For two years, Bell Mobility has fought to erect a new 40-metre-high cell tower at 7 Harlech Court, in the north end of the Thornlea revitalization area, and I have been strongly opposed to its application.

It is not often that a cellphone provider’s application is turned down by a municipal council, but I’m very happy to say that is what happened.  My motion to reject Bell’s proposal and send a letter of non-concurrence to Industry Canada (IC), the final decision-making body, passed. Though there is no guarantee, I hope that IC will respect our wishes.

A 120-foot tower on Harlech Court would significantly impede the positive change area residents have been fighting for. Harlech Court may not become the next Liberty Village or Distillery District, but putting this monstrosity here would certainly not encourage any type of exciting vision for this area. 

Wireless coverage for Thornhill is an important consideration. In fact, you will hear more in the coming months about new initiatives from the IT & communications committee I chair to truly make Markham a “smart city.”

But there is no need to erect a 12-storey monstrosity there. We can utilize our utility pole infrastructure (hydro, traffic signals and light standards). Instead of a central, high-powered antenna on a single, tall cell tower, a group of smaller, lower-powered antennas should be mounted atop existing utility poles.

We should use this opportunity to make Markham a technology leader while reducing our carbon footprint.

I welcome your thoughts by e-mail at hshore@markham.ca, and you can find more information by visiting www.howardshore.ca.