Red Deer County Board Defers Telus Tower Approval for Resident Input

Red Deer County’s Municipal Planning Commission voted 5-1 on Tuesday to delay a decision on a proposed 60-meter Telus communication tower to allow for more consultation with local residents.

Cell Tower Put on Hold

Telus Communications is seeking a discretionary use permit to build a 196-foot tower on agricultural land in Division 2 (NW 34-37-26-4). While the board initially moved to approve the tower with specific health and safety conditions, they ultimately decided the applicant had not done enough to speak with the neighbors.

Councillor Christine Moore introduced a motion to defer the application for up to 12 weeks. The delay is intended to give Telus time to conduct "meaningful" consultation with area landowners.

Chair Philip Massier was the lone vote against the delay. Councillors Depalme, Huelsman, Kennett, Ramsay, and Moore voted in favor of putting the project on hold.

Health and Safety Requirements

Before the deferral, the board went into a 13-minute closed session to seek advice from officials. Upon returning, they added a requirement that the county receive written confirmation from Industry Canada that the tower’s emissions will comply with Health Canada Safety Code #6.

If eventually approved, the tower must be enclosed by anti-climb fencing and any environmental contamination caused by the build must be remediated at the developer's expense.

Resort Residential Approvals

The commission approved two residential development permits involving property relaxations in Divisions 1 and 5.

In Division 1, a permit was granted for a 1,344-square-foot accessory building at 142 36214 Range Road 250. The board allowed the building to be placed in the front yard and approved a height increase to 24 feet, exceeding the standard 15-foot limit.

In Division 5, the board approved a sunroom addition for a cottage at 6023 35468 Range Road 30. The approval included a relaxation of the rear yard setback and allowed the main floor area to reach 1,280 square feet, which is 288 square feet over the typical limit. Abbey Ray spoke in favor of the application, which passed unanimously.

Land Subdivisions

Four subdivision applications were approved without opposition:

* Division 2: A 9.1-acre parcel was split from a 160-acre farmstead at 37330 Range Road 263. The owner must upgrade road access and ensure the septic system meets 2021 standards.
* Division 4: A 7.5-acre parcel was approved at 27139 Township Road 344. The developer is required to provide a 5.2-meter road widening dedication to the county.
* Division 1: A 32-acre parcel was approved for subdivision from a 158-acre lot at NW 31-35-22-4. The board required a Basic Environmental Review and brushing within the county road right-of-way.
* Division 4: The board approved the subdivision of 77.8 acres from one parcel to be consolidated with an adjacent property at 35215 Range Road 282.

What’s Next

The Telus communication tower application is expected back before the commission within the next 12 weeks, pending the results of the landowner consultation. All other approved permits are subject to a standard appeal period before construction can begin.