A map from an RDOS staff report depicts a one-kilometre radius around the proposed site.
Dale Boyd
Times-Chronicle
The Regional District of Okanagan-Similkameen (RDOS) voted to begin the public consultation process for a replacement cell tower after some debate over which residents should be included in the process.
Rogers Communication initially requested a variance to the regional district’s required public consultation area, limiting the public input process to residents within a 150-metre radius around the location at 6450 Spartan St.
“We understand that the rational for the RDOS’ large notification radius is because towers are typically proposed on large rural properties,” Rogers stated in its request to the board. “In this instance, the tower is proposed on the edge of town and a populated area.”
RDOS staff acknowledged in a report to the board that a one-kilometre notification area “does not appear to be appropriate for an urban setting,” putting nearly all of downtown Oliver residents within a one-kilometre radius of the proposed tower replacement.
The work on the tower includes a “replacement of one new tri-pole tower structure with six panel antennas an a lightening rod to provide wireless communication services.”
However, the regional district voted to include residents within one kilometre of the proposed tower replacement in Area C (rural Oliver) in the public consultation process, and residents within 100 metres within the Town of Oliver.
The 30-metre tower replacement is proposed on a 3.5-hectare parcel accessible through Spartan Street.
