West Grey is supporting the proposed installation of a wireless telecommunication antenna in Normanby.
Council heard from Planner with Shared Tower Canada Sean Galbraith on the proposed 70 metre tower during a meeting on June 20.
While not approving the project, council will be sending a letter supporting the project to Innovation, Science and Economic Development Canada (IESDC) for the proposed development at 112168 Grey Road 3.
A report from Manager of Planning and Development Lorelie Spencer says the tower is intended for wireless communication systems and improving service in the area.
Galbraith during his presentation to council says while Bell and Rogers both have towers around the area, the location they are proposing the tower in is a dead zone for cellphone coverage.
“There is probably a little bit of coverage and it is probably pretty terrible. One of the things that are different about Shared Tower is that we are what is called a third-party tower company. We build the infrastructure and then Bell and Rogers and sometimes Freedom lease space on that tower to put the antenna. It is basically a cheaper way for carriers to get coverage in an area that usually doesn’t have a large population centre,” says Galbraith.
He adds they have worked on the proposed site with the landlord to ensure the tower would not interrupt the existing farm operations nearby and will ensure it delivers good coverage.
“It will bring significant improvements to a pretty wide area,” says Galbraith.
“The approval of the tower lies under the exclusive jurisdiction of the Government of Canada through Innovation, Science and Economic Development Canada in accordance with the Radiocommunication Act,” says the report from Spencer.