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Home My WebLink AboutPSD-030-01 . , , Cl~glOn REPORT PLANNING SERVICES DEPARTMENT Meeting: GENERAL PURPOSE AND ADMINISTRATION COMMITTEE Date: Monday, October 22, 2001 ]) i5 Resolution #:01'Ih5/t)'-O / Report #: PSD-030-01 File: PLN 18.7 By-law #: Subject: TELECOMMUNICATIONS TOWERS Recommendations: It is respectfully recommended that the General Purpose and Administration Committee recommend to Council the following: 1. THAT Report PSD-030-01 be received for information. Submitted by: Dav' . Crome, M.C.I.P.,R.P.P. Director, Planning Services "",,;owed by.~F u nklin Wu /u Chief Administrative Officer CS*BN*DJC*SH October 17, 2001 947 . REPORT NO.: PSD-030-01 PAGE 2 1.0 INTRODUCTION Industry Canada, under the Radio-communication Act is responsible for radio communication in Canada including antennas and the supporting towers. A Municipality's powers through the Planning Act do not provide for regulation of the location of telecommunication towers. Over the past 3 years, eighteen new telecommunications towers have been erected in the Municipality of Clarington. In recent months, the Municipality of Clarington has received complaints regarding the erection of these towers. There are two primary concerns, the appropriateness of the location of the towers in relation to other land uses and the lack of public notice for surrounding residents. In response to the concerns raised regarding the towers, the Planning Services Department has initiated a review of the ways and means in which the Municipality can minimize the impact of telecommunication towers. 2.0 PROPOSED APPROACH There are a number of steps to consider in this review process, including reviewing federal regulations and processes, contacting other municipalities to see how they deal with similar situations and defining the role that the municipality has in influencing the location of towers and notifying the public. As a first step, Staff has met with representatives from Industry Canada to discuss the federal regulations and approval process for telecommunications towers. Industry Canada noted the growing concerns across the country with respect to telecommunication towers. As a result, Federal authorities are requiring greater consultation with land use authorities (municipalities) and encouraging public consultation. Municipalities are encouraged to develop protocols to neQotiate the optimal siting of towers without prohibiting the placement of the structure (see Attachment 1). 948 REPORT NO.: PSD-030-01 PAGE 3 Planning staff have developed a work program to develop such a protocol for Clarington. This will include consultation with the telecommunications industry, Industry Canada and residents. There are currently 3 pending applications for telecommunication towers. Staff will not be dealing with these applications until such time as we report back on a municipal protocol. 3.0 CONCLUSIONS As the telecommunications industry grows, the Municipality will experience an increase in demand to accommodate telecommunications facilities. While there is no municipal authority to regulate telecommunication towers, the Federal Government is identifying a role for municipal government in the approval process. Staff are reviewing procedures and developing a protocol for future tower sites. Attachment 1 - Industry Canada Presentation CORPORATION OF THE MUNICIPALITY OF CLARINGTON 40 TEMPERANCE STREET, BOWMANVILLE, ONTARIO L1C 3A6 T (905) 623-3379 F (905)623-0830 949 ....0 (J1 c::J Presentation to Corporation of Municipality of Clarington October 15, 2001 Watson Reed, Manager, Licensing, Toronto District Industry Canada, Spectrum Management ~ > C'> J: ~ m z -I ~ Moving to a Knowledge-Based Economv · Our Federal Government wants Canadians to be frontrunners in the global, knowledge-based economy. · Telecommunications, and particularly wireless mobile and . future wireless broadband services are crucial to making ~ Canada the most connected country in world · Why: · To improve the climate for economic growth and job creation · To i~crease Canada's share of global trade · To improve conditions for investment & innovation performance · The GTA has been the place where most new innovative services are introduced and implemented WHO USES the SPECTRUM? MOBILE SERVICES I .....: . · Public Safety · Cellular & Cordless · Paging ~ · Many Businesses · Baby Monitors · Garage Door Openers · AM FM Radio · Television · Remote Events · Film crews · Traffic Reporting · Military Instrument ~.~ -Maritime rt~a · Aeronautical Systems .RADAR Ii?_~ -Satellites & Space ~t,,+ ~ · Weather Aids - Industrial, Scientific & Medical II -Government (Prov & Fed) ~>> · Municipal Services ,./'-c"-- ex .;::I:~ ~c.;-- ... D.' D..' · Meter Reading ~ -Traffic Control ':I. If D D II -...0 LT1 V.J Client Procedure Circular, CPC-2-0-03 · Documents origins over a decade old but its reason d' etre more applicable now that ever · Intent is to provide ALL land-use authorities with a mechanism to make their views known to tower proponents · All tower proponents proposing significant structures must consult (Including police and Broadcast) · Optimize locations of necessary infrastructure without overly restricting and prohibiting '-0 Ln ~ Client Procedure Circular, CPC-2-0-03 · Why the Partnership with Yau? - Weare not a land use authority - Radiocom & Telcom providers need uniform national policy for effective implementation - Competitive businesses and new knowledge based economies will require wireless services - Land-use authorities are best positioned to contribute to optimum siting of facilities - Recently in Vaughan & Richmond Hill local rate payers did not accept claims that municipal authorities were powerless in the issue of antenna structure siting -...0 V1 V1 Client Procedure Circular, CPC-2-0-03 · What Should the Goal of a Land Use Authority Be in Antenna Siting: - Ensure that optimal siting takes place without prohibiting placement of the structure - Be cognizant of significant developments and concerns in their communities - Avoid the NIMBY syndrome as the rationale for not h~ving the towers - Underestimating or ignoring concerns will cost all levels of government in resources spent defending our actions Protocols ~for the Siting ~f Antenna Supporting Structures for Wireless Systems: ~ - '-0 LJ1 0'- · Early and Broad consultation drafts are a benefit for all · Many we have seen tend to regulate in areas without full understanding of the ramifications or the necessity to regulate. Example Painting, Lighting, Height, application of restrictive site plan process or covenants · Intent is to negotiate the best fit into a community taking into account existing and planned land uses while exploring opportunities to minimize impacts of the antenna supporting structures Protocols ~for the Siting ~f Antenna Supporting Structures for Wireless Svstems - · See a need for a consistent planning protocol for All Municipalities · Weare committed to working with any Municipality -. To provide input in the protocol development to ensure that the ~ protocol is timely, relevant & does not technically restrict the ----..J operation of stations - To undertake a limited number of field measurements of specific areas, of concern in order to get an appreciation of actual levels - To participate in discussions with all stakeholders, including industry, to identify any technical & operational limitations with regard to proposed policies. Protocols _for the Siting ~f Antenna Supporting Structures for Wireless Systems - - · What makes a good Protocol? - Negotiates rather than dictates - Ability to fast track less significant structures like roof top or pole top antenna structures ~ - Ability to identify political sensitive locations and negotiates best information for concerned citizens - After due process all alternatives are examined and the bt(st choice will be made - Concerned citizens will have their questions answered