Cellphone reliability remains a problem in some areas of Sooke, but the municipality doesnB次元官网网址檛 believe a new telecommunications tower is the answer.
Sooke council has voted against supporting an application by to build a 50-metre tower in the 5000 block of Sooke Road.
Mayor Maja Tait, who voted against the application at MondayB次元官网网址檚 council meeting, said the towers could be built without SookeB次元官网网址檚 approval, but that wouldnB次元官网网址檛 be ideal.
B次元官网网址淚 do appreciate what Freedom is trying to do in terms of service,B次元官网网址� she said. B次元官网网址淭he challenge is the impact it has on the neighbourhood.B次元官网网址�
Freedom Mobile is launching 3G and LTE networks in multiple markets across Canada. The Sooke tower would allow for continuous coverage to customers along Sooke Road from the town centre eastward toward Victoria.
Freedom is required by to consult with land use authorities in siting new wireless mobile base station tower locations. Industry Canada makes the decision whether the telecommunications tower will be built.
Several Glinz Road residents oppose the application, citing health, aesthetics, and property value signs. They also presented a 20-name petition against the towerB次元官网网址檚 construction to council.
Coun. Kerrie Reay was the only councillor who supported the Freedom Mobile application. She pointed out several people on social media backed the tower proposal.
In researching data, Reay said websites from the Canadian Cancer Society to the World Health Organization suggested health concerns were minimal.
B次元官网网址淚B次元官网网址檓 trying to step back and take the emotional side out of it,B次元官网网址� she said. B次元官网网址淚 just feel with everything IB次元官网网址檝e read and all the various sites B次元官网网址� I do support whatB次元官网网址檚 requested to council by Freedom Mobility.B次元官网网址�
B次元官网网址淚 think dependency on cellphones has become critical in todayB次元官网网址檚 society,and for many people in Sooke and across the nation, people no longer need land lines.B次元官网网址滲次元官网网址� she said, adding Sooke has 49 telecommunication towers in the district, including two on top of Municipal Hall.
Coun. Brenda Parkinson suggested the the cell towers should be located in areas that donB次元官网网址檛 affect people or neighbourhoods.
Coun. Bev Berger said as a local municipality, all Sooke council could do was advocate to the federal government.
B次元官网网址淚t be more beneficial for Industry Canada to hear what the residents have to say rather than us. We have no jurisdiction.B次元官网网址�
