By Thomas Smith
Residents along Bobcaygeon Road and the surrounding area are questioning a 70-metre cell tower structure slated to be built on private land.
The proposed tower is located northeast of the Bobcaygeon Road and Scotch Line intersection in Minden. Residents were notified of the plans for the tower in February of this year. Innovation, Science and Economic Development Canada (ISED) requires residents within 210 metres of the tower be notified as part of public consultation.
David Hessels, a resident of Bobcaygeon Road says that 14 properties were notified of the tower. Feedback to the proposal was due on March 3, and many say that they did not receive the notice, despite living within the one kilometre radius catchment area; possibly due to damage to mailboxes and interruptions with services.
Frustrated, Hessels, as well as other residents that were notified, have been seeking for the township to speak against the tower.
Primarily, residents have cited their concerns being their health, environmental impact, the view, reduction of property values, and the general lack of wanting the tower near their properties.
Of the 20 properties that were notified of the pending construction, 13 have responded to the Hessels in agreement that the tower is not needed. With several of these homes having people that work from home, it is unclear where the need for the tower is coming from, says Hessels.
The Township of Minden Hills does not have a formal Tower Protocol Policy, and land use requirements refer to any relevant policies in the Official Plan and Zoning By-Law. Similar cell towers such as the proposed one on Minnicock Lake Road have also seen staunch opposition from nearby residents.
Hessels says that he and his wife have reached out to councillors of Minden Hills, but have received replies saying that they have no control or say over the matter.
Ultimately, ISED does not require municipal approval to build a cell tower.
“Concerns of citizens on Bob Lake and Brady Lake have similarly been pushed aside without proper consideration,” said Hessels.
While the tower has not gone to council yet, the Hessels and other residents in opposition of the tower feel that they have not been provided an adequate opportunity to publicly speak against the tower.
At the time of publication, the tower had not yet begun construction.
The Times will continue coverage as the story develops.
