Hornby LTC Regular Meeting Minutes

Extracted text (beginning)

ADOPTED 
Hornby Island  ADOPTED 1 
Local Trust Committee Minutes 
March 31, 2017 
 
Hornby Island Local Trust Committee 
Minutes of Regular Meeting 
 
Date: 
Location: 
March 31, 2017 
 
Room to Grow 
2100 Sollans Road, Hornby Island, BC 
 
Members Present: Laura Busheikin, Chair  
Alex Allen, Local Trustee 
Tony Law, Local Trustee 
 
Staff Present: Marnie Eggen, Island Planner 
Vicky Bockman, Recorder 
 
Others Present: 
 
Approximately thirty-two (32) members of the public – am 
Approximately four (4) members of the public - pm 
 
 
1. CALL TO ORDER 
 
Chair Busheikin called the meeting to order at 10:32 am.  She acknowledged that the 
meeting was being held in territory of the Coast Salish First Nations. She welcomed the 
public and introduced Trustees, staff and the recorder. 
 
2. TOWN HALL AND QUESTIONS 
 
Comments regarding the TELUS antenna siting proposal included the following: 
 Opposition to the proposal was expressed with concerns that the process is being 
rushed. More time is needed for meaningful community consultation and research 
into alternatives such as fibre optic cables or other systems allowing for 
telecommunication within Hornby Island in the event of a cable failure; 
 Many members of the public opposed the tower based on health risk concerns; 
 The location of the proposed tower was considered to be unsafe and unacceptable 
as too small and too close to the Elder Housing, a nursery, residential housing and 
the road; 
 Concerns were expressed that liability in the event of damage, fire, earthquake or 
negative health effects has not been determined; 
 A point was made that the Local Trust Committee (LTC) should not concur with the 
process as it conflicts with Official Community Plan policy; 
 Support for the tower was stated, citing lack of cell coverage on areas of the island 
affects emergency services and failure of the existing cable, expected in a few years, 
would leave many residents vulnerable; 
 Formation of a committee to strategize and consider the options was suggested; 
 Concerns were expressed that the height and purpose of the proposed tower could 
be modified in the future; 
 Concern was expressed that values of those properties close to the tower would be 
diminished and owners of nearby properties oppose the tower; 

ADOPTED 
Hornby Island  ADOPTED 2 
Local Trust Committee Minutes 
March 31, 2017 
 Concern was expressed that this tower would affect Hornby Island’s esthetic value 
as a retreat; 
 A community member indicated personal support for the proposed tower, while 
acknowledging the lack of community support and contradiction with OCP policy; 
 Concern was expressed regarding negative effect on trees and wildlife; 
 Negative effects of electromagnetic radiation field on bees was cited as a concern; 
 An individual acknowledged that the concerns being expressed as well as the safety 
issues that would result from lack of proper communications should not be ignored, 
however, noted 

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