On December 11 Council agenda there is a draft sign bylaw; it will be tabled for consideration and adoption at the January 8 Council. Revising the sign bylaw has been triggered primarily by feedback from our business community. As indicated in the report Staff has been working very closely with King Chamber of Commerce to address inadequacies in the current bylaw. In addition, as reviewed in another report, changes are required to implement new legislative requirements of the Municipal Legislation Act (which regulates municipal election). Finally its an opportunity to eliminate some ambiguity about real estate signs and construction & contractor signs. I am well aware that our sign bylaw for advertising is more restrictive than is case in some municipalities and that this is a challenge for our businesses. But, I also believe that sign pollution is not consistent with King. We need to find the balance. I urge you to review this report and the draft bylaw and provide your feedback prior to January 8th.
Based on a cursory read of the by-law, I think my concern about the proliferation of signs stuck to poles and those signs made of plastic sheet pulled over a metal frame, as being prohibited, is addressed – if not explicitly, then by its absence. Further, I think the signs that are temporary but very informative, such as the ones used to advertise an upcoming community event such as ‘A Main Street Christmas” should be allowed.