Bell Canada has delayed public consultations on its proposal to erect a 10-storey cell tower in downtown Sundridge.
Bell wants to look at other sites in the community before setting a date for the consultations, deputy-clerk Christine Hickey recently told members of Sundridge council.
During a town hall meeting last month, Bell clearly heard residents oppose the 10 John St. property the communications company selected for the 100-foot tower.
Bell has since informed Sundridge council it is investigating alternative sites.
“I really hope they make more of an effort with this second round of options,” said Coun. Steve Hicks, who opposes the John Street site.
“I'm not impressed with what seemed to be the easiest and laziest choice, which was to put a tower right in the heart of our downtown.”
Other councillors agreed with Hicks' assessment.
“I'm glad to see they're willing to pivot. It was a very poor choice initially,” said deputy mayor Shawn Jackson. “We'll see what they come up with.”
Councillor Barbara Belrose said Bell's proposed downtown site “certainly wasn't worth talking about.”
Meanwhile, Coun. Steve Rawn wondered if it's possible for the village to change its official plan to ban future communications towers from the downtown.
Mayor Lyle Hall added his voice to the debate, saying it appeared Bell was surprised by the “push back” at the town hall.
“Hopefully, they'll come back with something a little better than what they have at this particular time,” Hall said.
Bell gave no indication when it will get back to council with alternative cell tower sites.
Rocco Frangione is a Local Journalism Initiative reporter who works out of the North Bay Nugget. The Local Journalism Initiative is funded by the Government of Canada.
