It’s the sign of the times, but some regional directors are getting fed up with it.
The proliferation of signs was the topic of discussion at a recent board meeting, where a number of directors agreed that stricter enforcement of sign regulations was necessary.
As a result, the board carried a motion to establish sign enforcement priorities, including writing to local MLAs and the Ministry of Transportation about signs encroaching on highway right-of-ways.
Area A director Mark Pendergraft said they need a bylaw that limits the number of signs on private land.
Osoyoos Mayor Stu Wells said the signs proliferating the entranceway to Osoyoos is “absolutely terrible.”
Wells said they’ve lost the natural viewscape because of these signs, noting you can’t even seek Okanagan Lake because of the billboards as you enter Kelowna.
Wells said he hopes the board finds a way to start controlling this proliferation.
“It’s really over the top in Osoyoos. Believe me it’s coming to a neighbourhood near you.”
Wells said perhaps it’s time for some consumer advocacy. He noted erecting these signs may not be the best way to attract customers.
Area D director Tom Siddon said they should write letters to property owners when signs start to clutter up intersections.
“We should write letters to Pattison Signs. We want this blight on the environment out of here.”
Director George Bush said he doesn’t agree with eliminating all of the signs, but without rules and regulations you can’t control them.
Director Karla Kozakevich said there are so many signs that, after a while, you don’t really see them because they all blend in with each other.
Bill Newell, the regional district’s chief administrative officer, said their bylaw does not apply to highway property, but does regulate signs on private property. He noted the regional district has been reluctant to enforce its sign bylaw in the past.