Signs at Highway16 East and Geddes Road illegal

In the case of Highway signs, the message is clear.  Conform.

The dust has hardly settled on the highway road sign by-law  which was brought into effect late last fall by the Regional District of Fraser Fort George and there were two issues before the Board of Directors at today’s Board meeting.

The public hearing involved signs on Highway 16 East at Geddes Road.  According to the Regional District the signs, on either sid of the highway are  not meeting the rules about setbacks.  The owner of one of the properties asked for a variance permit. Specifically the applicant requested:

• A reduction in the setback from the front lot line along the highway from 7.5 metres to 1 metre 
• For each sign, a reduction in the setback from the eastern side lot line from 100 metres to 32.5 metres for one sign and from 100 metres to 77 metres for the second sign
• A reduction in the spacing between two signs over 2.9 square metres from 200 metres to 46 metres 

Although it was noted the signs are well constructed, Directors say the variance flies in the face of the by-law and asks the Regional District to  ignore the bylaw. They denied the variance, and called on the property owners at both sites to either remove the signs or make them conform.

A representative from Pattison Sign Group says it is his comany’s responsibility and it was an oversight on their part.  He says despite the fact they have already spent tens of thousands of dollars setting up the signs, they will make them conform within the 30 day time period allotted by the Regional District.