Cell towers are popping up all over the place and most of the time residents are aware when a new one is proposed but several southwest communities say they were left in the dark about a new tower that is going up in their area.
Some people in the communities of Bankview, Richmond/Knob Hill and Scarboro say it was the diggers and pile drivers that first alerted them that something big was being built behind the Scouts Canada Community Hall on 19 Street S.W.
“Oh terrible noise and the crystal in my cupboards was shaking,” said homeowner, Ruth Huber.
Rogers is building a 30-metre high cellphone tower near a school, church and several homes and residents say they had no idea it was going up in their area.
“I'm concerned about the site lines. I’m concerned about health issues. I’m concerned about property values. I’m concerned about the fact that we had no say,” said homeowner, Connie Fewster.
The school complained to the federal government, which committed to greater public involvement in the placement of cell towers just four months ago, and expressed concern for the children that will play in the shadow of the tower.
The Richmond/Knob Hill Community Association says Rogers didn’t tell anyone about the tower, not even the city.
The construction of the tower is relying on an exemption to Industry Canada's public consultation requirements that says consultations are unnecessary if rebuilding or replacing an existing tower.
An old ham radio tower sat on the site until last fall and Rogers says it is simply replacing what was already there.
The community associations say the Scouts did the deal with Rogers without their knowledge.
“We've never experienced this before where a telecommunications giant can simply march into a neighbourhood and begin construction,” said Virginia Von Hahn, from the Bankview Community Association.
Von Hahn says this could set a dangerous precedent.
“For example let's say I have an antenna on my roof does that mean that Rogers can come in and set up a cellphone tower? It’s a slippery slope.”
Rogers responded in an email saying, "our proposal is simply to replace an existing tower that was located on this site which would not only be more functional for our customers, but more visually appealing...although a public consultation isn't required...a public information meeting has been organized and... construction at the site has been put on hold."
Industry Canada also replied by email saying "Rogers agreed to hold public consultations after Industry Canada raised the community's concerns with the company."
(With files from Lea Williams-Doherty)
