Roadsign sign ban opposed
Entrepreneurs plan to tell county council the move could be a blow to county businesses
Banning roadside advertising as part of proposed changes to the county’s sign bylaw would deal a significant blow to local businesses, says one of several entrepreneurs who will share their concerns with councillors later this month.
The proposed amendments – which would not impact signs on private property – would cause a significant reduction in calls and traffic for products and services that could result in lost jobs, said Garnet Northey, president and owner of Spotlight Home and Lifestyle.
“They drive a significant amount of our business,” he said, estimating that he gets 15 per cent of his calls from roadside signs on public rightof-ways, while others he has spoken with say they drive as much as 70 per cent of their business.
The 156 signs that could be affected represent 40 to 50 local businesses, said Northey, who said he may have to lay off an apprentice from his Selwyn Township-based business if the amendments are approved. “That is the reality.”
On Nov. 15, councillors voted to extend a formal public consultation period until Jan. 5 with a staff report expected to come before council at its next meeting on Jan. 17 – when Northey will speak during a delegation.
He plans to ask councillors whether or not they support small business.
“That’s what we believe it comes down to,” said Northey, who will be on a list of delegates that includes Lakefield’s Kawartha Chamber of Commerce and Tourism.
The county has been working on the proposed changes to the bush country sign clauses in the existing bylaw for some time, said public works director Chris Bradley.
“For us, the idea is to get a universal bylaw out there,” he said, pointing out that he doesn’t believe the proposed changes would have a profound impact, but recognizes the concern. “We understand it is a contentious issue.”
The county addressed the issue after years of getting feedback from citizens who dislike for the proliferation of signs along rural roads in so-called bush country areas of Trent Lakes, North Kawartha and Havelock-Belmont-Methuen, for example.
No data has been offered to support those complaints, Northey said. “Government cannot make decisions based on anecdotal information.”
Northey, a Trent Lakes resident, also feels businesses abiding by the current bylaw are getting a bad rap from illegal signs nailed on trees on rural roads. “(The proposed changes) don’t do anything to touch the illegal activity in any shape or form.”
Bradley, however, pointed out that considerable time was spent in the fall removing all illegal and non-conforming signs from along county roads as part of a dedicated program.
Northey encouraged the county to do more with businesses to address illegal signs, thus aiding the law-abiding advertisers.
“They need to focus on collaboration moving forward,” he said. “That’s what we would rather spend out time doing.”
If the proposed changes are approved, signs can still be erected on private property, as long as they meet local local municipal requirements, Bradley reminded. Signs not conforming to the new bylaw would be removed by county staff.
Northey questioned the viability of erecting signs on private property in densely-forested areas. He also asked why landowners would take part, given his understanding that the Municipal Property Assessment Corporation could then change their designation to commercial.
Northey was under the impression that Trent Lakes intends to eliminate all signs. Bradley spoke with the municipality’s clerk to confirm that is not the case.
The president of the Peterborough and the Kawarthas Home Builders Association also questioned the impact on business of removing signs, when considering potential customers unaware of the possible changes to the bylaw may believe companies have gone out of business.
The signs are also important, Northey said, because they show which companies are local during a time, particularly in his industry, where more Greater Toronto Area businesses are expanding to the area to serve cottagers. Most customers want to support local companies, he said.
Another option as part of the proposed new bylaw would be business signs through the province’s Ontario Traffic Manual (brown and white signage along highways).
Northey contended that only tourism-related businesses would be considered, but Bradley confirmed that would not be the case.
Kiosks placed through Peterborough Economic Development programs – which have been approved by county councillors in principal – are another proposed option.
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, officials stated. 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.
Northey was also concerned about an image sent out by the county with a press release about extending the consultation period, noting that it does not represent the signs in question.
Bradley confirmed he was correct. The large sign on Lakehurst Road in Buckhorn that contains nearly two dozens ads from smaller businesses would not be affected.