City Council has approved a change to their Use of Public Lands Bylaw that will allow the Chamber of Commerce to build an electronic sign on public land. It will be located between the Centre 2000 parking lot and the Highway 43 bypass.
There has been a lot of opposition to the sign since the Chamber first brought their plans to the city. During Tuesday’s meeting some Councillors expressed concern about allowing signs for advertisement on public land. Approval was ultimately granted with a vote of 4 to 3 in favour.
Chamber CEO Dan Pearcy says he is pleased to see this part of the process concluded.
“It’s been a two and a half year process of moving forward, finding the right location, finding the right balance, and finding the right sign. We’re thrilled that council has decided to approve it and we can move forward with our project.”
Pearcy says the sign will be used to display emergency notices and to help promote their members.
“Generally, [it will be] advertising for our members and it will be owned by our members so they will have an opportunity to advertise their businesses on that, what events they might support, and those sorts of things.”
The sign is to be constructed near the sun dial but Pearcy says it won’t obstruct the roadside attraction. It should be purchased and placed in its approved location in three months time.