By Lyonel Doherty

Life (and business) in rural Oliver would be much easier with updated sign rules, according to Area C director Rick Knodel.

The proliferation and mish-mash of signage along Highway 97 is once again causing concern among some regional directors.

Knodel said the existing regulations are buried inside Area C’s zoning bylaws and in no way represent the agricultural businesses being promoted.

“In fact, if we were to enforce the current regulation we would damage if not destroy a large number of the businesses.”

The issue was recently rekindled by a new fruit stand just south of Oliver, called Nature’s Basket. Their electric sign did not conform to the bylaw, but the owners subsequently applied for a variance permit, which was approved by the regional district.

Owner Gurmeet Chahal told the Chronicle that board members were quite happy with their sign that is “professionally done compared to other fruit market signs” in the area.

Chahal said Knodel was very helpful in navigating this complex issue.

The director said the issue could have been avoided if the owners left the signage until the building occupancy permit was granted. 

But at a meeting of the Area C Advisory Planning Commission, members noted the sign was of high quality.

“It was also noted that this would fit what is currently the norm for signage in this area.”

Knodel recommended to the regional district that the variance be granted with the condition that the sign only be on during business hours.

Knodel is now seeking to establish an up-to-date sign bylaw to act as a standard to bring everyone into compliance.

The director said the problem stems from the fact many of these signs on the highway fall into the territory of the Ministry of Transportation. This means the regional district cannot enforce its sign rules on the ministry’s right-of-way.

He noted the last attempt to update the regulations was abandoned in 2014 when the ministry “walked away from the table” at the 11th hour when it decided it had no appetite to enforce the rules on their right of way unless the signage presented a serious threat to safety. 

Now, like before, you see many clusters of signs that may not be in compliance.

“We have to watch that it doesn’t get out of control,” Knodel said.

He acknowledged that businesses on the highway are “fighting for the extra dollar” but they have to consider the problem being created by too many non-conforming signs, which some people view as distracting and not very aesthetic.