A simulation of what a proposed 30-metre telecommunications tower would look like in downtown Kentville. Photo by ContributedArticle contentThe Town of Kentville is not in favour of the location for a proposed telecommunications tower.THIS CONTENT IS RESERVED FOR SUBSCRIBERS ONLY.Subscribe now to access this story and more:Unlimited access to the website and appExclusive access to premium content, newsletters and podcastsFull access to the e-Edition app, an electronic replica of the print edition that you can share, download and comment onEnjoy insights and behind-the-scenes analysis from our award-winning journalistsSupport local journalists and the next generation of journalistsSUBSCRIBE TO UNLOCK MORE ARTICLES.Subscribe or sign in to your account to continue your reading experience.Unlimited access to the website and appExclusive access to premium content, newsletters and podcastsFull access to the e-Edition app, an electronic replica of the print edition that you can share, download and comment onEnjoy insights and behind-the-scenes analysis from our award-winning journalistsSupport local journalists and the next generation of journalistsRegister to unlock more articles.Create an account or sign in to continue your reading experience.Access additional stories every monthShare your thoughts and join the conversation in our commenting communityGet email updates from your favourite authorsSign In or Create an AccountorArticle contentBell wants to place a 30-metre antenna tower at 314 Main St., southwest of the Bell building and near the town hall parking lot. It would enhance wireless and broadband coverage in and around Kentville and support mobile devices like smartphones and tablets.Article contentArticle contentThe proposal requires federal approval from Innovation, Science and Economic Development (ISED) Canada. No building permits are required from the town. Transport Canada and NAV Canada permits have been applied for.Article contentArticle contentCanacre Ltd., on behalf of Bell, requested a statement of concurrence from the town. Council unanimously passed a motion July 28 to issue a statement of non-concurrence based on the tower being closer than three times its height from a property line, which conflicts with the town’s municipal planning strategy (MPS), and it is in the general commercial zone where towers are strongly discouraged under the land use bylaw.Article content“It is very important that Kentville gets complete coverage,” Coun. Rob Baker said. “But if it’s inconsistent with the MPS than I am sorry, I can’t support putting a tower there.”Article content A map showing where Bell is proposing to erect a 30-metre telecommunications tower to enhance wireless and broadband coverage in Kentville. Photo by ContributedArticle contentBell looks at a variety of factors when determining a site. They include elevation, aesthetic impacts, planning regulations and road access.Article content“Proposed tower sites go through a review process by various Bell Mobility departments, including radio-frequency engineering, real estate, construction, and signal transport departments, before a site is accepted and this location was determined to be the most appropriate location to propose the tower,” Canacre’s Pauline Pangilinan said in a letter to the town.Article contentArticle contentThe company notified property owners with 90 metres of the proposed tower and placed ads in this newspaper. Residents had 30 days to submit written comments. It received one.Article contentA Canadian Radio-television and Telecommunications Commission (CRTC) report from 2013 said that about 70 per cent of 911 calls in Canada are wireless.Article content“I think we do need the coverage. Just look at the people who don’t have home phones anymore,” Mayor Andrew Zebian said. “It’s important we have more coverage. If there’s an alternate site, it would probably be preferred.”Article contentWhile the town doesn’t have approval authority, chief administrative officer Chris McNeill said he thinks council’s decision would bear weight.Article content“So, I expect they would give a second look to this to see if there is another alternate location.”Article content
Kentville council asks Bell to seek alternate location for cell tower
