West Grey is leasing land in Durham for a new cell tower.
Council approved the lease to Shared Tower Inc. for 451 Saddler Street West, east of the water treatment plant, during a meeting on March 5.
Staff have confirmed this new 60 meter tower will not interfere with existing infrastructure or any future expansions.
Director of Infrastructure and Development Karl Schipprack says while the new tower will improve cell phone usage, Shared Tower has not indicated which service provider will make use of the new structure.
“It is proposed to be used for Rogers or Bell to broadcast,” says Schipprack.
The lease will be for 10 years and Schipprack says the rent has increased from an initial $700 a month.
“Through negotiation with the applicant to lease the land, we have increased the monthly lease from $700 per month to $1,000 per month. That will be for the first 10 years,” says Schipprack.
If West Grey and Shared Tower agree, the lease can be extended for another 10 years, which was supposed to see an increase to $840 a month.
“For the additional 10 years, it would be the $1,000 per month times 20 per cent,” says Schipprack.
