A proposed 22-metre Telus cell tower in Saanich’s Strawberry Vale neighbourhood is drawing criticism from nearby residents who say it could disrupt their lives and livelihoods.
The project, slated for private land at 1376 Blue Ridge Rd., will be adjacent to residential and agricultural properties, including a home-based pollinator research facility run by Carmen Lea.
She, along with her neighbour Ingrid Sorensen, said they were only notified of the project in early June. The pair found it “totally bizarre” that the district has no policies in place to regulate where towers can be built.
“We are feeling extremely frustrated to learn that Saanich does not have any policy to protect us from the predatory installation of a cell tower by a company like Telus,” said Lea, who lives on nearby Holland Avenue. “We are struggling to understand why the municipality would allow the installation of a tower on private land in a residential neighbourhood instead of on nearby public or industrial land.”
After learning about the news, Lea contacted Saanich and learned that the municipality may provide feedback to the federal government about the project but has no authority to approve or deny the application. Ultimately, all decisions rest with Innovation, Science and Economic Development Canada (ISED).
Unlike other B.C. municipalities such as North Cowichan, Surrey and West Vancouver – which have their own cell tower siting policies – Saanich follows ISED’s default consultation policy, which only requires notification of properties within three times the height of the proposed tower.
Lea said Telus approached her in October about installing the tower on her own property in exchange for a $1,200 monthly rental agreement, which she declined.
Lea, who also runs a safety testing lab that rears honey bees for research, is worried about the unforeseen impact that a neighbouring cell tower could have on her livelihood.
“In the type of research we’re doing, we’re supposed to be rearing (bees) without any type of disturbances,” she said. “The radiation emitted by the towers can disrupt bees’ abilities to find their home again and impact their ability to be effective pollinators.”
Recent studies on electromagnetic radiation suggest it can affect insect reproduction and navigation, though most studies have been conducted in lab settings. Real-world impact on wild pollinator populations remains unclear.
Meanwhile, Health Canada says exposure to low levels of electromagnetic fields from cell towers and devices poses no health risk to humans, with only tissue heating and nerve stimulation occurring at high exposure levels.
Sorensen, who moved to the area with her two children six months ago, said she was shocked by the plan.
“We were deflated and angry that there would be consideration for what seemed like an industrial structure on the almost immediately adjacent property and with no trees to obscure it,” she said. “It’s just hard to understand.”
More than just being an eyesore, the two neighbours are worried about the structure's impact on devaluing their property.
Saanich News visited 1376 Blue Ridge Rd., but the property owner declined to comment.
For its part, the municipality said that while council can provide a recommendation following a public consultation process, the final decision on cell tower applications rests with ISED, which is not obligated to follow the municipality’s input.
“The District of Saanich is not the approving authority for antenna applications,” reads their statement. “Antenna applications are under Federal jurisdiction, handled by ISED.
“It’s important to note that (they) can choose to follow or to ignore the resolution of council, as ISED is the approving authority.”
Saanich News reached out to ISED and Telus for comment, but did not hear back by deadline. The article will be updated once their responses are received.
According to Telus documents, the public consultation period is scheduled to close on July 15.
