Rogers still undecided on Taylor Way cellphone tower
Nearly one month after Rogers Communications closed public input on its proposed cellphone tower sites at the top of Taylor Way, the company said it’s no closer to selecting a location.
In June, the communications company held an open house to highlight six possible locations for a new cellphone tower. Originally, Rogers wanted to build a 29.5-metre tower on provincial land on the grassy median between Highway 1 and its westbound Taylor Way off-ramp. The proposal, which is also backed by Telus, quickly met with opposition from the community and Rogers promised to work with the municipality to come up with alternatives.
Approximately 35 people attended the June meeting at Hollyburn Country Club, Rogers spokesperson Marina Guy told The Outlook. Of those individuals, 26 completed questionnaires.
The company also distributed approximately 250 consultation packages to households in the areas around the five proposed alternative sites. Additional packages were sent out electronically to the presidents of the Cedardale and British Properties Home Owners associations, Guy said.
“We completed feedback and we met with West Vancouver staff,” she noted.
Rogers plans to meet with the district again because the municipality has requested further information, Guy said. After the upcoming meeting, Rogers will assess what direction to go in, she said.
Councillor Bill Soprovich warns the company needs to look to areas away from people’s homes if they want the backing of the community.
“Most people at that meeting just wanted it to go away,” Soprovich said.
If Rogers, for example, places the tower in the treed area adjacent to Highway 1, north of Capilano River, Soprovich believes few would protest.
It may cost the company more money, but it would win them good favour, he notes.
The tower is needed to address holes in coverage, Rogers says.
newsroom@northshoreoutlook.com
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