The owners of Don-O-Ray Farms apologized to council on Monday (Nov. 4) for not following proper procedures when installing an illuminated sign on their Benvoulin Road property.
Council learned that electronic signs are not permitted in the Agricultural Land Reserve (ALR).
鈥淭he only place that we allow electronic signs under the current sign bylaw is at institutional and educational facilities,鈥� said Dean Strachan, community and planning development manager.
He explained that approving the applicant鈥檚 request for a site-specific bylaw amendment to allow the sign would set a precedent and likely encourage other applications for electronic signs in areas where they are not allowed.
Don-O-Ray Farms replaced a permitted existing sign with the illuminated version. One of the owners, Jas Singhera, told council they had contracted a sign company that was new to 琉璃神社.
鈥淚 guess we didn鈥檛 know the rules, and we apologize for that,鈥� Singhera told council. 鈥淚n the future, if we do something like this, the first thing we are going to do is come see staff and do it the right way.鈥�
The sign is also larger than allowed under the bylaw. Strachan noted the company should have consulted with staff about the type of signage permitted within the city and obtained a building permit.
鈥淲e had an interaction after the sign was installed,鈥� he added. 鈥淲e provided a copy of the sign bylaw so they are more aware of the rules and regulations鈥� and I haven鈥檛 had any further issues.鈥�
Strachan said there have been no complaints from residents in the area, but several businesses have lodged complaints in the past when trying to obtain electronic signs.
Singhera pointed out that the sign is not animated or flashing and only operates between 8 a.m. and 8 p.m. from May to December. He requested that his application be sent to a public hearing. Councillor Mohini Singh made a motion for a public hearing.
鈥淲e鈥檙e reviewing a sign application where the signs are three times the size,鈥� she said, referring to a request from Sutton Hotels to vary its signage for a development at the airport (public hearing Nov. 5). 鈥淪taff is supporting it鈥ometimes we have to take each case based on its own merit.鈥�
Several councillors disagreed noting that the sign company and applicant should have been aware of the rules, and permitting the sign would set a precedent.
鈥淭his issue is far, far bigger than is being presented to us,鈥� Councillor Luke Stack said, reiterating that electronic signs are not allowed in the ALR. 鈥淚t completely undermines our sign policy as a city.鈥�
Singh鈥檚 motion for a public hearing was defeated. Don-O-Ray Farms now must ensure its sign complies with the bylaw. Mayor Tom Dyas said the city does not want to put the owners in a position where they have to take down the sign.
鈥淲hich is an expense to them. We鈥檙e trying to support agriculture, we鈥檙e trying to support business. Is there a way we can work through this?鈥� he said.
The mayor added that the sign bylaw would also be reviewed.
鈥淎nd see whether there鈥檚 the possibility of allowing this to be conforming at all, maybe along certain corridors.鈥�
