Sign Bylaw Update Open House

Signs are part of the landscape in any urban environment, and they can play a big role in the look and feel of a community. The City of Courtenay is updating its sign bylaw, and is giving the public a chance to review the proposed changes. Attend an Open House on Wednesday, June 19 from 6:00 to 7:30 pm at the Florence Filberg Centre Evergreen Lounge.

Peter Crawford, the City’s director of development services, said a lot has changed since the last sign bylaw was adopted in 1998. “Our existing bylaw doesn’t adequately address the types of requests we are receiving,” said Crawford. “There are new sign technologies, changes in the way commercial developments are built, and new design guidelines and environmental policies.”

City staff will be available at the open house to answer questions and collect input from the public.

“This is a chance for the public to have their say on the sign bylaw and on signage in general,” noted Crawford. “Tell us what types of signs you like or dislike, how you feel about the size and number of signs, or any other signage issue you would like to see addressed.”

At the open house, find out what changes the City is proposing, including a summary of comments received from previous consultation sessions. Businesses, community organizations, sign designers and manufacturers, and the school district have provided feedback on the proposed changes.

The current bylaw subjects every City business to the same regulations, regardless of building size, location, or type of business. The bylaw changes could include different regulations based on zoning, such as downtown, general commercial and industrial, and larger retail outlets.

Crawford advised the bylaw would reduce the need for applicants to request sign bylaw variances from Council. “Updated guidelines should cover the majority of sign application requests, and the rules and expectations will be clear for everyone,” he said.

For more information on the Sign Bylaw update process, call the City’s Development Services division at 250-334-4441 or visit www.courtenay.ca