REPORT TO DEVELOPMENT SERVICES COMMITTEE
TO:	Mayor and Members of Council
FROM:	Jim Baird, Commissioner of Development Services Valerie Shuttleworth, Director of Planning & Urban Design
PREPARED BY:	Geoff Day, Planner –West Development Team
DATE OF MEETING:	March 18, 2008
SUBJECT:	Telus Communications Site Plan Control Application to permit a 35 metre monopole style telecommunications tower on the north side of Elgin Mills Road immediately east of Highway 404 2730 Elgin Mills Road SC 07 129306

RECOMMENDATION:

THAT the report dated March 18, 2008, entitled “Telus Communications Site Plan Control Application to permit a 35 metre monopole style telecommunications tower on the north side of Elgin Mills Road immediately east of Highway 404, 2730 Elgin Mills Road SC 07 129306”, be received;

THAT the presentation by Mr. Alan Lee of Telus Communications, regarding the proposed telecommunications tower, be received;

AND THAT the application for site plan approval be approved, subject to the following conditions:

1. The owner shall submit final drawings, and comply with all requirements of the Town and authorized public agencies, including the Ministry of Transportation and the Region of York, to the satisfaction of the Commissioner of Development Services;

2. Industry Canada be advised, in writing, of this approval and that this approval is with respect to this location only;

3. Telus Communications is responsible for all matters relating to grading, utility location, external approvals, engineering, structural design, etc.;

4. That a building permit be obtained from the Town; and,

5. That site plan approval shall lapse after a period of three years commencing March 18, 2008, should the development not proceed in a timely manner.

BACKGROUND:

Property and Area Context

The subject property is approximately 0.66 hectares (1.6 acres) in area, located on the north side of Elgin Mills Road immediately east of the Highway 404 (Figure 1). An existing designated heritage dwelling constructed in 1887 is located on the eastern portion of the subject lands.

Abutting the subject property to the north, east and across Elgin Mills to the south are designated employment lands within the Cathedral Community. To the west across Highway 404 are lands within the Town of Richmond Hill.

Description of Proposed Telecommunications Tower

On October 2, 2007, Telus Communications submitted an application for site plan approval to permit a monopole style telecommunications tower. The proposed 35 metre high tower will be situated within a 3.05 x 4.57 metre (10’x15’) fenced compound.

Public Consultation Process

Following the procedures outlined in the Town’s Policy for Establishing Telecommunication Tower/Antenna Facilities, an area with a 120 m radius centred on the proposed location was mapped in order to ascertain the capture area for public consultation. This site is located within the future Employment Lands of the Cathedral Community. The surrounding lands are predominantly vacant except for the heritage dwelling which is presently being leased out by the owner to the current occupants. The local ward Councillor was contacted and it was agreed that a formal public consultation meeting would not be required.

Heritage Markham Committee

On October 10, 2007, Heritage Markham Committee reviewed the proposal and determined that as the proposed tower was not in the immediate vicinity of the existing heritage dwelling, no comment or endorsement is required.

Conditions of Leased Premises for Telecommunications Facility

Telus Communications has entered into an agreement with 1628741 Ontario Inc. to lease a portion of the lands to construct the monopole style telecommunications facility.  The lease between Telus Communications and 1628741 Ontario Inc. terminates on November 30, 2017.  Telus Communications is obligated to remove the telecommunications pole and associated equipment if the lease is not renewed. 

CONCLUSION:

Deputation and Endorsement of Plan

As per Town policy, Telus Communications has made a request to make a deputation to the Development Services Committee to seek approval of the site plan application. If the application is endorsed by the Development Services Committee, a copy of the Council Resolution and the approved site plan will then be forwarded to Industry Canada for their final approval.

ATTACHMENTS:

Figure 1 Location Map

Figure 2 Site Layout for Proposed Telecommunications Facility

Figures 3 & 4 Photographic Simulations

Valerie Shuttleworth, M.C.I.P., R.P.P. Director of Planning & Urban Design

Jim Baird, M.C.I.P., R.P.P. Commissioner of Development Services

Applicant Contact Information:

TELUS COMMUNICATIONS

Alan Lee

200 Consilium Place

Scarborough ON

M1M 3J3

Facsimile Number: 416-279-7942

Document filepath: AMANDA/File SC-07-129306 /Documents/