Sign bylaw.
The Town of Osoyoos is currently in the planning stages of drafting a new sign bylaw and is seeking input from interested persons and businesses in Osoyoos.
The Chamber of Commerce has sent a questionnaire to all its members and will forward the responses to the Town of Osoyoos.
Development Services Planning Associate Margaret Chadsey has been assigned the task of researching and drafting the sign regulation bylaw.
The intention of the proposed sign bylaw is to regulate signs within all areas of the town.
Chadsey explained that as part of her research, she has contacted several businesses and organiza-tions, including the Chamber of Commerce, Destination Osoyoos, sign companies, the Osoyoos Indian Band and the Ministry of Transportation.
The purpose of the research has been to find out which signs business owners feel serve them best, said Chadsey.
The Chamber of Commerce agreed to send out a questionnaire to all its members as one of the fastest and most accurate ways to get feedback.rnThe questionnaire asks for feedback on various types of signs, including sandwich board signs; rooftop signs; third party signs (eg. those which direct attention to a business or activity provided elsewhere than on the property on which the sign is located); posters; revolving, animated and flashing signs and illuminated signs.
Chadsey noted that it would be up to council to decide how the bylaw will be adopted, and added that she is still working on the issue of non-conformity with respect to existing signage.
There could be a provision in the bylaw that states signs may be required to conform over a period of time.rnChadsey said there is a need for this bylaw as the community con-tinues to grow.
As more people and businesses come here, there is more need for businesses to attract the attention of the consumer. And that will mean more, bigger and higher signs. The town is trying to avoid the situation other com-munities have faced, that of visual pollution. Some types of signs may even be prohibited.
The need for a sign bylaw came before council a couple of months ago. In October, council looked at an application for a signage permit for a building located at 8311 Main Street, next door to Shoppers Drug Mart.
At that time, at the request of town staff, the Advisory Design Panel reviewed the application and recommended council not approve the permit because it did not meet the facade guidelines due to its size and graphic design.
The panel also expressed concern about the lack of a specific sign bylaw within the town, stating it has been difficult to control the type and design of signs appearing in town. The panel further stated that they only have the opportunity to comment if the sign requires a building permit.
If anyone wants to find out more about this, they can contact me at the Town of Osoyoos. Questionnaires can be picked up at the Chamber of Commerce or at the town office, Chadsey said.
She said Development Services has been wanting to work on drafting a sign bylaw for a long time, as signage is included with every development applica-tion, and noted she would have her report to council prepared soon.
