Puslinch council members are looking for guidelines that can be implemented to reduce the impact of telecommunication towers.
The notice of motion presented by councillor John Sepulis on Dec. 20 noted the township recently received a delegation with concerns about the impact of telecommunication towers.
The motion also noted that municipalities such Milton and Georgina established guidelines for the evaluation and installation of telecommunication towers.
The motion stated the township deems it prudent to establish a similar guideline and that staff be directed to prepare a telecommunication tower guideline.
Councillor Ken Roth did not have a problem with the notice of motion, other than not being certain how much staff time this would take to prepare.
He asked how the measure would fit in amongst other township priorities.
“I think there is an awful lot on (staff’s) plate at the moment,” Roth said.
He he said believed that creation of the guidelines was a good idea, he was uncertain how effective it might be – other than helping tower installers understand what the municipality would like.
CAO Karen Landry said the motion indicates staff would come back with a report on how the township could proceed with the project – within the cycle of policies and bylaws being worked upon – and how it could be scheduled.
Landry then advised council there are a number of items that do need to be dealt with.
One of those items will be bringing forward a report on the municipality’s achievement of goals as well as its strategic priorities.
“It will be up to council to determine where this item falls within those priorities,” she added.
Councillor Matthew Bulmer shared Roth’s concerns, but also acknowledged Sepulis for bringing the matter to council’s attention, especially in terms of letting council know what other municipalities are doing.
Bulmer asked if those items could be used in comparison to the township’s current process/policies.
Landry said that currently township staff follow Industry Canada guidelines in terms of processing applications.
She said it would take considerable time to compare the differences in the policies in terms of preparing new guidelines.
Councillor Susan Fielding agreed there may be a number of projects which take priority.
Sepulis agreed there are council priorities ahead of telecommunications towers, but stressed he is simply asking the matter be moved into a schedule of items to be addressed.
