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Co-location cell tower plan falls through By David Lea OAKVILLE BEAVER STAFF A co-location project that would have seen multiple Bell Canada antennas activated on the 25-metre Rogers Communications cell/clock tower at the Upper Oakville Shopping Centre will not be moving forward. In a recent e-mail, Rogers Senior Communications Manager Leigh-Ann Popek discussed the decision, listing aesthetics as the reason for the Upper Middle Road/Eight Line project's cancellation. "We had agreed to let Bell co-locate at this site. We've found that our customers appreciate colocated facilities as it means fewer stand-alone facilities. Bell had recently added their equipment at this site and the resulting profile deviated from the original design intention," wrote Popek. "Rogers strives to maintain a design standard that works within the surrounding area, and we've been proactive in working with Bell on this matter. As a result, Bell has since advised that it has decided to relocate its antennas to a location that is more suitable for its needs." Neither Rogers, nor Bell has commented on where that location may be. News about the project cancellation was well received by area resident Corina Van Sluytman who began vocally opposing the project after she witnessed the Bell antennas being installed. "I'm obviously elated for all the residents and all the children that surround that tower," she said. "Eighteen antennas on that thing just didn't make sense. When I was touring around the town looking at the other cell towers I would never see so many antennas so low to the ground." While Van Sluytman said the removal of the Bell antennas is a step in the right direction, she continues to express concern about the Rogers cell tower being as close as it is to residential areas. The closest homes are directly opposite the cell tower on Upper Middle Road. She also said the tower is in the same plaza as a preschool, medical clinic, chiropractor and is 15 · Wednesday, April 18, 2012 OAKVILLE BEAVER · www.insideHALTON.com DAVID LEA / OAKVILLE BEAVER / @halton_photog CLOCK TOWER: The clock tower on Upper Middle Road near Eighth Line is also a cell tower. within a few hundred metres of Sheridan Public School. "Hopefully the people who have the power to do something will realize this is still way too close to the residents and to the children," said Van Sluytman. The Oakville resident said she worries about the health impact of having a cell tower so close, citing a study conducted in Brazil in 2011, which found that people who lived near cell towers experienced a higher rate of mortality from cancer than those who lived more than 500 metres away from cell towers. Popek said the site is in full compliance with Health Canada guidelines (Safety Code 6). She also said the site's emissions are actually 208 times below the maximum levels permitted under Safety Code 6. Halton Region's Chief Medical Officer of Health, Dr. Bob Nosal, has said there is no convincing evidence that weak radiofrequency signals from cell towers cause adverse health effects. Nosal, however, did acknowledge the agreement between Health Canada, the World Health Organization, and the International Agency for Research on Cancer that additional research is warranted. In addition to being concerned about the potential health impacts of the cell tower, Van Sluytman said she is angry the cell tower has been built to look like a clock tower. This disguise, as she called it, kept her from realizing there was a cell tower in her community for a number of years. It was only after the Bell antennas were installed, she said, that she realized there was more to the clock tower than met the eye. "It should be illegal to disguise a cell phone tower," said Van Sluytman. "You can't make an informed decision if you don't know the cell tower is there." There are a number of situations where Industry Canada can permit the activation of a cell tower without any public consultation. These exclusions include additions or modifications to an existing building or tower, installation of a radiocommunications facility that will only be used for a limited duration and radiocommunications facilities less than 15 metres in height. Popek said the Rogers cell/clock tower received site plan approval from the Town of Oakville in November 2006 with construction completed in October 2008. "This installation provides network coverage required to serve local customers while offering a more aesthetically appealing solution," said Popek in an e-mail. "We worked closely with the municipality on this design." Popek said as people become increasingly connected at home, at work, and on the road, through their wireless devices, the need to expand and upgrade the supporting infrastructure also increases. "Sites are chosen based on numerous factors including the proximity to the area requiring service," she said. "Insufficient coverage could mean dropped calls, low signals, and likely no service at all at peak times for Rogers customers." Ward 6 Town and Regional Councillor Tom Adams said he has heard few recent questions about the tower, but noted it did raise some concern when it was first installed. Adams said as cell towers are regulated by the federal government, residents who have issues about their placement should contact Oakville MP Terence Young. ith w e CSY l g g u r t t y? us e i o x y n a Do d n a s stres Learn how h to use Yoga Mindfulness training Y oga and Mindfuln as tools for you to manage your daily stress and anxiety. 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