Staff Report to Council Date: February 4, 2019 Department: Planning Application No.: Policy No. POL-0007 (Antenna Systems) Subject: Change to Council’s “New Transmission Tower Policy”

PURPOSE

To rename the current Council Policy around the installation of transmission towers from the current “Council Policy for New Transmission Towers” to “Council Policies for New Antenna Systems” and to amend the policy so as to align with the Radiocommunication and Broadcasting Antenna Systems Procedures published by Industry Canada.

BACKGROUND

Unless exempt from doing so under Section 6 of Industry Canada’s Radiocommunication and Broadcasting Antenna Systems Procedures, telecommunication service providers or applicants are responsible for abiding by the regulations set forth in the Procedures for public notification. Industry Canada requires applicants to contact the local Land–Use authority and either follow the process the municipality has established for public consultation around the installation of transmission towers or, if there is no process in place, to abide by the public consultation requirements contained within Industry Canada’s Default Public Consultation Process.

The City of Langford established a New Transmission Tower Policy in 2008 that laid out the framework for public notification required by the applicants wishing to install a transmission tower or antenna system to engage in. Since 2008 few applications for antenna systems have resulted in the need to amend the policy to align with Industry Canada’s Default Public Consultation, and to municipal standards for Public Hearing notification.

Changes

• Instead of requiring a Public Hearing the applicant will be required to undergo a public information session, this removes terminology that is associated with the Local Government Act and ties the antenna system notification process to that Act;
• Properties within 150 m from the antenna system site receive notification 30 days prior to the scheduled public information session to align with Industry Canada standards;
• The applicant must erect a sign on the subject property that details the location of the proposed antenna system, ten days prior to the scheduled public information session;
• Notification information should follow Industry Canada’s Default Public Consultation Process-Public Notification Package (Appendix 1);
• All wording to match that of Industry Canada’s in referencing cell towers and the companies responsible for application and installation.

The 2008 New Transmission Towers policy required that the subject site of transmission tower be rezoned so as to accommodate a commercial use. This regulation contradicts Section 3.01.01 that allows transmission towers in all zones.

OPTIONS

Option 1

1. That Council adopts Policy No. POL-0007 Antenna Towers

OR

Option 2

2. Rejects Policy No. POL-0007 Antenna Towers

Respectfully submitted,
:lhm

Submitted by:
Lauren Morhart, MCIP,RPP, Planner 2

Concurrence:
Matthew Baldwin, MCIP, RPP, Director of Planning

Concurrence:
Chris Aubrey, Fire Chief

Concurrence:
Lorne Fletcher, Manager of Community Safety and Municipal Enforcement

Concurrence:
Adriana Proton, Manager of Legislative Services

Concurrence:
Michelle Mahovlich, P.Eng, P.Geo, Director of Engineering

Concurrence:
Leah Stohmann, MCIP, RPP, Deputy Director of Planning

Concurrence:
Braden Hutchins, Director of Corporate Services