Uniform Advertising Signage By-law and Program

Council gave Second Reading for the By-Law & Program on October 14, 2021, making a motion to adopt the documents. The By-Law became effective within the pilot area off Exit 6 on Highway 3 as of the date the ad appeared in the paper (April 27 2022). Owners of existing signs in the pilot area (shown in the map below) were previously contacted in 2021 regarding the upcoming By-law and Program. Owners of now-illegal signs have been notified a second time (this will be the first letter received if the signs have been erected since Fall 2021) by the Municipality via registered letter and have until June 30, 2022 to retrieve their sign(s) before it is removed and destroyed by staff. Staff want to provide sign owners with ample time and notice for the need for removal. The bylaw provides opportunity for tourism businesses within, and outside of the Municipality to display their business names and distance to travel to business. Applications will be accepted by the Municipality from owners that wish to advertise their tourism businesses on the uniform signage. Details on the program and application can be found on our website: https://chester.ca/uniform-signage-program or in person at 186 Central Street, Chester.

The by-law has been prepared to be applicable to all areas within the Municipality for future application assuming the program it well-received by the residents and business owners. This will include a similar by-law adoption process and will need again, need Council approval and public notice.

Council made a motion to approve First Reading of the draft by-law on July 22, 2021. This means that once public feedback is received, it will be moved to Second Reading and then adopted. There will be an AD in the local paper 14 days prior to Second Reading. Once adopted, the by-law will be effective within the pilot area of Exit 6. Owners of illegal signs will be notified by the Municipality via registered letter and will have 14 days to retrieve their sign before it is destroyed. Owners of existing signs in the pilot area (near Exit 6) were already contacted regarding the upcoming By-law and Program. We plan to reach out again in plenty of time for sign removal and awareness once the documents are in effect. The bylaw will provide opportunity for businesses within, and outside of the Municipality to display their business names. Applications will be accepted by the Municipality by owners that wish to advertise their businesses on the uniform signage. The by-law has been prepared to be applicable to all areas within the Municipality for future application assuming the program it well-received by the residents and business owners. This will include a similar by-law adoption process and will need again, need Council approval and public notice. The pilot program at exit 6, identified in the map is anticipated to be implemented in Spring of 2022.

The Draft Uniform Advertising Signage Bylaw was passed and approved by Council on July 25/2019 and has been forwarded to the Province for ministerial review. After the review is complete the bylaw will go back to Council for adoption. Once adopted, the bylaw will be effective within the pilot area of Exit 6. Owners of the existing advertising signage will have 30 days after the effective date to remove any signs located along the highway within the pilot area. The bylaw will provide opportunity for businesses within, and outside of the Municipality to display their business names. Applications will be accepted by the Municipality by owners that wish to advertise their businesses on the uniform signage. The bylaw has been prepared to be applicable to all areas within the Municipality for future application, keeping in mind the very different locations throughout.

Over the course of March of April of this year Municipal staff have met with several business and development associations in the Municipality. These meetings will continue into the coming months to ensure we reach as large of an audience as possible. Staff is also continuing to invite members of the public to submit their questions and comments on the proposed Uniform Advertising Signage By-law and Program - everything we hear will be carefully analyzed and contribute to a report to be taken to Municipal Council. Municipal staff will continue to update Voices and Choices and our Social Media platforms regarding FAQs, timelines, and any other matters related to this project.

At the Committee of the Whole Meeting of October 4, 2018, the Committee directed Municipal staff to develop a Uniform Advertising Signage By-law for the Municipality. The By-law is to be implemented along the Municipality's highways beginning with the areas along Highway 3 at Exit 6.

Municipal staff is now seeking input from the community and local businesses regarding the Draft Uniform Advertising Signage By-law and supporting Program.