The regional district’s Planning and Development Committee met on September 15 to discuss signage bylaws in the regional district.
A single complaint about signage in the Osoyoos area last year prompted the discussion. The committee asked the board to investigate a signage bylaw through a resolution last July.
Staff investigated the complaint and researched the possibility of drafting new signage regulations. They came to the conclusion that a new signage bylaw was not necessary at this time, citing the fact that only one complaint over signage had been received in the past 10 years. The RDOS does have signage regulations currently incorporated into the zoning bylaws, staff also reported to the committee.
West Bench Director Michael Brydon commented that he “sensed a lot of complaints” noting that the West Bench corner was particularly cluttered with signage. He asked what could be done about the proliferation of small, unprofessional signage.
“We would have to cooridinate efforts with the Ministry of Transportation and Infrastructure,” Bylaw Enforcement Coordinator Roza Aylwin told the board, “and see what they would do.”
Area “B” Director George Hanson told the committee that his community was littered with junk signs.
“Highways don’t want to do anything about it until the RDOS has a bylaw they will enforce,” he said.
“It’s time for us to develop some standards, take back the beauty of the area.”
Osoyoos Director Stu Wells also spoke of signage proliferating in the Oliver-Osoyoos area. He suggested inviting the highways official responsible for signage to speak to the committee.
“Our signs are disastrous - it’s time to come up with some hard and fast rules. I support a motion to gather more information and move forward on this,” declared Kermeos Director Walter Despot, sentiments also echoed by Area “G” Director Elef Christensen.
“The signage is so bad as you approach Keremeos from the west, that you can’t see the businesses,” he commented.
Other directors also felt that more information was needed before further discussions could ensue, with Director Wells noting that the committee had dealt with the issue two or three times in the past.
A motion from the board to direct administration to investigate and bring forward a comphrehensive signage plan carried unanimously by the board.