Report to: Development Services Committee Report Date: September 16, 2008

SUBJECT: Bell Mobility Inc. Telecommunications Tower

Site Plan Control Application to permit a 32 metre slimline monopole with associated shelter at 7452 Reesor Road

SC 08-114023

PREPARED BY: Doris Cheng, Senior Planner – extension 2331

RECOMMENDATION:

That the report dated September 16, 2008, entitled Bell Mobility Inc. Telecommunications Tower Site Plan Control Application to permit a 32 metre slimline monopole with associated shelter at 7452 Reesor Road” be received;

That the deputation by Piero Greco of Bell Mobility, regarding the proposed slimline telecommunications tower, be received;

That the application for site plan approval be endorsed in principle, subject to the following conditions:

1. That the owner submit final drawings, and comply with all requirements of the Town and authorized public agencies, including the TRCA to the satisfaction of the Commissioner of Development Services;
2. That Industry Canada and the Region of York be advised, in writing, of this approval and that this approval is with respect to this location only;
3. That Bell Mobility is responsible for all matters related to grading, utility location, external approvals, engineering, structural design, etc.;
4. That a landscape plan, prepared by a landscape architect having O.A.L.A. membership, be submitted to the satisfaction of the Director of Planning and Urban Design;
5. That a building permit be obtained from the Town; and
6. That site plan endorsement shall lapse after a period of three years commencing September 16, 2008, should the development not proceed in a timely manner.

And that Staff be authorized and directed to do all things necessary to give effect to this resolution.

FINANCIAL CONSIDERATIONS:

Not applicable

1. Purpose 2. Background 3. Discussion 4. Financial 5. Environmental

6. Accessibility 7. Engage ^21st 8. Affected Units 9. Attachment(s)

PURPOSE:

The purpose of this report is to recommend endorsement of an application for Site Plan Approval for a proposed telecommunications tower and associated equipment shelter at 7452 Reesor Road (Rouge Valley Mennonite Church, Cedar Grove).

BACKGROUND:

Property and Area Context

The subject property consists of approximately 1.587 hectares (3.92 acres) located south of 14^th Avenue, north of Steeles Avenue, on the west side of Reesor Road, within the Hamlet of Cedar Grove. To the northwest is the CP Rail line. The site is also surrounded by the Rouge River Valleylands. The lands that are subject to this application are owned by the Rouge Valley Mennonite Church, and contain a one storey place of worship and associated buildings fronting onto Reesor Road, and cemetery lands. The subject lands contain several mature trees around the cemetery and some recently planted trees around the Church.

Abutting the subject property to the west is the Rouge River Valleylands, and to the east are a few single detached dwellings situated on farmland. These abutting lands are currently owned by the Toronto and Region Conservation Authority and the Ontario Realty Corporation and are leased to tenants.

Official Plan and Zoning By-law

The Official Plan (revised 1987) designates the subject lands as the Cedar Grove “Hamlet”. The policies of the ‘Hamlet’ designation include retaining public institutional uses, including places of worship.

The subject lands are zoned Agricultural One (A1) and Open Space (O1S) under By-law 304-87 as amended. However, telecommunications facilities are federally regulated and are not subject to the Town’s By-laws.

OPTIONS/ DISCUSSION:

The proposal is for a Telecommunications Tower and Shelter

The white 32 metre slimline telecommunications monopole and a 60m² equipment shelter are proposed to be located at the southwest corner of the existing church site, beside an existing propane tank. Access to the site will be from an existing driveway from Reesor Road. The telecommunications site and equipment shelter is proposed to be screened behind a retaining wall, and will be landscaped to blend in with the church. Urban Design Staff have provided preliminary comments and have suggested additional plant material to aid in screening the facility from the Church.

Conditions of the leased lands for the Telecommunications Facility

Bell Mobility has entered into an agreement with the Rouge Valley Mennonite Church to lease a portion of these lands to construct the telecommunications facility. The lease between Bell Mobility and Rouge Valley Mennonite Church is 20 years broken down into four, 5 year terms, commencing on June 1^st, 2008, and ending on May 31^st, 2013. Bell Mobility will be obligated to remove the telecommunications pole and associated equipment shelter and restore the property to its previous condition if the lease is not renewed.

Public Consultation Process

On February 14, 2008, the Rouge Valley Mennonite Church sent out a letter to inform its congregation and neighbours about the proposal (see attached Appendix A). In the letter, the Church stated that the congregation believes the lease agreement with Bell Mobility Inc. will provide a source of revenue that will be a positive opportunity for sharing and promoting other service projects or ministries undertaken by the Church.

The letter was hand delivered to the congregation and the neighbours. To date, the Administration Assistant of the Rouge Valley Mennonite Church has received no inquiries or objections.

The site is surrounded by the Rouge Park conservation lands and to the east across Reesor Road are a few residential buildings and farmland. The buildings on these lands are owned by the Ontario Realty Corporation and are being leased to the current occupants. As per the procedures outlined in the Town’s Policy for Establishing Telecommunication Tower/Antenna Facilities, an area within a 250 metre radius centred on the proposed location was mapped in order to ascertain and capture the area for public consultation. The policy also provides provisions where the Director of Planning and Urban Design, in consultation with the Ward Councilor may waive the requirement for a community information session, using discretion. The local ward Councilor contacted the local residence and the Church to confirm that there were no issues with regards to the proposal. It was then agreed that given the lack of response to the letter sent by the church, a formal public consultation meeting would not be required.

BUSINESS UNITS CONSULTED AND AFFECTED:

The application has been circulated to various Town departments and external agencies and their recommendations/comments have been incorporated into this report.

The Toronto and Region Conservation Authority has no objection to the proposal

While the subject lands remain in private ownership, the proposed telecommunications tower and equipment shelter is located within a TRCA regulated area of the Little Rouge Park and Rouge River Watershed. It is also within the established development limits of the valley and stream corridor based on the policies of the TRCA’s Valley and Stream Corridor Management Plan (VSCMP).

It is the TRCA’s responsibility to ensure the interests of the Rouge Park have been addressed. TRCA staff reviewed the proposal and are satisfied that there will be no negative impacts to any significant natural features. They have no objection to the application subject to their review of the erosion and sediment control measures to be undertaken throughout all construction phases, and ensure consistency with their guidelines.

The proposal does not contravene the objectives of the Greenbelt Plan

The site is located within the Protected Countryside of the Greenbelt Plan and within the Natural Heritage System land use designation of the Greenbelt Plan. Subject to the Telecommunications Act, the telecommunications tower and equipment shelter are permitted within the Protected Countryside subject to the general infrastructure policies of the Greenbelt Plan (Section 4.2.1). It satisfies the objectives of general infrastructure for serving growth and economic development by providing the appropriate infrastructure connections among urban growth centres and between these centres, and minimizing any negative impacts and disturbance of the existing sodded landscape.

CONCLUSION:

As per Town policy, Bell Mobility has made a request to provide 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.

RECOMMENDED BY:

______________________________ ______________________________

Valerie Shuttleworth, M.C.I.P, R.P.P Jim Baird, M.C.I.P, R.P.P

Director, Planning & Urban Design Commissioner, Development Services

ATTACHMENTS:

Figure 1 – Location Map

Figure 2 – Area Context and Zoning

Figure 3 – Air Photo

Figure 4 – Site Layout for Proposed Telecommunications Facility

Figure 5 – Elevation – Equipment Shelter

Figure 6 – Photo Rendering

Appendix A – Rouge Valley Mennonite Church letter and email

APPLICANT / AGENT: Piero Greco, Property Manager

Bell Mobility Inc.

5099 Creekbank Road

Mississauga ON L4W 5N2

Telephone: 905-282-3622 Fax: 905-282-3102

Email: piero.greco@bell.ca

FILE PATH: Amanda\File 08 114023\Documents\Recommendation Report

Figure 1 – Location Map