Rogers defends move to install antenna in Kirkland backyard
Albert Kramberger
The Gazette
Wednesday, April 11, 2012
Rogers installed this antenna in a private yard on Acres St. in Kirkland in March. (PETER McCABE/The Gazette)
Rogers Communications said it did everything by the book based on Industry Canada regulations in regards to recently installing a tower in a Kirkland backyard.
Dozens of people living near 75 Acres St., a residential strip of single-family homes with valuations in the $400,000 range, were horrified when a tower that stands about 15 metres was erected in the backyard in one day without prior notice two weeks ago. They fired off a petition to city hall demanding it be torn down.
City officials, who said they didn't approve a work permit for the tower, are promising to look into the matter on behalf of disgruntled neighbours and to set up a meeting.
Rogers officials, however, said the company had the approval of Industry Canada, the federal authority that regulates radio-communication and broadcasting installations.
For towers under 15 metres, Industry Canada does require communication companies to follow a public consultation process, according to Rogers representative Stephanie Jarrold.
"This tower is just under 15 metres," she said. "The tower also adheres to Safety Code 6 calculations (set by Health Canada).
"Yes, it's in a residential area and yes, Industry Canada accepted it," she added.
Since it falls under federal jurisdiction, Rogers did not need to seek a zoning change nor a work permit from the city in order to install the tower, Jarrold said, adding all its paperwork went through the Industry Canada process for approval.
Rogers added the tower to improve its wireless service and determined the Acres backyard was a suitable location from a technical standpoint, she said.
Rogers usually pays a fee to property owners for allowing them to erect a tower or antenna installation, Jarrold said, but she declined to divulge details.
According to one neighbour, Rogers had contacted several homeowners last fall about placing a tower on their property, offering a fee of about $200 per month.
"I don't understand how they could put something like that in a residential area," said a neighbour, who asked his name not be published. "I will fight this. I hope the city will fight for us," he added.
Industry Canada requires any cell phone company proposing an antenna tower to follow federal procedures.
"The company must consult with the local community as required and address relevant concerns. It must also satisfy Industry Canada's general and technical requirements, including Health Canada's Safety Code 6, aeronautical safety, interference protection and environmental requirements. Under rare circumstances where an agreeable solution for a site is not possible, Industry Canada may need to make a determination based on the facts presented," stated Industry Canada spokesman Antoine Ouellon.
To read editor Brenda O'Farrell's views on this story, click here.
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