The purpose of the protocol is to establish the city’s preferences for locating and designing proposed towers as well as “expectations for public consultation.”
“Our priorities in the protocol include minimizing redundancy of facilities, avoiding heritage and natural lands, minimizing impacts on parks, open space and residential areas, and integration with public realm, where possible,” a city news release issued Tuesday said.
The purpose of the protocol is to establish the city’s preferences for locating and designing proposed towers as well as “expectations for public consultation,” the release continues.
The federal government, through Innovation, Science and Economic Development Canada, is responsible for the regulations around cell towers, the release explains. Wireless companies are required to work closely with municipalities and involve the public when they need to build a new cell tower.
Concerns around proximity to green space, residential-dense neighbourhoods, schools and more have been sticking points in the past when it comes to deciding where this type of infrastructure they should go. Just last month, executive committee postponed a decision to sell parcels of city land to SaskTel to expand its 5g network and build new cell towers because it felt more public consultation was needed.
“Nobody can possibly object to 5G or the advantages that it will bring, … the issue is where we put these terribly ugly towers,” Coun. Bob Hawkins (Ward 2) said at the time. “That’s where we as councillors have a choice.”
Of the four sites in question, two would be used to replace existing nearby cell towers with larger structures that could handle the equipment needed for a 5G network. The two other sites would house brand new 45.7 metre towers in two residential-dense neighbourhoods.
One of the proposed new towers is earmarked for Fairchild Park in Harbour Landing, right behind Ecole Harbour Landing Elementary School and St Kateri Tekawitha.
In December, SaskTel announced its was rolling out the 5G network, starting in Regina. A news release at the time said the network will deliver “ultra-fast” speeds and set a new standard for connectivity in Saskatchewan.
A public online survey to provide feedback on the proposed protocol will be available until June 6 at Regina.ca/celltowers.
After the feedback has been reviewed, the protocol will go to the Regina Planning Commission and city council for discussion and approval this summer.
