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im Defense OF PORTABLE SIGNS If the municipality follows through on a staff recommenda- tion regarding business signage, portable signs (often referred to as sandwich-boards or A- frames) could be a thing of the past in the main central core. The issue was raised last month at a BIA meeting, after township staff compiled an inventory of signs within the Main Central Area and surpris- ingly found that upwards of 80 per cent of the signs are illegal. What “illegal” means in this case is signs installed without the appropriate approvals or a sign permits. There are two issues to con- sider. First, permanent signs (those attached to the buildings or installed in the ground in front of a business, and second- ly, the portable (A-frame) signs. Most contentious of the two issues to the business commu- nity is the portable signs. Many merchants feel these small, port- able signs are essential to the survival of their businesses. The sole purpose of them is to inform the public of store specials, lunch menus, sales etc., but at the same time they add a certain charm and quaintness to the downtown. Removal of these “info” signs could seriously hurt many shop own- ers and would accomplish nothing, aside from sterilizing the quaint appearance of the street. It should also be noted that for some “off Queen St.” businesses these signs are the only means for attracting customers into their stores along Perry, North, Water and Casimir treets. One of the reasons suggested for their removal is to provide safe, unimpeded move- ment of pedestrians along the sidewalks. If this is the case, consideration must also be given to restricting placement of store mer- chandise in front of stores along the street, as well as garbage containers and bencl There is no tangible evidence that the “A frame” signs, or in fact any of the above mentioned items, are impeding pedestrians or creating a safety hazard on the street. The township already has a number of controls over signage, includ- ing size, location and appearance. If these controls are enforced there is 10 need to overreact and eliminate something that is so important to the health of the business community. Port Perry is about to be invaded by large box stores to the west of town, probably as early as this fall. The merchants have accepted that decision and will work hard to compete, but they need all the tools at their disposal to succeed and remain healthy. With all the uncertainty ahead, this is not the time to make our downtown stores weaker by taking away one of the tools they use to attract customers. ;: Focus on Scugog learned just before going to press that town- Ship bylaw officials would be presenting a revised recommendation to council suggesting the township allow the use of A-frame style signs on Queen and Water St. The change came about after a letter writing cam- paign from local business owners stating their concerns with eliminating signs in the main business core. The real sign problem The arrival of spring not only brings out the birds, squirrels and flowers, but traditionally it also launches a rash of “illegal” signage along roadsides, stapled to poles and taped to windows. It seems that every couple of years the issue of signs crops up. The issue being, what's legal and what's not. Over the past few weeks, dozens of wire framed plastic signs have sprung up like spring flowers around the township advertising painting serv- ices, basement leaks, window replacement, etc. Many signs, referred to as “utility pole signs” are found all over the township. And while these are perfectly legal, like all of Scugog’s signs they are also heavily regulated. landscape pat-738-3906 cations AN ‘ean! Leverton Dou Lan Laur website: www.focusonscugog.com For instance, did you know posters (a maximum of 8.5” x 14”) can’t be stapled, nailed or screwed on a pole. They may only be attached with tape. And if you place them any more than 2 metres from the ground... that’s illegal. It’s also against the by-law to attach them any earlier than seven days before an event, and conversely they must be removed within three days of the event. Signs attached to hydro poles may also fall under the restrictions of the utility company. Permission from the utility as well as the township may be necessary. There’s no easy answer to signs, so before installing, it would be wise to check the local bylaws before posting or installing a sign. FOCUS - MAY 2008 37