Rogers extends West Van cell tower consultation period
Upon the request of the District of West Vancouver, Rogers Inc. has extended the public input period for its proposed 29.5-metre tower off Taylor Way.
In December, the communications company mailed letters to West Van residents within a 90-metre radius of the telecommunications tower, slated to be placed in the median between Highway 1 and the west bound off-ramp. Those homeowners had 30 days to reply on the joint Rogers and Telus venture.
Although the district has no say regarding the project, as it would be built on Ministry of Transportation land, Rogers has agreed to expand the public consultation area and extend the feedback deadline.
“We want to work with our communities and municipalities,” said Sara Holland, Rogers western region communications manager.
Early next week, property owners within an additional 90-metre radius should receive notices. The larger zone picks up an extra 25 houses and the community has until Feb. 21 to respond to the plan.
“We haven’t had any comments at this point,” Holland said on Jan. 18.
West Van Coun. Bill Soprovich is hoping to change that. This week he was busy going door-to-door in the neighbourhood explaining the situation.
By placing the tower on the highway, Rogers is trying to skip over the municipality’s regulations, he said, noting the district’s bylaws state such structures can’t be place in or around residential areas. If approved by the province, the project could set a bad precedent, Soprovich added.
“We could end up with a highway of cell towers as new companies come in,” he said.
The tower is needed to upgrade outdated technology and provide improved wireless coverage for West Van Rogers and Telus customers, Holland said. In addition to meeting consumer needs, the improvements are critical to ensuring the accessibility of emergency services, such as fire, police and ambulance, she told The Outlook.
raldous@northshoreoutlook.com
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