Saanich council will get a chance to guide the final design and placement of a replacement communications tower near the summit of PKOLS (Mount Douglas).
Council agreed this week to authorize the district’s chief administration officer to handle the procurement and design of a new tower, but asked staff to report back on the final design and construction plans before they are implemented.
Coun. Colin Plant said because of how key the location is, it’s important that council take responsibility for the decision.
Councillors Zac de Vries and Karen Harper voted against the motion. De Vries said there is no need for council to get involved beyond delegating the authority to the CAO.
“I’ve got full confidence in staff to work with the consultant to ensure that the base is as submerged as possible and that the siting of the base and the tower is in an area that will do the least possible environmental damage,” he said.
Saanich issued a request for proposals for the design, supply and installation of a new communication tower on Mount PKOLS, saying the existing tower has reached the end of its useful life.
A replacement is also required by the end of next year due to new federal regulations around wind and weight.
While design and location have yet to be finalized, CAO Brent Reems said the new tower is expected to be erected near the parking lot at the mountain’s summit.
He said placing the new tower in the same spot as the existing tower would require “significant environmental damage” through tree removal.
