A new telecommunications pole might be in the foreseeable future in the Metrotown area.
Rogers Communications Inc. has put forward a rezoning application to council, which seeks to put up a 14.9-metre tall steel telecommunications monopole with accessory equipment cabinets and fencing at 7541 Conway Ave., in the Kingsway and Beresford neighbourhood.
The site is in an industrial neighbourhood bounded by Gilley Avenue to the west and Beresford Street to the north. The purpose of the pole is to improve wireless service to the surrounding industrial and nearby residential areas.
"After thorough research, the proposed site location was found to meet radiofrequency engineering requirements in providing optimal coverage and compliment the industrial uses surrounding the site," said Samuel Sugita, Standard Land Company Inc.'s municipal affairs specialist working as an agent for Rogers, in a letter of intent.
Sugita also states that there are no other existing structures within the immediate area that could provide adequate height to install antennas for wireless coverage.
"The proposed design is stealth in nature as the antennas are mounted inside the pole itself to reduce the overall visibility of the structure," Sugita states. "This design, in combination with the structure's location at the rear of a large parcel, will greatly reduce the overall visibility of the structure."
The property where the pole is intended to go has two multi-tenant, two-storey buildings that contain a variety of manufacturing and wholesale uses, as well as a beer and wine making outlet on site.
The Expo SkyTrain line is south of the property, and the nearest single-family residential area is located about 110 metres on the south side of Rumble Street. A new three-storey, 46 unit multiple family residential development is located about 140 metres west of the site, on Gilley Avenue.
"As adjacent sites redevelop, Gilley Avenue will form a distinct boundary between the new multiple family residential area and the industrial area surrounding the subject site," a planning and building report states.
At council's May 27 meeting, Coun. Nick Volkow asked staff to prepare a report that would look into what other cities do in the Lower Mainland and abroad when it comes to handling monopoles. The report will also discuss financial benefits or potential revenue that can be captured through this type of development.
"I know it's like putting lipstick on a pig, because there are other issues in regards to these things," Volkow said. "But there are cities around North America and also the (United) States that do disguise these things, so as you're going by them you don't even know that they're a pole."
Volkow said he's aware that the city will hear opposition to the pole's implementation, as well.
"They still do whatever some folks, that I'm sure will be appearing here, will claim they do. But as I say, putting lipstick on a pig sometimes works," he said.
Mayor Derek Corrigan also expressed concerns about the proposed monopole having a single user.
"It would be much more preferable to limit the amount of poles in this community and ensure they're highly utilized," Corrigan added. "But in this case, it's a single user, and that's of some concern."
According to the city report, the pole's installation would allow for co-location by other telecommunications providers.
"(Rogers) further noted that opportunities for co-location in the area were investigated, but no suitable sites were identified," the report states.
Council approved the report's recommendation to allow staff to work with Rogers and prepare a suitable plan that would be available at a future public hearing.
