Sconadale Cell Tower Information

The Approved Location: Deermound Dog Park

Why Deermound Dog Park Was the Original Site

Telus previously applied for a permit at Deermound Dog Park, a public location that is well-suited for telecommunications infrastructure.

Important: Cell tower placement is federally regulated, not municipally controlled. Council does not have authority to approve or deny cell tower locations.

What Happened?

After Telus applied for the permit at Deermound, the proposal was moved to private residential land in Sconadale. The current consultation appears to be Telus seeking an alternative location rather than proceeding with the public site.

Opposition to the Dog Park Location

While the dog park location received some opposition, feedback reveals an important pattern:

• Approximately 30% of those opposing the dog park location were from Strathcona County
• The majority were from Edmonton and other communities outside Strathcona County

This raises questions about whether the decision-making process appropriately weighted feedback from the directly affected community versus those outside the jurisdiction.

Why Deermound Dog Park is the Right Location

• Land use compatibility: Deermound is a former landfill site with limited development options - a cell tower is one of the few appropriate uses for this land
• Emergency services: Addresses reported cellular dead zones, including areas where emergency personnel experienced connectivity issues during the wildfires of May 2023
• Minimal impact: The dog park can continue to operate normally with the tower present
• Already in process: Telus already applied for a permit at this location
• Public infrastructure on public land: Maintains community accountability and oversight

Regulatory Framework for Tower Placement

According to Strathcona County's official guidance, tower placement follows specific principles:

Location Priorities

Strathcona County's Land Use Bylaw 6-2015 encourages towers in "agricultural, industrial and other non-residential areas where tower height is unlikely to be an issue."

The Deermound Dog Park site aligns with this guidance as a public recreational area on a former landfill site, while the proposed residential location does not.

Co-location Requirements

Federal rules require that communications companies cooperate with one another to maximize the usage of an existing tower before building a new one. This principle extends to using appropriate public sites before resorting to placement on private residential land.

Site Selection Considerations

According to Strathcona County, tower placement must consider:

• Efficiency and productivity
• Utility access
• Construction feasibility
• Environmental impact
• Effects on existing land uses
• Aesthetic considerations

The Deermound site scores favorably on all these factors compared to residential placement.

Maintenance and Oversight

Cell tower facilities require quarterly inspection and maintenance. Having this infrastructure on public land ensures proper oversight and accountability to the community.

Health and Safety Regulations

Federal authorities (Innovation, Science and Economic Development Canada) manage health regulations through Safety Code 6 standards for radiofrequency exposure. Proper site selection on public land provides additional assurance of regulatory compliance and community oversight.

Questions to Ask Telus

When attending the open house or submitting comments, consider asking:

• Why was the Deermound Dog Park location put on hold?
• What specific technical or regulatory reasons prevent using the dog park site?
• How was the decision made to move from public to private land?
• What weight was given to opposition from residents outside Strathcona County?
• Can Telus demonstrate that all options for public land have been exhausted?