County looks to change sign by law

Cluttered road side signsare ‘not visually appealing’

Peterborough County wants to change the way businesses advertise in rural areas.

The county is looking for the public’s input on the signs, which it points out are seen along county roads in Trent Lakes, North Kawartha and HavelockBelmont-Methuen, among other areas.

The rural signs often hold smaller signs from area businesses, advertising goods and services.

The overall effect, the county states in a release, is “not visually appealing in these natural areas.”

A proposed bylaw would make these signs illegal and they would be removed by county staff.

Signs on private properties would not be affected.

County council extended its public consultation period at its meeting Wednesday.

The proposed new bylaw would make new options available to local businesses, including signs on private property (subject to municipal regulation), business signs through the province’s Ontario Traffic Manual (brown and white signage along highways) and kiosks placed through Peterborough Economic Development programs.

This would come through a new Tourism Wayfinding Toolkit developed through the city, the county and its eight townships, Curve Lake First Nation and Peterborough and the Kawarthas Economic Development.

The next phase of the project would see the kiosks set up with maps, tourism highlights, local business listings and ads. They would be located at parking lots, along cycling routes and at gas stations and other public spaces.

The county is looking for public input on the change. Written submissions can be sent to pwinfo@ptbocounty.ca or by mail to Bush Country Sign Consultation, County of Peterborough, County Court House, 470 Water St., Peterborough, K9H 3M3.

Submissions must be in by Jan. 5 at 2 p.m.