Sign By-law Review

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Consultation has concluded

Pictures of Signage

Introduction

The Town’s Sign By-Law 2011-79 came into effect in January 1, 2012. Since then, the Town has not undertaken a major review and housekeeping amendment. As of the drafting of the report there have been 7 amendments to the By-Law along with 44 Sign Variances granted since the enactment of the By-law. Of the 44 Sign Variance applications, more than half have been in relation to commercial signage in the Highway Commercial – HC Zone. In 2017, 6 of the 8 Variance Applications were in relation to fascia signs for big box retailers.

A common best practice suggests that municipalities should undertake a review respecting the effectiveness of their regulations and practices on a regular basis. Since By-law 2011-79 has been in effect for 5 years, such a review is both timely and relevant. . The Town’s Sign By-law was not developed with consideration for the unique circumstances of big box commercial development. Further we note that the By-law does not reflect typical national and regional branding size standards therefore this forces many of Midland’s big box developers to apply for Sign Variances or Sign By-law Amendments to meet the needs of their commercial clients. Given the increasing prevalence of variances to the By-Law, a review should be conducted to determine how best to meet the needs of the Community.

Schedule

As per the September 18, 2019 Council approval, a new work schedule has been approved as follows. The task(s) in bold indicate the project's current progress.

Task 3 – Committee Review of Staff Report - September 2019

Task 4 – Draft By-Law & Public Meeting - Wednesday, December 11, 2019 December 18, 2019 (rescheduled due to weather)

Task 5 – Revisions to Draft By-law (if necessary) - December 2019/January 2020

Task 6 – Report & By-law to Council for adoption - January 2020

Introduction

The Town’s Sign By-Law 2011-79 came into effect in January 1, 2012. Since then, the Town has not undertaken a major review and housekeeping amendment. As of the drafting of the report there have been 7 amendments to the By-Law along with 44 Sign Variances granted since the enactment of the By-law. Of the 44 Sign Variance applications, more than half have been in relation to commercial signage in the Highway Commercial – HC Zone. In 2017, 6 of the 8 Variance Applications were in relation to fascia signs for big box retailers.

A common best practice suggests that municipalities should undertake a review respecting the effectiveness of their regulations and practices on a regular basis. Since By-law 2011-79 has been in effect for 5 years, such a review is both timely and relevant. . The Town’s Sign By-law was not developed with consideration for the unique circumstances of big box commercial development. Further we note that the By-law does not reflect typical national and regional branding size standards therefore this forces many of Midland’s big box developers to apply for Sign Variances or Sign By-law Amendments to meet the needs of their commercial clients. Given the increasing prevalence of variances to the By-Law, a review should be conducted to determine how best to meet the needs of the Community.

Schedule

As per the September 18, 2019 Council approval, a new work schedule has been approved as follows. The task(s) in bold indicate the project's current progress.

Task 3 – Committee Review of Staff Report - September 2019

Task 4 – Draft By-Law & Public Meeting - Wednesday, December 11, 2019 December 18, 2019 (rescheduled due to weather)

Task 5 – Revisions to Draft By-law (if necessary) - December 2019/January 2020

Task 6 – Report & By-law to Council for adoption - January 2020

CLOSED: This discussion has concluded.
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