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Rogers temporarily pauses process to install cell tower in Duncan

Company said it’s exploring other sites
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Rogers Communications has temporarily paused its application to install a cell tower on land owned by the City of Duncan. (File photo)

Rogers Communications has temporarily paused its application for the installation of a cell tower in the City of Duncan’s public works yard, located at 1091 Marchmont Rd.

While not stating that it had given up entirely on its plan for a new cell tower at the site, in a statement to the Citizen, Rogers said that following the City of Duncan’s adoption in January of a new policy that will govern the siting, consultation requirements and other issues for telecommunications towers within the municipality, the company will continue working with the city and its new requirements to find a site that will improve connectivity while also meeting the needs of the community.

RELATED STORY: ROGERS COMMUNICATIONS LOOKS TO INSTALL CELL TOWER AT DUNCAN PUBLIC WORKS YARD

The City of Duncan had no policy on cell towers before.

“We’re focused on delivering a reliable, consistent wireless experience and are looking to enhance our network to provide more seamless coverage for residents and businesses in Duncan,” the statement from Rogers said.

“We’re continuing to work closely with the City of Duncan to ensure our services, equipment and design meet their needs.”

Officials at the City of Duncan referred questions on the proposed cell tower to Rogers.

RELATED STORY: CITY OF DUNCAN APPROVES NEW CELL TOWER POLICY

The communications company informed the city in early January that the public works yard site had been identified as a preferred location for a cell tower based on Rogers’ review of potential locations and signal-path surveys across the city.

Rogers said the proposed new cell tower is intended to improve service and reliability for the local area.

“Cell phones are critical communications devices within the community at all times, and particularly during an emergency or natural disaster,” Rogers said at the time.

Rogers held public consultations on the proposed cell tower that ended on Feb. 4, shortly after the City of Duncan adopted its new cell tower policy.

The new policy includes how far cell towers should be constructed away from residences, and the radius around the proposed new tower in which the proponent will have to provide information packages to households about the project.

The wireless technology that cell phone towers use has raised health concerns, and some neighbours of the public works yard stated they did not want the tower placed there.



robert.barron@cowichanvalleycitizen.com

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