Staff Report: TEMPORARY SIGN PERMIT 2015/03 – CRAIGFLOWER MANOR

TOWN OF VIEW ROYAL COUNCIL REPORT

TO: Council DATE: March 12, 2015 FROM: James Davison MCIP RPP, Planner MEETING DATE: March 17, 2015 FILE NO: 2015/03

TEMPORARY SIGN PERMIT 2015/03 – CRAIGFLOWER MANOR

RECOMMENDATION

THAT Council not approve Temporary Sign Permit 2015/03 for the posting of signs advertising the Highland Games & Celtic Festival at Topaz Park on May 17-18th, renewed yearly.

CHIEF ADMINISTRATIVE OFFICER’S COMMENTS

I concur with the recommendation.

DIRECTOR OF DEVELOPMENT SERVICES’ COMMENTS

I concur with the recommendation.

PURPOSE OF REPORT

To present Council with a Temporary Sign Permit to permit the posting of two signs (4ft x 8ft and 8ft x 8ft)) for the purpose of advertising the Victoria Highland Games and Celtic Festival on the Craigflower Manor property. The signs are proposed to be posted for the period of two months before the event, which takes place on May 17 & 18th at Topaz Park on Blanshard Street in the City of Victoria.

BACKGROUND

The signs are advertising the Victoria Highland Games and Celtic Festival. The applicant notes that the Victoria Highland Games and Celtic Festival is a non-profit organization and that the event promotes Craigflower Manor. Staff notes that there is an endorsement from Richard Linzey of the Heritage Branch attached to the report, indicating that practices occur on the Craigflower Manor grounds in advance of the event.

ISSUES AND ANALYSIS

These signs are third party advertising signs, advertising for an event which takes place off-site and, in this case, outside the Town of View Royal’s borders, at Topaz Park on Blanshard St.

Land Use Bylaw 1990, No. 35 (under which signs are regulated) does not permit third party advertising signs. It is noted that the sign regulations within the Land Use Bylaw can be superseded by Council through the Temporary Sign Permit process.

Sign size is an issue. The 8ft x 8ft sign is larger than the standard 4ft x 8ft sign which staff is working towards as the regulation for standard temporary commercial real estate sign. The larger 8ft x 8ft sign is proposed to be located facing Island Highway, while the smaller 4ft x 8ft sign is proposed to face Admirals Rd. Staff feels that the 8ft x 8ft sign is too large, especially for its proposed location.

The proposed signs are inexpensive (listed at $200 each) and as such it would not be a significant hardship for the association to change a sign if necessary.

The Highland Games and Celtic Festival is a very important and well regarded regional cultural event which generates significant economic benefit and exposure for many local agencies, businesses, groups and initiatives.

The concern is with the aesthetics on the Craigflower Manor site itself. It is of a significant regional interest, and staff is concerned that signs being posted on that property may reduce the visibility of the building and grounds in favour of advertising. While the Highland Games event may promote Craigflower Manor, staff feels that the signs in turn detract from it for two months of the year.

The recommendation is to deny the application. In light of the Land Use Bylaw not permitting third party advertising the excessive size of the sign, and the location, staff recommends that one of the alternatives listed below may be considered should Council wish to approve temporary signs for the property.

ALTERNATE RECOMMENDATION

• That two 4ft x 8ft signs be posted on the property instead of one 4ft x 8ft and one 8ft x 8ft
• That only one 4ft x 8ft sign be posted on the property
• That the period for the sign permit be reduced to one month before the event.

RECOMMENDATION

THAT Council not approve Temporary Sign Permit 2015/03 for the posting of signs advertising the Highland Games & Celtic Festival at Topaz Park on May 17-18th, renewed yearly.

SUBMITTED BY

James Davison MCIP RPP, Planner

REVIEWED BY

Lindsay Chase, MCIP RPP, Director of Development Services

ATTACHMENTS

1. Subject Property Map
2. Sign Plan
3. Sign Location
4. Email from Heritage Branch