It's back to the drawing board for SaskTel in finding a location to put up a new cellular communications antenna.
City council voted Oct. 15 to deny a discretionary land use application for a communications antenna along Diefenbaker Drive about 90 metres from the intersection of Diefenbaker Drive and 18th Avenue in front of North West Regional College.
The reason for the denial is objections raised by adjacent property owners. The City received correspondence from officials at North West Regional College and Living Sky School Division opposing the location, with concerns raised about the physical dimensions of the pole and whether it would be secured or fenced off. Concern was expressed the pole might end up a target of vandalism as well.
Earlier this year, SaskTel had received approval to put up two communications antennas in the city, with council approving a location within Centennial Park for one.
However, a lease for that pole never did get finalized.
City Manager Jim Toye explained they simply couldn't come to terms with SaskTel.
"We didn't agree with their price point," said Toye.
"We want what's fair and equitable."
The Diefenbaker Drive/18th Avenue location was put forward as an alternative, but with objections raised by the neighbouring property owners, City administration made the recommendation to council that they deny the application.
So it is now back to square one for SaskTel as they continue their search for a location for the new antenna, needed to handle the increasing demand for data from their customers.
Mayor Ian Hamilton expects talks on a location will go on. "We'll have to continue our discussions with SaskTel," said Hamilton.
