A discussion about enforcing an outdated
sign bylaw turned tense as Mayor
Manfred Bauer called out councillor Jason
Wiebe for what he described as a “completely
inappropriate comment.”
A report outlining challenges of enforcing
the village’s current sign and canopy
bylaw and the need for an update was
brought to council Tuesday night.
During discussions, council heard that
the Ministry of Transportation discontinued
a pilot project it designed for the South
Okanagan with regards to roadside signage
restrictions and enforcement.
The pilot project was discontinued as
enforcement proved too cumbersome for
the ministry, council heard.
During the roundtable, Wiebe made
mention of his concern and frustration that
higher levels of government were not held
accountable for seeing projects through.
He made specific reference to the
Agriculture Land Reserve not enforcing
regulations about an established fruit stand
and restaurant that he thought was building
a hotel just outside of the village’s
boundaries.
“We have have been told the ALR can’t
do anything about it,” Wiebe said.
Mayor Bauer quickly asked that those
comments be clarified to not include council
as a whole and asked who he had heard
it from.
“We haven’t been told anything so I
don’t think it’s appropriate for you to talk
for all of council,” Bauer said.
Wiebe took ownership of his comments
about the development just outside
of Keremeos but declined to provide information
about how he had heard the ALR
was not following up on complaints.
He continued to vent about higher levels
of government not following through
on regulations.
“This is an issue. Things are not carried
through,” he said.
He suggested the village
write a letter to the Ministry of
Transportation about the pilot sign
enforcement project.
Bauer said Regional District
Okanagan-Similkameen, which
includes Keremeos, has already
sent a letter.
Following the council meeting,
Bauer still heated about Wiebe’s
comments asked to speak to the
Review to ensure it was understood
the new council member
was only speaking for himself and
not the rest of council.
Bauer said he had not heard of
any formal complaints being filed
to the Agriculture Land Reserve
about the development outside
of town and that he understood
the building would be a packing
house and include housing units
for farm workers.
“This was councillor Wiebe’s
personal opinion. The Mayor challenged
him and he wasn’t able
to provide answers of where he
heard it from,” he said.
“I’ve heard of no official complaints
(against the development)
or anything.”
Despite tense moments around
the table, council voted unanimously
to direct staff to review the
bylaw and while doing so to no
longer enforce any of the current restrictions
regarding signs in the village.
Staff will investigate and prepare a
report with recommendations about the
bylaw for council to vote on during an
upcoming council meeting.