Rendering of an eastward view of a proposed cellular tower at 2517 Jingle Pot Rd. (City of Nanaimo)

By Ian Holmes

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NANAIMO — Despite health and aesthetic concerns from locals, a new cellular tower is destined for a portion of Jingle Pot Rd.

Following an agreement forged between Rogers Communications and the owner of 2517 Jingle Pot Rd., the federal regulator is expected to offer grant approval for a 51-metre self-supported lattice tower with 10 mounted antennas on the forested lot’s southwest corner.

The project, to bolster wireless services in the East Wellington, Cathers Lake and Westwood Lake areas, includes an equipment shelter and access road, was backed by a 5-3 vote during a Monday, July 21 council meeting.

Ally Wall lives beside the property and has been a vocal opponent.

“We assert that this is a minimal improvement for the significant intrusion that this project will pose on our health, enjoyment of our homes and properties, and our local community,” Wall said during a presentation to council.

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A mandated public outreach campaign garnered 27 responses, of which 21 were opposed.

Catherine Hagen is a nearby resident who voiced similar health and aesthetic concerns, as well as potential sagging home valuations for area residents.

“To our knowledge improved service is not requested by the neighbours,” Hagen said. “What evidence does the staff provide council to support the need for enhanced service in this area?”

The area shaded in red indicates where a proposed new cell tower by Rogers Communications will be located. (City of Nanaimo)

Brian Gregg of SitePath Consulting on behalf of Rogers, stated cell tower proposals are driven by various factors.

“One of them is performance on the network, so there’s a lot of dropped and blocked calls in that area, as well as slow data speeds, so there’s not reliable connectivity on the wireless network,” Gregg told the meeting.

While sympathetic to local concerns, Mayor Leonard Krog supports the proposal.

“It is an essential part of modern life, much like the automobile became an essential part of the modern world and air pollution came along with it, I think we have to be realistic.”

When the tower will be installed is unknown.

If other wireless providers wish to share the tower with Rogers, additional antennas would be required, according to a City staff report.

Innovation, Science and Economic Development Canada (ISED) governs cell towers in Canada, which mandates local governments are consulted in advance.

Safety guidelines for radio frequency exposure limits are established by Health Canada are known as Safety Code 6, which ISED states sets strict limits on radio energy levels emitted by any antenna tower.

Numerous cell tower applications have been pitched and approved in recent years as the mid-Island region continues growing, including a 63-metre tower planned for Nanaimo’s Hammond Bay area.

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