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1. What do you mean by “telecommunications”?

For the purposes of this document, “telecommunications” refers to telecommunication antenna structures (usually towers) installed to carry cell phone signals.

2. What is going to Council and why?

Town administration is scheduled to take the Telecommunication Antenna Structure Siting Protocols to Council on March 29, 2016. The Protocols establish standards that allow the Town of Cochrane to influence the placement of telecommunication antenna structures proposed within Town limits.

3. Why are the protocols being updated?

The updated Telecommunication Antenna Structure Siting Protocols (“Protocols”) will replace the existing Town procedure regarding telecommunication antenna structures. The Protocols incorporate changes in federal policy and are in-line with other municipalities' standards.

4. Are there different types and sizes of structures?

Yes, there are three different types and sizes of structures:
Type A
• Any height or a structure that increases height of existing tower by 25% or more
• Within 100m of residential development
• Other details: in areas of environmental, historic, strategic or operational importance or sensitivity (at the discretion of Town Administration)
• Any other structure not identified

Type B
• On roofs of highrise buildings
• On street light poles
• On parking lot light poles
• On existing utility towers and similar structures
• On towers less than 15m that are not Type A

Type C
Temporary structure for special event or during an emergency.

5. Can the public have any influence on applications?

The Protocols outline a public consultation process that proponents must follow. The level of public consultation is determined by the type and size of structure proposed.

Type A submissions:
Proponents are required to host a public consultation meeting. Town residents will be notified of the public consultation meeting via a public notice posted in the Cochrane Times and the Cochrane Eagle for two consecutive weeks. Additionally, residents within 300 m of the proposed Type A structure will receive written notification of the public consultation meeting.

Affected residents are encouraged to attend public consultation meetings for submissions in their neighbourhood in order to have a say in the process.

Type B submissions:
Public consultation is not required; a notice is published as information.

Type C submissions:
The Town requires 14 days advance notice in writing.

6. What is the Town’s role/responsibility in applications?

The Town of Cochrane reviews and evaluates each submission it receives for a telecommunication antenna structure and will work with proponents to identify and mitigate any issues of concern.

Town Administration will attend all public consultation meetings to observe the information provided to the public, ensure that the Protocols are followed, and to clarify the Protocols and the Town’s role in the process as necessary.

After reviewing submissions, letters of concurrence or non-concurrence will be issued by Council for Type A submissions. Letters of concurrence or non-concurrence will be issued by Administration for Type B and C submissions.

7. What are letters of concurrence or non-concurrence?

A letter of concurrence or non-concurrence is a document sent to Industry Canada from the Town of Cochrane either supporting (concurrence) or not supporting (non-concurrence) a proponent’s proposal for the installation of a telecommunication antenna structure within the Town, based on if the Proponent met the requirements in the Protocol and the Town's technical requirements.

8. Where will towers go?

The Protocols lists a number of preferred locations for telecommunication antenna structures in the Town of Cochrane, including on municipal land. The Town will work with the proponent to ensure that antenna structures are proposed at preferred locations in Town.

The issuance of a letter of concurrence or non-concurrence will be based on criteria including location of the proposed telecommunication structure.

9. What can the Town do to regulate locations?

Although the Town is not the approving authority for telecommunication structure siting, the Protocols establish a procedure allowing the Town to influence the placement of telecommunication structures.

The Town will engage in pre-submission consultation meetings with the proponent to discuss the location of the proposed telecommunication structure, among other criteria. The Town will oversee the submission process and will provide input regarding preferred locations. Ultimately, the proposed location of a telecommunication structure will influence the issuance of a letter of concurrence or non-concurrence.

10. Why can't the Town restrict telecommunication structures?

The Town of Cochrane is not the approval authority for telecommunication antenna structures. The Federal Minister of Industry is the approving authority for the development and operation of radio communication in Canada, including telecommunication antenna structures. Therefore, the Town of Cochrane cannot prevent a proponent from gaining permission from Industry Canada to install a telecommunication antenna structure even if it contravenes the Town’s Telecommunication Antenna Structure Protocols.

11. Are cell towers bad for our health?

The Town of Cochrane does not assess submissions for a telecommunication antenna structure with respect to health.

Regarding health and radiofrequency (RF) exposure issues and limits for telecommunication antenna systems, these elements are regulated by Health Canada’s Safety Code 6 guidelines. Health Canada’s position is that there are no human health effects as long as the guidelines are followed.

Any questions or comments the public may wish to make regarding health issues related to cell phones, cell towers and radiofrequency exposure guidelines (Safety Code 6) should be directed to Health Canada (healthcanada.gc.ca) and to the proponent. Industry Canada, Spectrum Management Operations Branch may also be contacted for information: 403-292-4575 or spectrum.calgary@ic.gc.ca

12. How far should cell towers be from schools, playgrounds and homes?

The Protocols provide guidelines for separation distances between residential uses and proposed telecommunication antenna structures:

Height of structure Setback distance from residential uses
Less than 15 m at least three times the height of the proposed tower
15 m - 30 m at least 75 m away
31 m - 45 m at least 100 m away
46 m - 55 m at least 122 m away
56 m or greater at least three times the height of the proposed tower

These separation distances are not based on any medical or scientific requirement, evidence or verification.

13. What's the impact of cell towers on the environment?

There is currently no information on cell tower impact on the environment. Radio frequency (RF) exposure issues and limits for telecommunication antenna systems are regulated by Health Canada’s Safety Code 6 guidelines.

The Protocols encourage submission conformity with the Town’s Municipal Development Plan policies regarding environmentally sensitive areas and discourage the placement of towers on ecologically significant natural lands, riverbank lands or sites of topographical prominence.