3. Additional Comments

Please provide your name and full mailing address if you would like to be informed about the status of this proposal. This information will not be used for marketing purposes; however, your comments will only be used by Freedom Mobile in satisfying the City of Langford’s “New Transmission Tower Policy”.

Name (Please print clearly)
Email Address
Mailing Address

Freedom Mobile c/o Cypress Land Services Inc.
Suite 120, 736 Granville Street, Vancouver, BC V6Z 1G3
Attention: Tawny Verigin, Municipal Affairs Specialist

Thank you for your input.

Public Notices (Newspaper Clippings)

NOTICE OF PUBLIC HEARING
Cypress Land Services Inc., on behalf of Freedom Mobile, intends to construct a telecommunications tower at 871 (865) Station Avenue, Langford, BC. All persons who believe their interest in property is affected by the proposed development will be afforded an opportunity to be heard or present written submissions respecting this proposal at a Public Hearing to be held CITY OF LANGFORD COUNCIL CHAMBERS, Third Floor, 877 Goldstream Avenue, Langford, BC, on Monday, 03 April 2017, at 5:30 pm. Please be advised that no representations may be received by Council after the close of the Public Hearing and any submissions made to Council, whether orally or in writing, will form part of a public record.

Proposal: To construct a 30.0 metre wireless telecommunications monopole tower and equipment compound.
Applicant: Cypress Land Services Inc. on behalf of Freedom Mobile
Location: 871 (865) Station Avenue, Langford, BC as shown shaded on the plan.

Information about the proposed development may be viewed from 8:30 am to 4:30 pm, Monday to Friday (holidays excluded), from Monday, 20 March 2017 to Monday, 3 April 2017, inclusive, at Langford City Hall, 2nd Floor, 877 Goldstream Avenue, Langford, BC, V9B 2X8. Please contact Sarah Herring in the Planning Department at 250-478-7882 or Tawny Verigin of Cypress Land Services Inc., Agents for Freedom Mobile at 604-620-0877 with any questions on this proposal.