Zoning Bylaw Amendments — Electoral Areas ‘A’, ‘C’, ‘D’, ‘E’, ‘F’ and ‘H’
Agricultural Signage Provisions
Administrative Recommendation:
THAT Bylaw No. 2663, 2014, Electoral Area Zoning Amendment Bylaw be read a first and second time and proceed to a public hearing; AND THAT the holding of a public hearing in Oliver and Penticton be delegated to Chair Pendergraft, or delegate; AND THAT staff schedule the date, time, and place of the public hearing in consultation with Chair Pendergraft; AND THAT staff give notice of the public hearing in accordance with the requirements of the Local Government Act.
Proposal:
At its meeting of May 8, 2014, the Planning and Development (P&D) Committee of the Board reviewed a staff report on the Highway Signage Enforcement Project, with a chronology of events, public input received and a comparison of the other local government signage provisions. Proposed amendments to Regional District signage regulations were outlined. At present staff is in the enforcement process with identified private property signage violations and follow-up letters have been sent.
Background:
The Regional District’s Zoning Bylaws provide very basic signage regulations in Section 7.20 (Section 7.19 in Electoral Area ‘H’) that are very consistent throughout the region:
signage to advertise the sale of agricultural products, livestock or product grown, raised or produced on the farm …. are limited to one per parcel and must not exceed a total sign area of 3.0 m2 nor a height of 3 metres.
a “farm” is defined as an area of land, which may include more than one parcel, and its buildings used under one management for farm products” – each property included in the farm is permitted one sign
third party signs are not permitted
a “sign” is not defined, except in Electoral Areas ‘F’ and ‘H’ Zoning Bylaws
Issues identified with the Regional District’s farm signage provisions include no definition of a “sign” in most Okanagan Valley zoning bylaws, no provision for third party and fascia/building wall signs and limited free standing signage – number, size and height. In addition, the existing bylaws do not address the safety concerns of signs blocking visibility for vehicle traffic, notably on Highway 97.
Analysis:
Upon review of public consultation comments and of other local government agricultural signage bylaw provisions, a number of amendments are proposed to the Regional District’s signage provisions. The general approach is to provide more signage options farm properties including fascia signs as well as either 2 smaller or 1 larger freestanding sign. Other general amendments are for definitions and safety and apply to all signs, including clarification that the sign area permitted is for both sides of a sign.
For all signage provisions:
Definition of “sign” and “sign area” (copy permitted on both side of the sign). For Electoral Areas ‘F’ and ‘H’, it is proposed to amend the definition of “sign” and to also include sign structures; and
Restrictions on signage in the “site triangle” – important to add to the bylaws for traffic safety and would apply to all signage permitted.
For Agricultural Signage:
A new provision for fascia signs on building walls with a maximum combined sign area of 6.0m2
New provisions for agricultural properties, by providing a choice of either:
Two (2) freestanding signs, maximum area of 2.0m2 each and 3.0m high; or
One (1) freestanding sign, maximum area of 4.0m2 and 4.5m high.
There are no recommended changes to provide for third party signage at this time, due to concerns about further sign proliferation. Additional MoTI signage is available and a community based approach to signage may be developed to provide other opportunities to identify business areas.
The proposed amendments are intended for zoning bylaws for Electoral Areas ‘A’, ‘C’, ‘D’, ‘E’, ‘F’, and ‘H’ to ensure a consistent regulatory approach throughout the region.
As per the May 8 Board resolution, public meetings will be scheduled prior to the public hearings that are proposed to be held in Oliver and Penticton.