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HomeMy WebLinkAboutPLN 21-20 Report to Planning & Development Committee Report Number: PLN 21-20 Date: October 5, 2020 From: Kyle Bentley Director, City Development & CBO Subject: Proposed Telecommunication Tower Installation Enbridge Gas Distribution Inc. Installation #70 Part Lot 18, Concession 8, Now Part 3, 40R-13684 (4905 Brock Road) Recommendation: 1.That Enbridge Gas Distribution Inc. be advised that City Council does not object to the 27.4 metre high radio telecommunication tower installation proposed to be located at 4905 Brock Road, based on the design and other details submitted with this request. Executive Summary: Enbridge Gas Distribution Inc. (Enbridge Gas) is proposing to erect a 27.4 metre high tripole lattice-style radio telecommunication tower at 4905 Brock Road, a property owned by Enbridge Gas that is currently being used as a natural gas pumping station. The site is located on the east side of Brock Road, south of Ninth Concession Road, immediately east of the Hamlet of Claremont. The proposed radio telecommunication tower will facilitate internal radiocommunication coverage for Enbridge Gas and ensure proper monitoring of natural gas pressure at the site. On behalf of Enbridge Gas, FONTUR International Inc. (FONTUR) has completed the public consultation process in accordance with Industry Canada requirements and the City’s Radiocommunication and Broadcasting Antenna System Protocol. FONTUR has advised that no public or agency comments were received. Enbridge Gas is requesting that City Council provide a statement of concurrence in support of the installation. City staff are supportive of the proposed installation. This radio telecommunication tower will assist Enbridge Gas by providing improved operations efficiency and improving internal on-site communication for Enbridge Gas staff. Staff recommends that Enbridge Gas be advised that Council does not object to the proposed tower. Financial Implications: No direct costs to the City are anticipated as a result of the proposed development. Report PLN 21-20 October 5, 2020 Subject: Proposed Telecommunication Tower Installation #70 Page 2 1.Background 1.1 Property Description The subject property is located on the east side of Brock Road, south of Ninth Concession Road, adjacent to the Hamlet of Claremont. The property has an area of approximately 0.47 of a hectare (see Air Photo Map, Attachment #1). The lands to the south and to the east are intended for agricultural uses. Across Brock Road, properties to the north and to the west are residential properties within the Hamlet of Claremont. The lands are designated as “Oak Ridges Moraine Countryside Area”, and are currently zoned as “ORM-A” and “ORM-EP” within Zoning By-law 3037, as amended. Telecommunication towers are federally regulated and therefore exempt from local zoning regulations. 1.2 Applicant’s Proposal Enbridge Gas is proposing to erect a 27.4 metre high tripole lattice-style telecommunication tower. The tower is proposed to be located along the southerly property line, setback approximately 60.0 metres from Brock Road (see Proposed Site Plan, Attachment #2, and Submitted Elevation Plan, Attachment #3). The tower and associated equipment shelter will be located on a concrete pad within a 10.0 metre by 4.5 metre fenced-in compound. Vehicular access to the fenced compound exists from Brock Road and is controlled with a chain-link fence. Enbridge Gas has advised that there is a gap in radiocommunication coverage for the internal communication and monitoring network. This gap does not allow for seamless internal communication and monitoring of natural gas pressure at the Claremont pumping station. The proposed radio telecommunication tower will fill this coverage gap, improve internal monitoring of natural gas pressure, and maintain the safety and integrity of the current Enbridge network. For security and safety, Enbridge has advised that future co-location is not a possibility since the tower will be located within a private fenced -in compound. For this reason, the tower will not be structurally designed to facilitate co-location. 2.Comments Received 2.1 Public Notification has been completed FONTUR has completed the public consultation in accordance with the City’s Cell Tower Protocol. As this proposal is located in a rural area, the minimum circulation radius of 500 metres from the tower location was applied. A total of 105 property owners were notified by mail. The applicant has advised that no written comments were received as a result of the public circulation (see Applicant’s Justification & Consultation Summary Report, Attachment #4). No concerns were received from City Departments or external agencies. Report PLN 21-20 October 5, 2020 Subject: Proposed Telecommunication Tower Installation #70 Page 3 3.Assessment of the Proposal against the City’s Cell Tower Protocol The City’s Telecommunication Tower Protocol (the Protocol) was established to provide direction for proponents on the location and design of antenna towers, and provides criteria for staff to assess a proposal. City Development staff have reviewed the proposed radio telecommunication tower against the location and design criteria of the City’s Protocol. 3.1 Co-location opportunities have been examined The installation and creation of separate, stand-alone, radiocommunications towers and broadcasting facilities are discouraged unless all other co-location options have been explored and are considered unfeasible. FONTUR has advised that there are no suitable towers/structures within their search area given the purpose of this telecommunication tower. 3.2 Proposed Tower Location and Design is Acceptable FONTUR has indicated that the radio telecommunication tower height has been minimized as much as possible to reduce the visual impact and will have minimal land use conflict with the surrounding properties. The tripole lattice -style design is acceptable given the rural character of the surrounding area. The nearest residential property is approximately 125.0 metres from the proposed location of the tower. The compound is setback approximately 60.0 metres from Brock Road and the existing mature vegetation along Brock Road will help diminish the visual impact of the tower. Figure 1: Tower Simulation Report PLN 21-20 October 5, 2020 Subject: Proposed Telecommunication Tower Installation #70 Page 4 Staff support the proposed location of this radio telecommunication tower as it will assist Enbridge Gas to improve their internal communications and monitoring of natural gas pressure. 4.Conclusion Staff recommend that City Council endorse the recommendation in this Report as the installation satisfies the requirements of the City’s Telecommunications Tower Protocol. Attachments: 1.Air Photo Map 2.Proposed Site Plan 3.Submitted Elevation Plan 4.Applicant’s Justification & Consultation Summary Report Prepared By: Approved/Endorsed By: Felix Chau Catherine Rose, MCIP, RPP Planner I Chief Planner Nilesh Surti, MCIP, RPP Kyle Bentley, P.Eng. Manager, Development Review Director, City Development & CBO & Urban Design FC:ld Recommended for the consideration of Pickering City Council Marisa Carpino, M.A. Interim Chief Administrative Officer ! Central Street Acorn Lane Brock RoadWellington Street Ninth Concession Road Lorn StreetVictoriaStreetLivingston StreetBovingdon Place CLAREMONT MEMORIAL PARK #* 1:4,000 SCALE: © The Corporation of the City of Pickering Produced (in part) under license from: © Queens Printer, Ontario Ministry of Natural Resources. All rights reserved.;© Her Majesty the Queen in Right of Canada, Department of Natural Resources. All rights reserved.; © Teranet Enterprises Inc. and its suppliers all rights reserved.; © Municipal Property Assessment Corporation and its suppliers all rights reserved.; City Development Department Air Photo Map File: Applicant: Property Description: Installation #70 Enbridge Gas Distribution Inc. Pt Lot 18, Concession 8, Now Part 3, 40R-13684 THIS IS NOT A PLAN OF SURVEY. Date: Sep. 10, 2020 SubjectLands (4905 Brock Road) L:\PLANNING\01-MapFiles\S\CommunicationTowers\Installation# 70 - Enbridge Gas\CT70_AirPhoto.mxd ¯ CT70E E60 m Attachment #1 to Report #PLN 21-20 L:\PLANNING\01-MapFiles\S\CommunicationTowers\Installation# 70 - Enbridge Gas Sep. 10, 2020DATE: Applicant: Property Description: File No: Proposed Site Plan FULL SCALE COPIES OF THIS PLAN ARE AVAILABLE FOR VIEWING AT THE CITY OF PICKERING CITY DEVELOPMENT DEPARTMENT. City Development Department Installation #70 Enbridge Gas Distribution Inc. Pt Lot 18, Concession 8, Now Part 3, 40R-13684 Proposed Telecommunications Tower (4905 Brock Road) Attachment #2 to Report #PLN 21-20 Submitted Elevation Plan City Development Department Sep. 10, 2020FULL SCALE COPIES OF THIS PLAN ARE AVAILABLE FOR VIEWING AT THE CITY OF PICKERING CITY DEVELOPMENT DEPARTMENT. Installation #70 Enbridge Gas Distribution Inc.Applicant: Property Description: DATE: File No: Pt Lot 18, Concession 8, Now Part 3, 40R-13684 L:\PLANNING\01-MapFiles\S\CommunicationTowers\Installation# 70 - Enbridge Gas (4905 Brock Road) Attachment #3 to Report #PLN 21-20 September 9, 2020 Justification & Consultation Summary Report Radiocommunications Tower Site 4905 Brock Road, Claremont, Pickering, Ontario Attachment #4 to Report #PLN 21-20 Contents Introduction ........................................................................... 3 Description of Proposed System ............................................. 4 Control of Public Access ......................................................... 4 Transport & NAV Canada Assessment .................................... 5 Distance to Residential ........................................................... 5 Engineering Practices ............................................................. 6 Public Consultation ................................................................ 6 Conclusion .............................................................................. 6 Introduction Enbridge Gas Distribution is Canada’s largest gas distribution utility, delivering natural gas to 3.7 million retail customers. Enbridge owns and operates more than 148,800 kilometers of gas distribution mainlines and services lines and 4,800 kilometers of transmission pipelines. Enbridge owns 278.7 billion cubic feet of net working storage in southwest Ontario. In order to maintain safe operations for employees, equipment and customers Enbridge Gas Distribution owns and operates a SCADA (Supervisory Control and Data Acquisition) radiocommunications system across Ontario. This system is comprised of tower and antenna sites distributed across Enbridge properties used for regulating and monitoring of natural gas pressure and operations. These antenna systems are needed in order for each pumping station to communicate with each other and relay information to the central system in addition to supporting maintenance and operations staff’s international communication network. Purpose - Background & Coverage Requirement A radio antenna and a tower are the two most important parts of a radio communication system. The antenna is needed to send and receive signals for the radio station. The tower raises the antenna above obstructions such as trees and buildings so that it can send and receive these signals clearly. Each radio station and its antenna system (including the tower) provide radio coverage to a specific geographic area, often called a cell. The antenna system must be carefully located to ensure that it provi des a good signal over the whole cell area, without interfering with other stations. Currently, there is a gap in radiocommunication coverage for the Enbridge Gas internal communication and monitoring network. This gap does not allow for seamless internal communications and monitoring of natural gas pressure and operations. An installation at the subject property would allow Enbridge to fill this gap in coverage and ensure seamless communications throughout their network. Selection & Justification of Siting The proposed location, 4905 Brock Road was chosen due to the existing pump station. This property is owned and operated by Enbridge Gas Distribution Inc. Locating the radio antenna at this site is necessary in order for Enbridge to receive information from the pump station. Existing access and available power also make this an ideal site from a construction perspective, as there will be limited disruption needed in order to construct the antenna system. The proposed location (Figure 1.) is set back approximately 60 metres east of Brock Road and approximately 255 metres northeast of the intersection of Old Brock Road and Brock Road. Description of Proposed System The proposed radiocommunication system is a 27.43 metre steel self -support tower. The tower will be surrounded by a 10 metre by 4.50 metre fenced-in compound. The tower and associated equipment shelter will be located on a concrete pad. Statement Indicating Need for Tower Height The proposed height of 27.43 metres will allow Enbridge to improve internal communications and pressure monitoring at the 4905 Brock Street pump station. This height is required in order for the radiocommunications tower to function as intended and ensure there are no lapses in coverage. Control of Public Access The site facility would include a locked, alarmed and electronically monitored mechanical equipment shelter. Fencing would be installed around the base of the tower and equipment shelter(s) and would include one locked gate access point. Proposed Location Transport & NAV Canada Assessment Enbridge Gas Distribution Inc. attests that the radio antenna system described in this notification package will comply with Transport Canada / NAV Canada aeronautical safety requirements. Enbridge has made all necessary applications to Transport Canada and NAV Canada. Both agencies have yet to complete their review of the proposed installation. Enbridge Gas will endeavor to provide the results of each respective assessment to the City of Pickering as soon as they become available. Distance to Residential The proposed radiocommunications tower is approximately 125 metres from the nearest residential property. ~125m Engineering Practices Enbridge Gas Distribution Inc. attests that the radio antenna system described in this report will be constructed in compliance with the National Building Code of Canada and comply with good engineering practices including structural adequacy. Public Consultation After the completion of the original justification report on November 6, 2019, a public circulation and consultation has been undertaken in accordance with the City’s established telecommunication tower facility policy document. The public was notified of the proposed tower in accordance with the City’s Consultation Process and Innovation, Science and Economic Development’s CPC 2-0-03. Accordingly, residents and property owners within a radius of 150 metres (measured from the base of the tower) were sent an information brochure via regular mail (Appendix A) that was mailed out on June 22, 2019. A total of 105 property owners/agencies were contacted (Appendix B), an additional notice to Innovation, Science and Economic Development. The total commenting period was 30 days and there were no comments from the public. Conclusion Enbridge Gas has determined that a radio installation at 4905 Brock Road, Pickering is necessary to maintain effective communication and proper monitoring of natural gas pressure. To that end, an improvement upon the current radio system is necessary in order to maintain the safety and integrity of the current Enbridge network. As the public comment period regarding this site has expired and that the public has not voiced objection to this installation, Enbridge Gas Distribution Inc. is formally requesting that the City formally acknowledge this report as the conclusion of consultation procedures for this telecommunication tower and issue a letter of concurrence. Should you have any further questions or concerns pertaining to the consultation process associated with this proposal please do not hesitate to contact the undersigned. Sincerely, Brendan Chiu FONTUR International Inc. On Contract to Signum Wireless Inc. Appendix A- Public Notification Brochure (Side 1) Appendix A- Public Notification Brochure (Side 2) Appendix B- Public Mailing List (Page 1) Appendix B- Public Mailing List (Page 2) Appendix B- Public Mailing List (Page 3) Appendix B- Public Mailing List (Page 4) Appendix B- Public Mailing List (Page 5) Appendix B- Public Mailing List (Page 6) Appendix B- Public Mailing List (Page 7) Appendix B- Public Mailing List (Page 8) (END)