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Town has no ability to make the call on cell towers Continued from page 1 9 · Wednesday, May 16, 2012 OAKVILLE BEAVER · www.insideHALTON.com Oakville, are important. Industry Canada directs cell companies to follow a town's radiocommunication facilities protocol, provided it is reasonable. "We're not planners. Our background is in radial and electrical engineering. We believe the LUAs are the experts in the planning," said Holt. "Where LUAs have concerns regarding a proposed system, in the context of the land-use expertise, the expectation is that reasonable alternatives and/or mitigation measures would be discussed with the proponents (cell company)." Holt said when a municipality refuses to go along with a proposed cell tower, the cell company has three choices. It can withdraw, amend its design to something the municipality will accept, or write Industry Canada and ask it to render a decision. This is where Oakville will run into problems if it goes with a 200metre separation distance. "If you put a 200-metre blanket setback, which has the effect of only allowing installations along the QEW corridor, that would be a problem because, in effect, there would be whole areas where cell towers could not go," he said. "We would not be supportive. If this type of issue were to come into conflict with a (cell tower) placement, we would likely rule in favour of the proponent (cell company)." Holt wasn't any more enthusiastic about the 20-metre separation distance between cell towers and schools and daycare centres, which Town staff · More Fun! · Exercise! · Self Confidence! · Meet People! · Grace & Poise! proposed believing it would appear more reasonable to Industry Canada. When asked by Ward 6 Town Councillor Max Khan if he would support the 20-metre setback, Holt said he would support a cell tower that complied with Safety Code 6, the Health Canada emissions regulations for cell towers, rather than a firm setback of any kind. "The 20-metres, I believe the carriers will address that with you as to whether they can live with that," said Holt. "They are better equipped to deal with that question." When asked by Ward 5 Town and Regional Councillor Jeff Knoll if a municipality can refuse a cell tower placement, Holt said, "No." Holt said he would take a "dim view" of a cell tower built in the backyard of an urban home and said if a cell company tried to jam a cell tower in the four-foot space between two homes he would do everything in his power to stop it. Holt also noted that when a municipality expresses concerns about a cell tower to Industry Canada, property values will be considered irrelevant as will health concerns since Health Canada has assured Industry Canada that Safety Code 6 is sufficient to protect residents from harm. Appeals for aesthetic reasons or because the cell tower was not wanted in a historical area were considered relevant, Holt said. When Ward 4 Town and Regional Councillor Allan Elgar asked why the Town has no control over location of cell towers, Holt noted railroads and airports are also exempt from municipal input. "If you put a 200-metre blanket setback, which has the effect of only allowing installations along the QEW corridor, that would be a problem because, in effect, there would be whole areas where cell towers could not go." Jack Holt, operations director Industry Canada in Oakville," said Holt. Council also heard from Health Canada Director General Beth Pieterson who stated Health Canada had looked at hundreds of studies on radiofrequency energy (the emissions that come from cell towers) in coming up with Safety Code 6. Under Safety Code 6, Pieterson said, the radiofrequency emissions from a cell tower are well below the threshold for potential harm. Another Health Canada official would later state cell tower emissions would have to be 50 See Medical page 18 For related story, see page 18 "Cell phones are needed by everyone, almost. There's an 80 per cent penetration rate advertised NOW AVAILABLE N E W SUPER SACS! Open 7 Days a Week We Specialize in Organic Compost Mixes For Better Lawns & Gardens Pick-up or Delivery 10 LESSONS for SPECIAL OFFER $ By yourself or with a partner. New Students Over 21 Only. 20 * www.petrie.ca 6TH LINE · TRIPLE MIX · TOP DRESSING MIX · BARK MULCHES · SAND · DECORATIVE STONE · GRAVEL 905 842-SOIL(7645) 4321 6TH LINE TRAFALGAR 225 Lakeshore Rd. E. (2nd Floor) between Dunn St. and George St. OAKVILLE 1092 Main Street W. near Cline Ave. HAMILTON MILTON 401 MISSISSAUGA 2 Locations to serve you better! 4TH LINE 740 WELLER CRT QEW SOUTH SERVICE RD WELLER www.fredastaire .ca 905 815-3237 905 522-3237 407 407 WYECROFT RD OAKVILLE DUNDAS (HWY5) QEW SPEERS RD. 740 DORVAL LOWER BASE 4321