The City of Mississauga, Ontario, which borders Toronto to the west, has adopted an interim protocol for the modification and installation of telecommunications towers and antennas. Industry Canada regulates the installation and the provincial Planning Act and zoning bylaws do not apply, but the city intends to improve notification and consultation.
Although the city does not have the authority to stop construction of towers or antennas, the interim protocol is intended to improve public notification and consultation and provide a clear and concise outline of the city’s role in the consultation process, according to a city press release Friday.
The report listing the protocol will be circulated to Mississauga wireless service providers, local Members of Parliament and community groups.
City Council has also asked for a staff report on the matter by December 31.
“Telecommunications towers are regulated by federal legislation under the Radiocommunication Act and administered by Industry Canada,” commissioner of planning and building Ed Sajecki stated in a press release. “Provincial legislation such as the Planning Act and zoning bylaws do not apply. The City does not have the authority to stop the construction of a tower or make the final determination on its location. Industry Canada has the final decision on whether a tower can be constructed. The interim protocol is to improve notification and consultation in the process.”
The new protocol replaces a protocol which consists of Industry Canada’s default public consultation process which, the city said, does not have a requirement for a notice sign or public open house and the public notice circulation area is limited to the radius of three times tower.
The new City of Mississauga protocol increases the notification area for circulation, specifies the delivery method of the notice and includes public notification requirements, such as signage, newspaper notices and public open houses.
“The City of Mississauga will also request the Association of Municipalities of Ontario to work with municipalities across the province and wireless service providers to request that Hydro One reconsider its moratorium on the location of telecommunication antennae on existing hydro infrastructure and change its practice,” the city stated. “The City will also request that Industry Canada require applicants to consult with the land use authority and the public for new telecommunication towers with a height of less than 15 metres (49.2 feet.).”
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