Residents near Canon Smith Park in Saskatoon are pushing back against crown corporation SaskTel’s plan to build a cell tower a mere 35 metres from residential homes.
The problem? Residents oppose the 35-metre high tower’s visual impact and potential property value drops.
Danny Boyer, who lives in the area, started a petition that has since garnered 110 signatures from neighbours opposing the tower. He noted the park is a beautiful, popular space. “Are we more concerned about SaskTel getting their coverage, or are we more concerned about the residents of the city that get the coverage from SaskTel?”, he said to the Star Phoenix.
Other residents who raised concerns to SaskTel feel like they have been dismissed, along with considerations of other sites. SaskTel said alternate locations were poor choices due to
Homeowner Kristine Eggertson worries property values could drop due to the ugly nature of a cell tower nearby. Sight lines need to be considered when cell towers are close to city parks she says.
But SaskTel spokesman Greg Jacobs defended the plan, stating the tower is necessary to improve cell service in the area. He says they have considered numerous other sites. For now, the tower does not have approval yet.
“Other locations are too close to residential areas; other locations otherwise don’t conform to the City of Saskatoon’s antenna system policy,” said Jacobs. SaskTel wants to lower the tower’s impact by installing it near existing utility buildings while following federal guidelines from Innovation, Science and Economic Development Canada (ISED).
Now, it looks like resident concerns are being heard, as told to yesterday’s planning, development and community services committee meeting.
Darryl Dawson, manager of Saskatoon’s development review section. He said updating the city’s antenna policy would be worth considering.
He explained that the city has three options once the consultation process is complete. They can issue a letter of approval if all requirements are met, a letter of rejection if the requirements are not met, or a rejection letter even if the requirements are fulfilled but the issue remains controversial.
SaskTel plans to continue consulting with the city and residents before seeking final clearance from ISED, which holds ultimate authority over such projects. ISED will consider issues raised over tower locations, but property values and 5G concerns are not, as part of the process.
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Ah the entitled Karren's and Kyle's are out in full force already. What an absolute crock.
We do expect to have mobile services everywherel This requires antennas. I remember two areas of Calgary years ago where there were "no antennas or good coverage" due to one or more people holding it up. The moble companies were eventually able to put their (tall) towers in place and nothing bad happened. The coverage is good now. This "Karen" group is in the wrong. SaskTel paid for the right to use the spectrum.