8 - The Oakville Beaver, Wednesday February 18, 2009 www.oakvillebeaver.com Looking again at billboards The Town of Oakville is seeking public input at two public meetings scheduled for the last week of February on potential amendments to the Sign By-law regulating billboards. Meetings are in response to a recent Court of Appeal decision and will focus on visibility issues, restrictions regulating sign (billboard) locations, signage on major north-south roads and criteria for multiple signs on larger properties. In November 2008, a Court of Appeal decision found portions of Oakville's existing Sign By-law regulating billboards to be an infringement on the right to freedom of expression that could not be justified under the Charter. The court gave the Town six months to draft new restrictions that balance the Town's concerns with visual clutter and the safety and character of the community with the interests of commercial advertisers and freedom of expression rights. In December, Town Council directed staff to draft amendments to the bylaw and seek public input. The public meetings are scheduled at Town Hall for Monday, Feb. 23, from 2 to 4 p.m., in the Trafalgar Room, and Thursday, Feb. 26 from 7 to 9 p.m., in the Oakville Room. Anyone unable to attend may forward their input no later than March 2, 2009 by e-mail to signbylaw@oakville.ca or by mail to the Town Clerk, P.O. Box 310, 1225 Trafalgar Road, Oakville, ON L6J 5A6. All input received will be addressed in a final staff report to be presented to Council's Administrative Services Committee for consideration at its meeting on March 31. The Committee's recommendations will then be forwarded to Council for consideration on April 6, 2009. The Sign By-law is posted on the Town's website. Further information is available by contacting Phil Bouillon, Assistant Clerk at 905-845-6601, ext. 3093. Vision To be the most livable town in Canada March 7, 2009, 9:30-11:30 a.m. at Town Hall, 1225 Trafalgar Road Oakville residents are invited to participate in our 2009 economic environment. the meeting. environmentally sustainable. of topics including: TEMPORARY ROAD CLOSURE Kerr Street between Shepherd Road and Wyecroft Road February 20 at 10 p.m. to February 22 at 12 p.m. February 22 at 12 p.m. If you have questions or concerns, please contact: PUBLIC MEETINGS Monday, February 23, 2009, 2 4 p.m., Trafalgar Room, Town Hall Thursday, February 26, 2009, 7 9 p.m., Oakville Room, Town Hall Sign By-law - Advertising (Billboard) Provisions To address a recent court decision, two (2) public information meetings as noted above have been scheduled to receive input on potential amendments to the Town of Oakville Sign By-law relating to locations and criteria permitting advertising signs (billboards). Potential amendments shall address the overall requirements of satisfying visibility issues as well as the number of signs permitted, and shall focus on: All input received will be addressed in a final staff report to March 31, 2009, at 7 p.m., Town Hall, 1225 Trafalgar Road Anyone unable to attend these meetings may forward their input no later than March 2, 2009 by email to meetings. Further information is available at www.oakville.ca, or ext. 3093. Visit www.oakville.ca and participate in our online website survey.