Too big, too many?

City council will be asked Monday to accept a report from the city’s engineering and planning department which addresses development of a new sign by-law.

A signs by-law task force, consisting of city councillors and staff, along with a consultant experienced in developing sign by-laws, have been working on the issue.

Municipal sign by-laws state where signs can be located, types of signs permitted, the number, size, and height of signs, other characteristics of signs considered important to the public interest, as well as administrative and by-law enforcement details.

A lengthy report for council shows the Sault’s sign by-law, though recently amended to include digital signs, is inconsistent and outdated, stemming from the 1970s.

“The shortcomings of the City’s current Sign By-law increases the likelihood that signs in Sault Ste. Marie will be too big, too many and inappropriately located due to the absence of suitable and necessary regulations,” the report states.

It shows feedback gathered in 2014 from stakeholders such as the Downtown Association, Tourism Sault Ste. Marie, the Chamber of Commerce, sign companies and the public, is largely negative.

The business community said there is a need for new sign rules that improve the appearance of commercial areas and streets in Sault Ste. Marie.

While a public open house in April 2014 was poorly attended, an online public survey showed there are concerns with distraction and safety issues related to digital signs (such as digital signs being too close to roadways and blocking the view of motorists), the number of portable signs, the size, design and overall appearance of many signs, no-longer-used signs which remain in place, or the presence of too many signs in general.

The report examines what is considered good and bad signage based on studies of signage in other Ontario communities, such as North Bay, Thunder Bay, Timmins and Sudbury, as well as the Michigan communities of Traverse City and Petoskey.

The report states signs should make a positive contribution to the community through good design and materials and not create a cluttered streetscape.

Council will be asked to invite more public input on the matter in April, through contacting stakeholders, placing ads, and posting the report on the city’s website.

It is hoped a second round of public input will lead to a new draft sign by-law being presented to council for approval in June.