BRUCEDALE – Telecommunication applications in Guelph/Eramosa will be reviewed by township staff moving forward.
For most of the last nine years the Canadian Radiocommunications Information and Notification Service (CRINS) has processed the applications on the township’s behalf.
“The township’s relationship with CRINS has deteriorated over the past year,” said clerk Amanda Knight.
She added CRINS representatives have been unresponsive to applicants and the township.
“Despite multiple attempts to contact [CRINS], staff have not heard from any [CRINS] representatives in months,” states a report in the Oct. 16 council agenda.
Though radiocommunications facilities are within the federal government’s jurisdiction, land use authorities such as townships must solicit comments from the public regarding problems with telecommunication proposals.
CRINS processes and evaluates proposals for telecommunications facilities on behalf of land use authorities. According to its website it is “a not-for-profit corporation owned and operated on behalf of member land use authorities.”
Guelph/Eramosa has partnered with CRINS since January, 2015.
Prior to that township staff processed applications internally, using a Guelph/Eramosa telecommunication protocol from 2002.
Staff have now updated the protocol. They researched other Ontario telecommunications protocols and applied components applicable to Guelph/Eramosa.
Knight said the township typically receives one to two telecommunications applications per year at most.
Applicants will pay an administration fee of $4,408 plus a $1,000 deposit for the township to process applications.
This is the same as standard site plan application fees in the township, as they follow a similar review process. The fees are comparable to other local municipalities.
This does not include third-party costs such as planners, engineers and legal services, for which the applicant and/or property owner will be responsible.
Council voted unanimously to revoke CRINS’ designation to act on the township’s behalf for telecommunication site applications during the regular council meeting on Oct. 16.
The Advertiser contacted CRINS for comment but did not receive a response by press time.
