Port Coquitlam council is OK with plans to build a telecommunications tower next to the CP Rail yard off Lougheed Highway but says a similar structure planned for Coast Meridian Road should be rejected.
Coun. Brad West, who chairs the city's smart growth committee, said residents were concerned with the visual impact the 35 m monopole planned for the northwest corner of a strip mall at Coast Meridian and Prairie Avenue would have on the surrounding neighbourhood.
"We heard from numerous surrounding residents who were opposed to the location," he said in an email. "The visual impact would be significant and the design of the tower makes it stick out like a sore thumb."
The same could not be said for the second facility, which, if approved by the federal government, would be located at 1670 Lougheed Hwy. West said that site makes more sense given that there are not many residences in the area.
Officially, the city's recommendation has no bearing on the federal government's decision to approve the facilities. But Laura Lee Richard, PoCo's director of development services, said in the past, Industry Canada has been good at listening to council decisions concerning telecommunications towers.
"The federal government still retains the authority to make whatever decision it sees fit," she said, adding, "I'd like to think Industry Canada is going to take our opinion into account."
Other news:
SAMZ SEATS
Samz Pub will be able to open its doors to more customers after Port Coquitlam council voted in favour of a liquor licence amendment allowing an increase in capacity. Currently, the bar has a capacity of 165, a number that will increase to 202 after Monday night's unanimous council vote. The changes did not require additional parking stalls, with the city allowing the establishment to have one stall for every three patrons.
