Vantreight Farms and Muir Communications are hosting an open house this weekend to offer information on the communication tower that’s slated to be built on Vantreight Farms’ land.
During a Central Saanich committee meeting on Nov. 13, council moved to direct staff to prepare a land use bylaw amendment bylaw to rezone the property where the tower is proposed to be built. The change would see the property re-zoned to a public utility zone (P-3) from agricultural and to permit the 50m tower height.
“I’m supportive of this motion,” said Coun. Carl Jensen during that meeting. “It allows local farmers to diversify their revenue stream.”
Opposition from the gallery during the meeting was evident, with members of the public citing concerns over the tower height and its visibility to surrounding residential areas. Other concerns raised rested on the possible health implications of radiation that would come from having telecommunication devices in the municipality.
However, there were also 14 letters received by staff before the meeting that were in direct support of the tower being erected.
The application from Muir Communications proposes a 50m (164 foot) tower to be built within a 30m by 30m (98 foot square) compound for the installation of various telecommunication companies’ equipment. Vantreight Farms’ land has already housed telecommunications antennas on existing buildings for over 20 years.
The open house happens Saturday, Jan. 19 from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. at 8277 Central Saanich Road.
