September 23, 1998

To:Corporate Services Committee

From:Commissioner of Corporate Services

Subject:Installation of a Pole, Antenna and Monitoring Equipment at the northeast corner of Bayview Avenue and Post Road

(Ward 9 - North York Centre South)

Purpose:

To provide information on consultation with the local councillors and a community meeting respecting the subject matter.

Funding Sources, Financial Implications and Impact Statement:

Not applicable.

Recommendation:

It is recommended that this report be received for information.

Council Reference/Background/History:

The Corporate Services Committee on July 20, 1998, had before it a report (June 25, 1998) from the Commissioner of Corporate Services, recommending that:

(1)the City of Toronto enter into a three year License Agreement with Rogers Cantel Inc. on the terms and conditions outlined in this report and in a form and content acceptable to the City Solicitor; and

(2)the appropriate City of Toronto officials be authorized and directed to take the necessary action to give effect thereto.

The Corporate Services Committee referred the aforementioned report back to the Commissioner of Corporate Services for consultation with the local Councillors; and report thereon to the meeting of the Corporate Services Committee scheduled to be held on October 9, 1998.

Comments and/or Discussion and/or Justification:

Consequently, a public information meeting was held on Monday September 14, 1998. In attendance was Councillor Joanne Flint, Carolyn Baxter, Councillor Berger's Executive Assistant, representatives from the two local ratepayer's groups, the zoning official from Cantel, and Glen Hamilton of the Facilities and Real Estate Division. A broad range of issues were discussed including the intrusion of this installation on the aesthetics of the neighbourhood, the restrictive zoning covenants that do not allow antennae and dishes in the area which do not apply as the location is within the road allowance and the benefits to the business community who lived in the immediate area of having better reception for their cell phones.

Cantel advised that their engineer preferred this site for technical reasons and had not looked at alternative sites in the area. As there was strong opposition to the Post Road and Bayview location from the neighbourhood representatives, it was agreed amongst all present, that Cantel should investigate other locations and present a landscaping plan that could mitigate the visual impact of the installation of the antennae and monitoring box.

Conclusion:

When Cantel has completed this study and if the Company still wants to use municipal land in this community another public information meeting will be held and I will provide your Committee with another report, if necessary.

Contact Name:

Mr. Tony Pittiglio, Manager of Property Services; Telephone No. (416)-392-8155; Fax No.: (416)392-4828; E-mail Address: anthony_pittiglio@metrodesk.metrotor.on.ca (cs98183.wpd)

Margaret Rodrigues

Commissioner of Corporate Services

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