Markham eyes tougher cell tower rules
“It should send a message that we are not interested in adding more poles,” said Thornhhill Councillor Howard Shore.
Adopted by town council last Tuesday, the revised policy for the establishment of telecommunication facilities in Markham added mostly minor revisions to the town’s existing policy.
Most of them are inconsistent with guidelines set out by Industry Canada, which has exclusive jurisdiction over cell towers.
For example, while Industry Canada exempts new antenna systems and structures less than 15 metres tall, municipal review is required by the Town of Markham.
Towers located in industrial, institutional and commercial zones are exempt from public consultation, but a policy revision states that should only be the case in Markham, provided the tower is a minimum of 120 meters, or a distance three times the tower height (whichever is greater), away from homes, schools and day cares.
Mr. Shore believes that’s not enough.
He made several proposals, including towers of any height within 300 meters of homes being deemed by the town as having potential impacts on the community, the environment or the existing urban fabric of the town.
“I’m not afraid of technology,” Mr. Shore said, adding cell towers are an eyesore and pose “legitimate” health concerns.
He described the replacement Bell tower in the Longos plaza at Bayview Avenue and Laureleaf Road as “a rocket ship” with a diameter larger than the original tower.
He suggested telecommunications companies consider using existing traffic light poles and light standards instead.
“We are already accustomed to seeing them,” Mr. Shore said.
With cell towers falling under federal jurisdiction, “They can say, ‘Screw you’ anyway, but you gotta try,” Mr. Shore said. “Otherwise, you sit on your hands and do nothing.”
He said the idea is for Markham to set a standard of rules and to get other municipalities to collectively write to Industry Canada to implement more strict conditions.
Thornhill resident Evelin Ellison went further to say that 500 meters should be the minimum requirement for cell tower set-back near schools and residential areas, even though she’d prefer a 1,000-meter restriction.
Ms Ellison told councillors she counted 13 Rogers cell towers in Thornhill.
“It’s a lot,” she said.
Ms Ellison applauded the town for taking a “proactive initiative” to lead the way on cell towers.
“I know there’s a magnetic field,” she said.
However, not everyone can say that for certain.
Resident Brian Gordon expressed concerns that added restrictions from Markham, albeit minor, will prevent cellular companies from providing him with “a five-bar service”.
Mr. Gordon pointed out that Markham is the high-tech capital of Canada and said he’d like to see faster Internet speed and fewer calls being dropped.
He said while public health seems to be the driving motivation behind the revision of the policy, there is still no conclusive scientific evidence on health risks associated with cell towers.
In addition to adopting the revised policy, Markham council also voted to have town staff consider the proposed additional changes from Mr. Shore and report back.
According to Mr. Shore’s website, residents will have the opportunity to comment on Bell Mobility’s application at 7 Harlech Crt., likely toward the end of February.
- By L.H. Tiffany Hsieh
- |
- Jan 30, 2012 - 11:24 AM
- |
Markham’s new guidelines aimed to minimize the impact of cellphone towers on the community provides only “nominal” protection, says one councillor.
“It should send a message that we are not interested in adding more poles,” said Thornhhill Councillor Howard Shore.
Adopted by town council last Tuesday, the revised policy for the establishment of telecommunication facilities in Markham added mostly minor revisions to the town’s existing policy.
Most of them are inconsistent with guidelines set out by Industry Canada, which has exclusive jurisdiction over cell towers.
For example, while Industry Canada exempts new antenna systems and structures less than 15 metres tall, municipal review is required by the Town of Markham.
Towers located in industrial, institutional and commercial zones are exempt from public consultation, but a policy revision states that should only be the case in Markham, provided the tower is a minimum of 120 meters, or a distance three times the tower height (whichever is greater), away from homes, schools and day cares.
Mr. Shore believes that’s not enough.
He made several proposals, including towers of any height within 300 meters of homes being deemed by the town as having potential impacts on the community, the environment or the existing urban fabric of the town.
“I’m not afraid of technology,” Mr. Shore said, adding cell towers are an eyesore and pose “legitimate” health concerns.
He described the replacement Bell tower in the Longos plaza at Bayview Avenue and Laureleaf Road as “a rocket ship” with a diameter larger than the original tower.
He suggested telecommunications companies consider using existing traffic light poles and light standards instead.
“We are already accustomed to seeing them,” Mr. Shore said.
With cell towers falling under federal jurisdiction, “They can say, ‘Screw you’ anyway, but you gotta try,” Mr. Shore said. “Otherwise, you sit on your hands and do nothing.”
He said the idea is for Markham to set a standard of rules and to get other municipalities to collectively write to Industry Canada to implement more strict conditions.
Thornhill resident Evelin Ellison went further to say that 500 meters should be the minimum requirement for cell tower set-back near schools and residential areas, even though she’d prefer a 1,000-meter restriction.
Ms Ellison told councillors she counted 13 Rogers cell towers in Thornhill.
“It’s a lot,” she said.
Ms Ellison applauded the town for taking a “proactive initiative” to lead the way on cell towers.
“I know there’s a magnetic field,” she said.
However, not everyone can say that for certain.
Resident Brian Gordon expressed concerns that added restrictions from Markham, albeit minor, will prevent cellular companies from providing him with “a five-bar service”.
Mr. Gordon pointed out that Markham is the high-tech capital of Canada and said he’d like to see faster Internet speed and fewer calls being dropped.
He said while public health seems to be the driving motivation behind the revision of the policy, there is still no conclusive scientific evidence on health risks associated with cell towers.
In addition to adopting the revised policy, Markham council also voted to have town staff consider the proposed additional changes from Mr. Shore and report back.
According to Mr. Shore’s website, residents will have the opportunity to comment on Bell Mobility’s application at 7 Harlech Crt., likely toward the end of February.
http://www.yorkregion.com/news/article/1288513--markham-eyes-tougher-cell-tower-rules
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