A telephone tower could be built on Pine Street in Porter Creek.
A bylaw to lease the land to Bell Mobility Inc. passed first and second reading unanimously Monday night.
The city is in the process of purchasing the empty property at the south end of Pine Street from the Yukon government. It needs the land for a tower for the city’s water utility system.
All water and sewage systems run on a computer system that allows the city to control pumps remotely. There are around 60 stations throughout Whitehorse, said Brian Crist, director of infrastructure and operations. The city needs to install equipment so all the towers can communicate with each other.
Bell Mobility Inc. wants to build a tower on the property. The city wants to install its equipment on top of the tower. If Bell builds the tower, the city would save around $80,000.
The lease is for 10 years. It could be extended for another 25 years after that.
The agreement is similar to a lease the city has with Bell to build a tower in the Selkirk Street area of Riverdale. It reached that lease agreement last fall. This proposal has concerned many residents, especially parents worried about the effects of electromagnetic radiation on their children. The city will be meeting with residents to address their concerns. The deadline for public comments on the Riverdale tower is April 15.