TIME SENSITIVE: CVRD Cellular Antenna Structure Policy Meeting
Tuesday, September 27, 2022 at 10:51AM TIME SENSITIVE:
If anyone would like to comment publicly during tomorrow morning’s virtual CVRD meeting on their Cellular Antenna Structure Policy, we have until 12 pm today to email them to request a link, so that we may speak during the public input period of the meeting. Please see the details below.
Good afternoon,
Thank you for your interest and participation in the Cowichan Internet and Cellular Connectivity Strategy project. Through our engagements, we’ve heard that many of you are interested in the topic of cellular coverage and cell towers. This email is to inform you that the CVRD’s Committee of the Whole will consider a draft CVRD Telecommunications Antenna Structure Policy (AKA cell tower siting policy) at their meeting this Wednesday, September 28 at 9:30am. If adopted, the policy will influence how cellular coverage and cell towers are handled by the CVRD Board.
As Cowichan grows, demand for wireless services increases. The telecommunications industry looks to provide adequate coverage and capacity to meet those demands by building more infrastructure, including Telecommunications Antenna Structures (TAS) like cell phone towers. The CVRD’s draft policy was created to clarify the Board’s involvement in TAS, as well as requirements for community consultation, siting and design that applicants must meet in order to obtain a Letter of Concurrence from the CVRD Board. Note: this policy only covers TAS proposed for CVRD Electoral Areas; most municipalities have their own policies.
The proposed policy and supporting documents can be downloaded here:
Staff report: https://cvrd.primegov.com/meeting/attachment/14006.pdf?name=2022-09-28%20COTW%20RPT%20Telecom%20Antenna%20Structure%20Policy
Cell tower clusters map: https://cvrd.primegov.com/meeting/attachment/14008.pdf?name=2022-09-28%20Att%20B%20COTW%20Cell%20Tower%20Clusters%20Map
Meeting agenda: https://cvrd.primegov.com/Public/CompiledDocument?meetingTemplateId=3389&compileOutputType=1
There are a few ways you can provide input on the draft policy before it is considered by the Committee. You can contact your elected Board representative using the information on this page: https://www.cvrd.ca/228/Board-of-Directors. You may also provide your comments during Public Input Period by attending the committee meeting either in person or virtually. To request the virtual link for Public Input Period, email legislativeservices@cvrd.bc.ca by noon tomorrow (Tuesday at 12pm). Each speaker is allotted 3 minutes for their comments.
We appreciate your involvement in the important topic of connectivity.
Regards,
Economic Development Cowichan
Strategic Services Department
Cowichan Valley Regional District
135 Third Street, Duncan, BC V9L 1R9
email: edc@cvrd.bc.ca
Tel: 250.746.7880 / Toll Free: 1.866.746.2508 / Fax: 250.746.7801
www.cvrd.ca | www.ecdevcowichan.com