Council fine tunes proposed sign bylaw

By Jay Gutteridge Bradford Topic Jan 27, 2011
It appears as though the lengthy process of drafting a new sign bylaw for Bradford West Gwillimbury is nearly complete.
Town council spent a special meeting in the evening of Jan. 25 combing through the bylaw and fine-tuning several points.
The proposed sign bylaw is very different from the current one, but Mayor Doug White said the town plans to give people an adjustment period.
“We’re not going to send out any of our staff to throw their weight around the moment we pass this,” he said. “The first interaction (with the public) should be one of education.”
The proposed bylaw contains extensive details governing the size and location of signs, licences people must acquire to erect many of them, penalties for contravening the bylaw and more.
The big shift in the proposed bylaw versus the existing one is from a permit system to a licence system.
Under the current bylaw, people who want to erect a sign just need to acquire a permit. Their interaction with town staff on the issue is basically finished at that point.
“With licensing, council has much more control over the signage in town,” town CAO Jay Currier said. “There’s a certain amount of bureaucracy and cost associated with that.”
Whereas a permit governs the sign itself, a licence governs the person who owns the sign, John Mascarin of Aird & Berlis LLP said.
Under the proposed bylaw, the licences must be renewed periodically, meaning town staff can review the applicant and ensure they are meeting the bylaw criteria.
The town hired John S. Rogers Consulting Corp. and Aird & Berlis to help create the new bylaw in July 2009 after council determined the old sign bylaw was flawed, in part because too many businesses were being forced to apply for variances.
Town council opted at the time to go with a licensing system so it could ensure signs didn’t make the town unattractive.
Under the proposed bylaw, a licence to erect a permanent sign would cost $20 per square metre of sign face, with a minimum fee of $50. Depending on the type of sign, the renewal period would be five or 10 years, and the renewal fee would be $100.
A licence for an inflatable or mobile sign would cost $125 and would last 30 days. A mobile sign generally refers to a sign on a trailer. Only one mobile sign licence per four month period could be issued for a particular lot. For inflatable signs, the period would be six months.
Licences for banner and portable signs would be free and last 60 days. Portable signs are generally smaller than mobile signs and include things like the A-frame signs commonly seen on sidewalks in front of businesses. For banner and portable signs, only one licence per four month period could be issued for a particular lot.
Anyone requesting a variance from the sign bylaw would have to pay $400 if the variance can be approved by the town’s chief building officer and $800 if the variance needs to be approved by council.
To appeal a decision of the chief building officer to council, an applicant would have to pay $800.
The fee for the town removing a non-compliant sign would be $100 plus a $10 per day storage fee.
Non-profit groups could acquire inflatable and mobile sign licences for free and permanent sign licences for $50.
Any legally-erected existing sign in town is exempt from the bylaw as long as it is not changed.
The bylaw, with the amendments made by council at the Jan. 25 meeting, is scheduled to come back before council for approval Feb. 8.
To view a draft version of the bylaw without the amendments made by council Jan. 25, visit townofbwg.com and click on Council & Committees, then Minutes/Agendas, then 2011, then January, then Agenda under Jan. 25.

Signs of the times
By Miriam King Bradford Times January 27 2011
It’s taken 2 years, but it looks like Bradford West Gwillimbury will finally have a new sign by-law, one that strikes a balance between a “wild west” approach where anything goes, and micro-regulation of every sign.
“We have had numerous meetings with the Board of Trade, we have had Council workshops, staff meetings,” and extensive public input, said consultant John Rogers, presenting a Draft By-law at the January 25 Special Meeting of Council.
It’s a Draft that has evolved over the two years. While still representing a switch from “permitting” to “licensing” – which means that sign licenses must be renewed, with the payment of a fee, giving the Town greater control over their removal – Rogers incorporated changes that addressed the concerns of the Bradford Board of Trade and its members, and the Sign Association of Canada.
Licensing periods were extended – e.g., licences for ground signs and roof signs will be good for 10 years, not 5 – and the grandfathering of existing signs was spelled out. The list of exemptions was broadened, including garage sale signs, flags and decorations, signs advertising the Town’s special events, small signs on private property. The size of commercial window signs was increased from 25% to 35% of the window area, although limited to the first floor only. The allowable number of Wall Signs per building was increased. There are enforceable limits on mobile signs. Processes for variances and appeals were included.
Both the Board of Trade and Sign Association expressed appreciation for the efforts that will result in “clearer and more current regulations” – but also concerns.
And Council, going over the document, made some significant last-minute changes that addressed those concerns.
The maximum allowable size of signs on private property will be increased, to at least 2.55 sq. ft. The By-law proposed a maximum of 2.15 sq. ft. “People buy off-the-shelf signs – signs which are cut from a 4′ by 8′ sheet of corplast,” said Councillor Gary Lamb, noting that most ready-made signs are a standard 2′ by 2′.
“We could spend a fortune, having our staff going around with measuring tapes,” said Councillor Peter Dykie Jr. “You have to use common sense and standard sizes.”
“We’re not going to be dinging people for an inch here and an inch there, out of the gate,” said Mayor Doug White. “We don’t want people out there saying, your sign is 1 cm. too big.”
Window signs will be permitted on the 2nd and 3rd storeys of commercial buildings, and not restricted to the first floor. Councillor Lamb, brought forward the amendment, pointing out, “These people on the 2nd storey are trying to make a buck… I don’t know why that’s a problem.”
“Signs” painted on barns and farm sheds, that “advertise” the name of the farm or the farming family, are exempted. “That’s more pride of ownership,” rather than advertising, said Deputy Mayor Rob Keffer.
The By-law proposed a $125 non-refundable licensing fee for “temporary signs”, such as banner signs, inflatables, mobile and portable signs – and set a limit of 30 days on the length of time that they can be in place. At the recommendation of Councillor Del Crake, Council voted to drop the fees for both banner signs and small, portable A-frame signs – and extended the length of time they can be in place to 60 days. “We’re trying to induce business in the downtown core,” not “nickel and dime” business, said Crake.
Some clauses were questioned – and left in. Sign licences will not be transferable: anyone purchasing a business will have to reapply for a sign licence and pay the associated fee. Hand-held signs, walking posters, and costumed characters will be banned. And the fine for non-compliance will start at $350, up to a maximum of $10,000 to $100,000 as set in provincial statute – although it was pointed out that “nobody’s going to grant the maximum.”
The changes will be brought back for Council’s final approval, and passage of the By-law – hopefully February 8.