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We don’t blame property owners for raising the alarm about the regional district’s sudden enforcement of sign regulations.
Letters have gone out to landowners stating they must comply with the bylaw or their signs will be removed. (You’re only allowed one sign advertising your own business. Third party signs are not permitted.)
Our question is why the regional district waited this long to enforce the rules before the sign proliferation began. Reportedly, the district has gone through this process before but it’s coming back to haunt them again.
There is no doubt that signage is a great way to advertise a business, leading to economic activity in the community. It’s also great for tourism.
But too many signs can be a blight on the environment; just look at Kelowna, for example.
We have become so accustomed to signage that it slowly clouds our perspective on beauty. All too often we see signs obscuring trees, rivers, lakes, etc. But we accept it as the norm.
Signs can also be very distracting to drivers because it only takes one “look” to get into an accident.
The regional district is currently focusing its enforcement on properties along Highway 97 south of Oliver. Have at it, but there will be some unhappy landowners to contend with.
But what about all of the huge, distracting billboards north of town near Senkulmen Business Park? These are the signs that the district should focus on, but we are told this is federal jurisdiction, so it’s hands off there.
Change is hard to swallow, especially when government is dictating what you can do on your own property. But if we don’t do something now, the landscape will be obliterated by signage.
We want to live in an aesthetic community where you can visually appreciate the environment. We don’t need more outdoor advertising; we get enough advertising on the radio and television.
Lyonel Doherty
Editor
