Public consultation is underway for a proposed cell tower to fill a large service gap impacting thousands of people in Nanaimo's vast Hammond Bay area. (Ian Holmes/NanaimoNewsNOW)

By Ian Holmes

missed connection

Public consultation ongoing for proposed north Nanaimo cell tower

Oct 30, 2024 | 5:28 AM

NANAIMO —A proposal to deal with a substantial cell dead zone in north Nanaimo’s Hammond Bay area is in the midst of a public consultation period.

Initiated by TELUS in conjunction with Rogers, an information package was mailed to all residents and businesses within 189 meters (three times the height of the proposed 63-metre lattice tower)

The tower is proposed on Regional District of Nanaimo property at the Greater Nanaimo Pollution Control Centre located at 4600 Hammond Bay Rd.

“The tower, if constructed, will provide access to dependable high-speed voice and data services in the Hammond Bay area,” reads the public notification letter to residents in the immediate vicinity.

“TELUS is directly responding to significant interest from the community of Hammond Bay for improved wireless service.”

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TELUS stated there currently are no suitable existing structures that can be used in the area.

“The portion of the site occupied by the tower, and the perimeter of the property, are well treed enabling a large portion of the tower to be screened from view of nearby residential homes.”

Rendering of the proposed Hammond Bay cell tower. (TELUS)

Under the proposal, Rogers will place equipment on the tower to better serve its customers in the area, while TELUS stated it will “consider all applications for tower sharing and co-location…”

All comments, questions and concerns can sent to Cypress Land Services (independent contractor hired by TELUS) by Nov. 16

• Cypress Land Services
• Chad Marlatt, director, Government Affairs 1051-409 Granville Street Vancouver, BC V6C 1T2
• Ph: 604-620-0877
• Email: PublicConsultation@cypresslandservices.com

Following the public consultation process, TELUS stated it will provide details of correspondence with community members, including TELUS’ responses to the City of Nanaimo.

“Finally, TELUS will request a resolution of land use concurrence from the City of Nanaimo Council which will enable TELUS to proceed with planning for wireless upgrades in the community.”

The federal government (Innovation, Science and Economic Development Canada) has exclusive jurisdiction over the placement of wireless telecommunications facilities in Canada.

Cell phone tower proposals by TELUS in Nanaimo’s Hammond Bay area were rejected by the Regional District of Nanaimo board and City Council respectively in 2011 and 2014 following health and aesthetic concerns from local residents.

Proposed Hammond Bay cell tower location site indicated by yellow marker (TELUS)

Join the conversation. Submit your letter to NanaimoNewsNOW and be included on The Water Cooler, our letters to the editor feature.

Ian.holmes@pattisonmedia.com

On Twitter: @reporterholmes