By Sam Borsato - @BorsatoSam on Twitter

Portable Signs Bylaw Decision Halted for Further Review

Apr 18, 2016 | 9:41 PM

LETHBRIDGE – After a nearly three hour long public hearing, Lethbridge City Council decided to put off a decision on the Portable Signs Bylaw just a little longer.

Suggestions from the Municipal Planning Commission (MPC) would build upon the bylaw currently in place. The goal is to reduce driver distractions by placing a number of limits on certain portable signs.

The major changes could include new digital display controls, restricting which intersections signs can be placed near and how fines and non-compliance are dealt with.

The draft bylaw can be viewed on the April 18 council agenda available on the city’s website.

However, several letters from businesses owners, many of which were car dealerships, submitted letters and made presentations during the hearing outlining their concerns.

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They said areas in the draft that highlight where signs can be placed and what kinds of requirements displays must meet, could have a negative impact on business and asked for them to be revised. Those letters can also be found in the agenda.

“I do feel for my colleagues on the MPC. They’ve been dealing with this issue for two years… We talked a lot about digital, fascia and fence signs. We heard about every kind of sign! So, I think we better take a couple weeks to get it straight in our heads what we’re deciding on,” noted Councillor Jeff Carlson, who moved to postpone.

Carlson added that there were numerous new documents given to council, and these next two weeks will give them time to really go over and understand all of the information presented.

This bylaw and coordinating amendments to the Land Use Bylaw will come before council again on May 2 for a possible final vote.