The Town of Okotoks Senior Planners have rejected a proposal by Rogers and to erect a cellphone tower near Westmount School.

Following an open house with residents back in July, and a review of town guidelines, the town's planning department did not find the proposal to be in accordance with town protocols.

The decision was issued on November 6th, and was brought before council at their meeting on November 12th.

Senior Planner Colin Gainer says a few factors led them to that conclusion.

"The town decided that we could not support the proposal based on it not meeting that recommended setback from residential properties, and the size and design of the tower not fitting within the context of the area and being so visible."

The Town also garnered feedback from residents at an open house in July, which saw fourty six people in attendance.

Gainer estimates fourty five comments sheets were submitted at the open house, with approximately fourty emails and several written petitions also submitted to the town in the following days.

He says the town is somewhat limited in which factors they take into consideration.

"There are limits to what we can decide on it, and what we can consider. We don't consider anything that's not a location based decision, such as matters that are governed by other agencies like the amount of radiation the tower emits under health regulations,a s well as the manner in which it operates. That's outside of what the town can comment on."

Gainer says the town hasn't heard from Rogers or Land Solutions, though they may still seek to move the project forward.

"It's not to say it won't happen, right now it's up to Rogers to decide how they want to proceed based on the decision of nonsupport from the town. They can still seek a formal decision from Innovation Science and Economic Development Canada."

To read the full Letter of Non-Concurrence, click here.

 

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