Sylvan Lake councillors voted unanimously to oppose a 60 metre communications tower proposed by Rogers Communications for just west of 60th Street and south of the rail line.
The location is in the town’s future annexation areas and is slated for residential development in the Intermunicipal Development Plan (IDP) agreed to by the town and Red Deer County.
Councillor Dale Plante said “it’s just not good planning in this location.” He added it’s also a natural wetland area.
“It’s so close to residential that already exists,” said Councillor Jas Payne.
Councillor Chris Lust said the application points out “the real need for us to look at development, identify areas we want to protect because they’re wetlands, tree stands … look at how they fit into future development.”
Previous council had heard from resident Hope Jensen who opposed the site at their Oct. 15 meeting. It’s too close to current homes and it at the lowest elevation on the site, she said. “Why would you ever want an industrial site in the middle of residential?”
She was also concerned about the potential for more towers on the same site, lighting of the tower (do you want that shining over Sylvan Lake?), health risks and devaluing of home prices.
A staff report presented by Kim Devlin stated “administration does not support the proposed location as it is in a future residential and natural space area. This type of development would be better suited in an industrial area which is proposed within the IDP to the south of this quarter section.”
As a result of the motion passed, the town will notify Red Deer County and Rogers of its opposition.