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‘ Free] Lane cell tower plan dead? It all depends who you ask ' nonnea or oeu tower and other planning a prications Currently. residents and businesses wi in a ISO-metre radius of the proposed amendment site receive writ- ten notification. There are also notices placed with local newspapers “Even Paul ()alandra‘s stafi missed this totally." noted Councillor Susanne Hilton. The MP‘s Main Street oflice is 400 metres away from A recent report sited by Councillor Rob Halgmve claimed more people are abandoning their landlines for cell phones "People are getting rid of their home phones and it would be tragic if someone couldn't call 911 because of that." said Councillor Richard Bartley. Among the resolutions passed by council Wednesday morning was one to have staff look at how residents are notified of cell tower and other planning applications He reiterated that claim in an e-mail communication to Mayor Wayne Emmerson and all six councillors late Thesday night. have been in contact with Rogers Communica~ tions who have confirmed to me that they will not be proceeding with this tower at this location at this time." it reads in part. This information is news to Rogers’ representatives who attended the hastily called council meeting. "We would like to work with the town on altemative locations.” Tatyana Moro. municipal relations specialist. The tower is in response to Rogexs' assessment of an area within Wtchumh-Stoufiville and the-sumunding area where coverage deficiencies exist. specifically within the downtown core area of Main Street and O‘Brien Ave. nue. according to the March 18 council report. "No cell towers in anywhere downtown Stouffville is not the right answer.” stated Councillor Clyde Smith dur- ing yesterday moming's meeting. which was attended by. among othels. two Rogers' representatives. a member of Mr. Calandra’s staff and Denise Kata. manager of the neighbouring Stoufl‘ville Creek Retirement Residence. Michael Larkin. who owns 20 Free] lane and the neigh. bourhing Earl ofWhitchurch pub is "quite surprised about the kerfufile” surrounding the cell tower's location. Rogers representatives approached the Mount Joy Investments presigent about a year agu Phil Bannon is surprised and disa pointed how the Free] Lane downtown Stouflville ce tower issue has evolved during the past few weeks In a special council ameeting yesterday. the Ward 2 councillor asked Oak Ridges-Markham MP Paul Calendar to “drop his swords and work with Whitchurch-Stoufiville and work with the community”. “Let's join forces.” he said. Mr. Calandra contends. in an April 7 media release. Rogers has chosen not to proceed with their emphat- tion forthistowerinthislocationacknmvledgng tthe historic dowmown Stoufiville is not the right location.” When asked last week by’lhe Sun-THbune to confirm Rogers is no longer considering Free] Lane as an option. lennifer Kent. senior manager of media relations for Rog- ers Communications replied via e-mail: “We're looking at all options and are worldng with the federal and municipal levels of government to address concerns raised by the public. while at the same time fulfilling our commitment to improving wireless services for our customers" 'Ibwn of WEitchurch-Stoufirille staff a'nd Rogem' nep- lesentatives will continue to work on finding a sulmble location. according to Mr. Emmerson. “The quafity of service in this town is not what it needs to be." Mr. Smith said. "There's nothian we Ean do if they dont take the site." BY SANDRA BOLAN 5bolan@yrmg.com “It's a good example of what the problem is with the written word. People just don’t take the time to read.” Ms Hilton said of people thmwing out mailed notices and not reading newspapers. The town also posted a notice on the site regarding the apglipatépn and lanuary meeting. Mr. Emmerson apologized for not sending infor- mation about the January amsultation meeting to Mr. (Inlandra's office. but they were going on the amumption the municipality was “only a commenting He also wants 'people from Health Canada. the York Region health department. all telecommunication pro- videl§ and both the MP and MP? to be a pan of the “We do what- wé do éccording to the planning code bul__it's probagbly not enough.” he said. Became it appears the role of a municipality. when it comes to cell tower application's is now unclear. the mayor wants to hold a public meeting with mpresenta- tives from Industry Canada in lune. “Will they come? It's had to say. ... Finally I want to get to the bottom of this." he the Free] Lane site. Mr. Eminenkm noted'Rogers. along (M staff. fullqm‘d municipal policy. We do what we do according to the plan- ning code but it's probably not enough." Ana handingoutbotfledwatetandoop iesofaplanonhowtheMPintendsto mâ€"vsnmemmmnwumiland Rom.apetitiontocsig\amresandtm homsotlivetchnstithoommentary. the relief in the wet-heated We train sta- tionwaspatpable. Mr. Calandta's briefing mkevated the pro cusses leading to the meeting. the appar- entlackofpubucconsultatjonandme ambtguitjes retating to how a cell W meiorumwasmovedtomsmallerwan- ingmomofmemsmstafion. Shouldettosmmmxemysufledand mifiedwaltedmumngtokrmhoua tawdry30nmecellmmmeoenye ofmmmsoamioustywantto mmmmmswmse oouncilappvoval.seemingyunderthe 'll's strong. nocommentfmm a munic'» palmdnm‘yas'mmefedemlgw- emment'hosaid.mnmathappens. mismlenwtofourhands.‘ Assuflngmeaamednghe'snotinm habitdmeddlingwimbcalcouncime fenpmptedtnstepiqanerheJikemst Sammy‘shasfllyomnaad.albenweli publichadmubucnwetingooncemingm installationohfloptsoaflmmme oemdSmuMedidn'tsmnoutmllfor OakRidas-WMPPauICalandra. Oflgnafly slated fora "mung room in Whounm W Creek Retirement Residence. mo estwhue hosts tamed a possible flu outbmk mign jeopanfize RESIDENTS, MP SAY NO TO TOWER ‘We had no idea what was ping on until we heard from you. our MRsaid a woman However. the llth-hour intervenâ€" tion by the MP isn't sitting well with Whitchurch-Stouffville Mayor Wayne Emmerson. 'He'scaMngonmetotakedown every tower in town? Mr. Calandra said. ‘I'II let you decide if that's a mature response.“ residents. was unaware the ninestorey cell tower was apprwed in principle. ‘Asofrwitnmv. Rogers could start buildâ€" ingthetmertomorrovthesaid. Alloying tears, he advised he's been work- ing with Rows to discuss alternative loca tions. hinting the matter might be deferred until technology affords a smaller. less intrusive tower outside the town core that still delNers strong receptionlhe stack of letters and emails he's received from local opponents to the tower will accompany his request that council 'immediately hold an emergency meeting to recor'isider their position on the pro posed Rogers Communications cell tower WOA'MMM I aunqyl «mg spiral/"n01: taking into account all public comment” “Today is )our opportunity to voice opin~ ion.” he said. 'No.‘ was the resounding choms in repiy to Mt Caiandra asking whether the attendees wanted a tone: in the midst of the historic town. Mr. Calandra was preaching to the choir. 'Ihete'snoreasontoputamnnme middle of our heritage district." said one - Chn's Traber