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What about Cell Towers In some respects the same jurisdictional challenge exists with cell towers except they are federally regulated because local citizens and their municipal representatives have little say about how and when and where they get built. Cell Tower Placement in Haliburton In 2013 the Kawagama Lake CottagersAssociation KLCA became involved in a cell tower placement debate in their area. As a result of KLCA involvement and comments received during the public consultation process Bell Mobility modified their original proposed cell tower design. Instead of the 40 metre tri-pole original design they proposed a 29.9 metre tower disguised as an unlit pine tree. KLCA formally indicated their support for this revised proposal andAlgonquin Highlands Township Council voted shortly thereafter to advise Industry Canada of Councils support for the revised proposal. The Township also took the opportunity to develop a communications tower policy which will guide future proposals and ensure appropriate public consultation as part of the process. These notes compiled from the KLCAMembership Update of May 2013. FOCA thanks John McHardy of Kawagama Lake for sharing his impressions of this experience with FOCA. John has provided some additional written thoughts about the cell tower placement process and lessons learned for others in similar situations. Members can access these resources by request to the FOCA office. Contact us 705-749-3622 infofoca.on.ca FEDERATION OF ONTARIO COTTAGERS ASSOCIATIONS 9 continued from p. 7 Finally AMO recommended the Province look to municipalitieswho are responsible for Building Code enforcement the regulation of local roads utility corridors and infrastructurefor input into provincial smart grid planning. One notable indication that the GEA needed to better reflect local interests and concerns came in the form of Premier Wynnes mandate letters to Ministers in September 2014. The mandate letter on energy specifically directed the Minister of Energy as follows Working with the ministrys agencies and with municipal partners to ensure that municipalities participate meaningfully and effectively in the decision- making process for the placement of renewable energy projects including wind and natural gas. One Local Councils Reaction The Township of North Frontenac is one example of a community currently facing a large-scale wind turbine project proposal. Council voted to not support the proposal and have declared themselves as unwilling hosts. Mayor Ron Higgins a former FOCA Board member released an official statement in July 2015 titled Proposed Wind Turbine Position Paper which has been circulated to the Premier related Ministries municipal partners and the media. After reaching our decision to not support this project and declare ourselves as unwilling hosts Higgins wrote I felt compelled to conduct more research on how this came about I am providing this position paper in the hopes of entering into consultation with our Provincial government to have this whole issue addressed. The issue remains unresolved as we go to print with this Newsletter. Wind Solar and Cell Towers in Cottage Country A MEMBER CASE STUDY