Poised to fill an “identified gap in their wireless service coverage,” a Rogers Communications Inc. antenna system is proposed for construction at 775 Lasalle Boulevard.
The city’s planning committee will vote on whether to approve the antenna (a white monopole to be as tall as 35-metres) during their Jan. 9 meeting.
According to a report by city senior planner Glen Ferguson, the proponent is seeking to improve wireless service coverage for the “mixed use residential, commercial and institutional uses that exist along both the Lasalle Boulevard and Notre Dame Avenue corridors.”
The committee will vote on whether to issue a “position of concurrence” sent to Innovation, Science and Economic Development Canada, which would effectively approve it.
The “concurrence” in question indicates public consultation took place, which included a mail-out to area property owners and residents, and that the city has no concerns with the project.
“The proponent has noted that the proposed antenna system would provide network capacity relief to three existing antenna systems that are currently providing wireless services to the larger surrounding area,” according to Ferguson’s report.
“Radiofrequency engineers for the proponent have also specifically identified the intersection of Lasalle Boulevard and Montrose Avenue as being a focal point for providing improved wireless services to businesses, institutions and residences in the immediate vicinity of this intersection.”
Also on the Jan. 9 planning committee agenda is a request for a three-year approval extension for 75 residential units within the Dominion Park Subdivision in Hanmer.
Located around Jeanne D’Arc Street, the subdivision was originally granted draft approval in May 1993. Several phases have been registered since that time, and the plan has changed. These are the last 75 lots remaining in the draft plan stage to be registered for single detached dwellings.
If ultimately built, the 75 single-family houses are estimated to bring in approximately $386,000 in tax revenue based on an assessed value of $400,000 per unit at 2022 property tax rates. The 75 units would also bring in approximately $1.7 million in development charges.
Earlier this year, 34 townhouses and either a 250-bed long-term care facility or 144 apartment units as part of the development on Bonaventure Drive cleared the city’s public hearing hurdle.
At the time, the project was praised by Ward 6 Coun. René Lapierre as being a “very good development,” close to a library, walking paths, the Howard Armstrong Recreation Centre and the proposed Valley East Twin Pad Multipurpose Sports Complex.
The public component of the Jan. 9 planning committee meeting begins at 1 p.m.
A city council meeting is scheduled to take place in council chambers at 6 p.m. the following day, which will feature a presentation on the city’s 2019-2027 strategic plan.
During a Dec. 6 meeting, Governance Solutions executive vice-president David Brown recommended that the newly elected city council review the city’s strategic plan prior to 2023 budget deliberations, to make sure the vision of the new batch of elected officials is represented.
Both upcoming meetings are open to the public, with people able to attend in-person at Tom Davies Square or view them virtually by clicking here.
Tyler Clarke covers city hall and political affairs for Sudbury.com.
