An information meeting hosted by Bell Canada on its proposed cell tower in Copper Ridge drew a crowd of between 40 and 60 people Wednesday night, say local resident Tracey Twa and city planning manager Pat Ross.

Twa said Thursday most of the residents there, like herself, weren't in favour of the proposed lease area for the tower, in green space off Falcon Drive.

The proposal is among a number of new towers Bell has erected or is planning for Whitehorse as demand on the system rises. More residents are opting to give up their landlines in favour of cell phones and a substantial increase in data use with the popularity of smartphones.

A tower was installed in Riverdale last year and work is underway for others in Porter Creek and at the airport area.

The Copper Ridge tower would primarily serve that area. In the week before the meeting, Twa delivered flyers to residents in Copper Ridge and area neighbourhoods to get the word out.

She noted residents at the meeting brought forward a number of good points and questions about the tower.

They ranged from the "increased ugliness factor” it's argued the tower would bring to whether such a tower could attract lightning, which could raise the risk of forest fires in the area,.

That's one of the points Twa said she hadn't thought of until she heard it Wednesday night. Ironically, a powerful thunder and lightning storm drenched Whitehorse shortly after the meeting.

One of Twa's neighbours, a retired realtor, told Bell officials he's certain the tower would bring down property values.

There was also a lot of frustration, she said, over how the lease has come forward.

There's been no consultation, and one resident described feeling "railroaded” by the proposal, she said.

She pointed out that many people are away during the summer and may not get an opportunity to state their opposition to the tower.

Wednesday's meeting, Twa added, was also not a consultation gathering but an information session.

As it's been noted earlier, because the proposed lease is so far from residential properties, no formal notification was sent out.

Industry Canada requires that residents within three times a proposed tower's height be notified while the city sends out notification when there are rezoning applications or Official Community Plan amendments within 100 metres of a proposed project.

No zoning change is required for the lease as a cell tower is deemed "public infrastructure” and permitted in any zone including the parks and recreation zone the land is currently designated as.

Ross noted Bell has looked at a number of other sites in the area.

Ultimately, this was viewed as the best location, as it's the furthest away from residents and won't interfere with area trails.

If this doesn't go ahead, Bell could look at putting in two or three smaller towers in the neighbourhood – which would be closer to residents.

Despite the many arguments against the tower – including a petition Twa has started – she was quick to note that it all might be a "done deal” by Aug. 12, when city council is set to vote on third reading of the lease agreement.

The only member of council to attend Wednesday's meeting was Coun. John Streicker.

Twa said she hopes he will impress to the rest of council the issues brought up at the meeting.

Ross said a number of speakers expressed support for the tower. They noted the need to have good service in case of emergencies, especially for those who have given up their landlines.

Twa is unable to make next Monday's council meeting to again offer her thoughts, but she didn't rule out making another presentation later.

Ross said city staff will be compiling a report on the meeting for council that will be presented at the Aug. 12 meeting. That's when Bell representatives are scheduled to be back in the city.

The lease would see Bell pay the city $12,000 in the first year for the 250 square metres of land, with the rate rising annually to $15,657 in the final year of the 10-year agreement.