MOUNTAIN VIEW COUNTY – The county's municipal planning commission approving authority has approved a development permit for a 30-metre-high communication tower in Water Valley.
The OK came during the commission’s recent regularly scheduled meeting in council chambers.
The Telus Communications tower will be located on the north side of Highway 579 about half a kilometre west of Rge. Rd. 52, directly behind the existing Water Valley Saloon.
The self-supporting tower will be on a 10-metre-square concrete pad.
Construction of the tower is proposed to take four to six weeks and once completed will remain unoccupied outside monthly maintenance visits.
“The applicant has stated the proposed location was selected to address coverage and network challenges including broadcasting range, proximity to wireless users, compatibility with existing and planned network facilities, inability to co-locate to existing towers, and network improvements for emergency services” administration said in a briefing note to the commission.
The application was circulated to nearby landowners, with one respondent expressing concerns that the project “does not match the western theme and is not aesthetically pleasing for Water Valley downtown community.”
Administration responded that the Water Valley-Winchell Lake area structure plan address architectural requirements for development of buildings only.
The approval comes with a number of conditions, including the following:
• No development shall be constructed, placed or stored over an easement or utility right-of-way. The applicant/landowner is responsible for contacting Alberta-One-Call and/or other governing authority.
• Upon no longer utilizing this site, the site will be reclaimed, meaning the removal of the entire tower, antennas, cable, equipment and entire concrete foundation.
• All setbacks must comply with provincial regulations with regards to the pipelines within or near the property.
An additional condition was added that a fence at least eight feet high be erected around the tower and that anti-climb measures be placed on the fence and tower.
The municipal planning commission is made up of county councillors and appointed members of the public. It is currently chaired by public member Gerald Ingeveld.
