Despite four people voicing objections to a proposed cell tower near Brady Lake in Minden Hills, council agreed to a letter of concurrence for the project.
The Eastern Ontario Regional Network (EORN) said the tower would result in improved coverage and capacity to more than 1,000 households.
EORN’s Lisa Severson and Paula Preston said it would provide improved mobile service along Hwy. 118, currently served by two sites more than 20 kilometres apart.
They further said it would provide service for approximately 148 unserved households and 187 unserved parcels, and “overall provides improved coverage and capacity to approximately 1,091 households and 1,238 parcels.” They added it would address gaps in the northern quadrant of Minden Hills.
They pointed out this was the third location considered for the site, and “there is no time left in the project to find an alternative and complete the regulatory requirements.”
Spectra-Point Inc., on behalf of Rogers, said they’d done public consultation in the form of notifying people within the required setbacks; advertising in local newspapers; and a hybrid in-person and virtual meeting. They said 16 residents commented, with 11 in support of the tower “citing public safety, access to connectivity, and tourism as reasons why it should proceed.”
They said five residents don’t support the tower “due to concerns with possible property devaluation and health issues related to electromagnetic radiation from the tower. Several of these requested the tower be moved.” However, Spectra said the issues are deemed non-relevant concerns by the ISED (Innovation, Science, and Economic Development Canada).
Spectra said they did a natural heritage assessment and an environmental impact study, with some mitigation requirements they plan to adhere to. They asked for a council letter of concurrence.
However, Donna and James Conn told council, “as residents of Brady Lake, we have substantial concerns regarding the process, location, consultation, environmental impact, and land use compatibility associated with this proposal.”
Among their many concerns was that the tower “would have profound and irreversible impacts on: the visual landscape of Brady Lake; migratory bird habitat and adjacent wetlands and community cohesion and enjoyment of shoreline properties.”
Brady Lake property owner Heather Conn told council, “the Brady Lake community supports improved connectivity — but not through misrepresentation, lack of transparency, or avoidance of accountability. This project, as presently managed, fails to meet both the letter and the spirit of ISED’s public consultation framework and the ethical expectations of publicly-funded infrastructure.”
Emillie Jones also lodged opposition to the proposed tower, citing a flawed public consultation process, environmental concerns, inaccurate photo simulations, scaring people by saying this is the last attempt at the site, lack of information and community involvement.
Minden Hills director of planning, Amanda Dougherty, told council she felt the public consultation was completed in accordance with ISED protocol and the tower complies with land use requirements of the township official plan and zoning bylaw. She asked council to sign the statement of concurrence.
Coun. Shirley Johannessn peppered the EORN and Spectra delegates with questions, prefacing her comments with, “I can’t go personal with this because this is where I reside.” She said she had concerns, but wanted to look at the whole picture.
Council agreed to the letter of concurrence via a recorded vote, with Coun. Bob Sisson the only one voting against.
