The debate over whether to regulate the placement of cell phone towers rages on in our city.
As a response to complaints by residents, a proposed city bylaw has been drafted.
It was supposed to set standards by which the city would decide on locations for the towers.
The problem is the federal regulator, Industry Canada, gets the final say.
That has Mayor Stephen Mandel suggesting the proposed bylaw is pointless.
“We end up getting involved in things and we create expectations for citizens that aren’t there and then all of the sudden citizens are mad because we can’t do something about it and I think that this is one of those things,” he said.
Cell phone companies agree.
“It is our opinion that this is very onerous to the carrier. With respect not only to resources, but also safety,” Carol Robinson with Rogers Communications said.
Those same residents the bylaw was created for aren’t on board either.
Fred Mitchell with the Edmonton Federation of Community Leagues said the bylaw needs to be more specific.
“For example, if the cell tower is 150 feet high, you can’t place it 25 feet from a house or an apartment building. I’m just picking numbers out of the air, but it’s an example.”
Councillor Ben Henderson said he sees the need for the regulations.
“The question is how do you do it best. The fact that the city is being asked for an opinion means we have to have a way of forming that opinion. And without policy, it’s haphazard and that just makes it worse.”
The proposed bylaw has now been floated as staff consider a suggestion to allow towers on city-owned properties.
While that is researched, Mayor Mandel said he doesn’t see the conversation losing reception any time soon.
“We get a lot of push back from communities," he said. “But I haven’t heard of anyone giving their phones back.”
With files from Sean Amato
