Abbotsford council has given initial support to the installation of a 45-metre cell tower on Simpson Road.
Council heard at its executive meeting on Monday (May 10) that the telecommunications antennae structure (TAS) with ancillary electronic equipment is proposed for private farm land at 27828 Simpson Rd. – in west Abbotsford near the Aldergrove border.
An application has been received from Telus to install the tower adjacent to an existing garage on a 24-acre property in an area not currently being farmed.
The federal government requires applicants intending to install a TAS to notify and consult with local government.
“The consultation provides an opportunity for the city to make recommendations regarding design and siting while respecting the federal jurisdiction over the installation and operation of the TAS,” says a staff report to council.
The report states that the Telus proposal is in keeping with the design and siting considerations of the city’s policy on cell towers.
“It’s a tall tower, but we need telecommunications, and it’s on private land,” said Mayor Henry Braun.
A May 31st public hearing on the matter has been waived, due to COVID-19 restrictions, but property owners and residents near the proposed tower have been notified of the matter and are invited to submit feedback for council’s consideration.
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