Saanich intends to install a 40-metre tall tower in the centre of the Churchill Drive summit parking lot. We are unclear as to why there was a sudden change in plans but find this idea problematic.
Our Society was not informed of the tower replacement until several months after vendors were invited to view potential sites and submit bids. There has been no consultation.
The original RFP specified the replacement tower was to be located within 6 metres of the existing tower. At some point it was erroneously thought a road from the summit parking lot to the existing tower location was necessary. Road construction costs along with the environmental damages and tree loss prompted Saanich to change the RFP to specify the parking lot location. This was flawed thinking in that the existing tower was installed without a road and the parking lot location was based on a 6 metre error in the underground building location plus a tower height exceeding the P9 zone height restrictions.
We had hoped that a meeting with Saanich regarding the replacement tower location might be productive. Instead, we came out of the meeting with the impression that the probability of Saanich installing the tower in the middle of the Churchill summit parking lot is most likely unless there is a loud public outcry. We need letters sent! Here are some points:The aesthetics of this tower within the PKOLS-Mount Douglas natural park is paramount.
- The replacement tower can be installed near the existing tower just like the existing tower was installed, no access road necessary.
- Trees hide the existing and any nearby replacement tower from the summit parking lot.
- Any summit parking lot location will be an eyesore from every angle.
- The installation costs for either the summit or the parking lot location are comparable.
- The installation funds are from a reserve fund collected over the past 32 years from tower user rental fees. No municipal taxes are involved.
- This is a 50 year decision, the expected life of the replacement tower. It needs to be right!
- The parking lot location will likely eliminate half the existing parking locations.
We want Saanich to reconsider the location near the existing tower as originally specified in the RFP without including a new access road as was done when constructing the current tower.
Flawed Thinking
The original RFP specified the replacement tower was to be located within 6 metres of the existing tower. At some point, it was erroneously thought a road from the summit parking lot to the current tower location was necessary. Road construction costs, environmental damages, and tree loss prompted Saanich to change the RFP to specify the parking lot location. This was flawed thinking because the existing tower was installed without a road. The parking lot location was based on a 6-metre error in the underground building location, plus a tower height exceeding the P9 zone height restrictions.
The photograph on the left shows how materials were moved to and from the existing site in the past. The same method used to install the tower.
Obscuring the View
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References
- Undated notice was posted by Saanich about the tower replacement
- Undated details on the rational for the tower replacement
- Federal Government regulations on communication equipment
- Saanich open house announcement to provide information on the tower replacement
- The tender award document was posted June 13th, 2023.
- PKOLS – Mount Douglas Communication System Historical War Use, by Jerry Proc
- CREST (Capital Region Emergency Services Telecommunications) system.
- Request to remove the requirement for staff to seek further direction from the Council for the communication tower. Dated Oct 20, 2023
- PKOLS – Mount Douglas, Tender Notification, dated June 14, 2023
- PKOLS communication tower location… article in Captial Daily, April 3, 2024
