A short project may result in a tall tower, depending on the public’s reaction to Plateau Pipe Line Ltd.’s submitted proposal for a new communication tower between Dawson Creek and Fort St John.
Representatives of the Peace River Regional District said they are willing to receive and deliver comments to the company, so long as the feedback is submitted by September 18.
Plateau, a subsidiary of the Pembina Pipeline Corporation, wants to install a lattice communication tower at their new facility in Farmington, an unincorporated settlement 51 kilometres south of Fort St John. The self-supported structure is necessary because it would allow them to monitor, communicate, and remotely-control their various operations in the area, they said.
This proposed 35 metre tower on the pipeline company’s lot in Farmington would be located between a private driveway, which will be paved if the project is approved, and 216 Road, a side road close to Highway 97.
The federal institution responsible for managing antenna locations, Innovation, Science and Economic Development Canada, requires companies to consider sharing a tower and installing smaller structures already-existing buildings before constructing their own structure for the antenna to sit on.
Plateau said neither of these options are feasible in their case because there are no opportunities for co-locating in the area, and the tower must be on-site to perform its duties – however it would be willing to share the tower, if another company in the area requests to install their own antenna.
The tower’s design shows a space beneath the initial antenna installation where spaces are reserved for future additions.
Residents who live in the area Plateau expected to be impacted should receive a package from the company elaborating on their plan and why the tower must be built in their vicinity.
The regional district has an already-established plan for the installation of new telecommunications towers and antenna risings, the company said they intend to abide by the district’s process and will host an open house about the project, where residents can submit feedback, at the Farmington Community Hall.
Plateau’s open house will be on the evening of September 11, from 7 to 9, the company said people who cannot attend the meeting can send questions directly into them or Innovation, Science and Economic Development Canada’s office for northern B.C. and Yukon.
Alternatively, the regional district’s planning department will also receive questions to submit to the Alberta-based company – residents can submit them until September 18. If the project is given the go-ahead, the pipeline company said they intend on beginning the one-month construction project in 2026.
