Telecommunication Facilities in Kawartha Lakes
Telecommunications Regulations
Telecommunication towers and antenna systems are regulated and approved by the federal government under the jurisdiction of Innovation, Science and Economic Development Canada (ISED), and are not subject to municipal official plan policies and zoning regulations.
While approval rests with the federal government, the City acts as the local Land Use Authority (LUA) and participates in the consultation and concurrence process required by ISED.
The rules and requirements for anyone who plans to install or modify a telecommunications tower or facility are outlined in the federal government’s “Client Procedural Circular CPC-2-03.”
ISED Canada requires proponents who wish to install or modify most types of telecommunications towers or facilities to conduct public consultation with area residents. As a part of the consultation process, ISED Canada also requires proponents to work with the Land-use Authority (LUA), which here is the City of Kawartha Lakes. ISED Canada requires proponents to receive concurrence from the local LUA before commencing construction of most new telecommunications towers or facilities (ISED does exempt some towers and facilities from consultation).
To provide proponents and the public with a comprehensive set of policies and procedures for telecommunications facilities and towers, the City of Kawartha Lakes has developed the Telecommunications and Antenna System Siting Policy (CP2025-006).
ISED Canada provides information on common questions for telecommunication facilities through the Facts about Towers webpage.
Proposals for Telecommunications Towers and Facilities
Proponents who wish to install or modify most types of telecommunications towers or facilities are required to submit a Telecommunications Preconsultation Application . Before submitting a Preconsultation Application, proponents are highly recommended to reach out to the Planning Division staff, especially before securing a lease with a property owner, so staff can help ensure the proposal aligns with the City’s site selection criteria.
Please contact the Planning Division at planningadmin@kawarthalakes.ca or at 705-324-9411 ext. 1231 or toll-free at 1-888-822-2225 ext. 1231
Following the Telecommunication Preconsultation, the proponent will receive feedback on the proposal, as well as direction on next steps for conducting public consultation and pursuing concurrence.
Site Selection Criteria
Telecommunications Facilities should be located in a manner which minimizes their overall impact on the community. Generally, where possible towers are encouraged to be placed in sparsely populated areas, away from historic downtowns and residential areas. Alternative tower structures are recommended for towers within or close to settlement areas. Towers are not permitted in environmentally sensitive features or hazardous lands such as floodplains. Towers must be on lands with direct access to an open municipal road.
Full details tower locations and preferred methods for adding additional capacity and considerations are found in the Telecommunications and Antenna System Siting Policy, Section 2 “Site Selection Criteria.”
Public Consultation and Notification
ISED’s minimum public consultation process is in ISED Canada’s CPC-2-0-03 policies. However, the City of Kawartha Lakes has developed a more robust consultation process and is detailed in Section 5 of the City’s Telecommunications and Antenna System Siting Policy.
ISED Canada minimum notification requirements include notifying all properties within three times the tower height and placing a notice is a local newspaper. In addition, the City’s policy also requires proponents to:
- Mail notices to all property owners
- within 60 metres of the host property in urban areas;
- within 120 metres of the host property in rural areas (unless the tower is at least 500 metres from neighbouring properties);
- Post a news release through the City’s News and Notices web page, and;
- Post an information sign or signs on the property.
Residents interested in proposed telecommunication towers are encouraged to subscribe to Public Notices on the City’s News and Notices web page.
Comments for Telecommunications Facility Applications
Comments from the public shall be directed to Planning Administration at planningadmin@kawarthalakes.ca. Comments will be recorded and forwarded to the proponent. Proponents are required to address all reasonable and relevant concerns, make all reasonable efforts to resolve them in a mutually acceptable manner, and must copy planningadmin@kawarthalakes.ca on public responses. Proponents must keep a record of all associated communications, and include this record in their application with the City.
ISED Canada’s CPC-2-0-03 policy document details what public comments the proponent must address and which type of comments it deems “not relevant” which the proponent does not need to address. Further details about public comments can be found in section 5.07 of the Telecommunications and Antenna System Siting Policy.
Issuing Concurrence for Telecommunication Facilities
As the Land Use Authority (LUA), Kawartha Lakes is responsible for issuing “concurrence” – a letter stating the consultation process has been followed.
The City’s Telecommunications and Antenna System Siting Policy defines applications that are “contested” or “non-contested.” The Director of Development Services is delegated approval authority for issuing concurrence for non-contested applications as well as determining when an application is contested and requires a decision from Council.
Further details about concurrence can be found in section 6 of the Telecommunications and Antenna System Siting Policy.
