New 70 metre telecommunication tower proposed for Hillsburgh
The tower would be constructed near a stormwater pond at Keith’s Trailer Sales on Trafalgar Road
HILLSBURGH – Rogers wants to construct a 70-metre wireless telecommunication tower at Keith’s Trailer Sales to meet demand for wireless services and improve coverage along Trafalgar Road and northwest of Hillsburgh.
Presented during a public meeting in Erin Thursday afternoon, Rogers’ public and municipal relations coordinator Victoria McKay said the proposed 70-metre Guyed Tower at 6113 Trafalgar Road is intended to provide “fast and reliable” cellular service and improve coverage between existing telecommunications sites.
The tower is proposed approximately 19 metres from a stormwater management pond on the property to minimize its impact on farmland and will allow “sufficient height” from the water to allow vehicles to pass safely underneath. Other safety precautions are also planned.
“While we understand there may be concerns surrounding our proposal, it’s important to emphasize that we have worked tirelessly…to minimize any potential impact,” said Michelle Baya, the township’s senior planner in the report.
McKay said staff will use the existing access and don’t anticipate traffic will increase because staff are typically on-site one or two times a year for inspections post-construction.
When asked whether the tower could interfere with an existing private runway on-site, McKay said the company hasn’t received any specifications from Transport Canada but believes the proposed tower may include one flashing white beacon at the top for daylighting and a red flashing beacon at the top and two burning red lights at the mid-point for night lighting.
Discussions with the property owner were completed before public consultation and the company has a signed lease saying the landlord agrees with the proposal.
No residents spoke during the meeting and the company has not received any public comments about the proposal to date.
Any questions or comments about the application can be submitted to Rogers by June 23.
Isabel Buckmaster is the Local Journalism Initiative reporter for GuelphToday. LJI is a federally-funded program
