“The reality is that the restrictions of distancing from other signs, coupled with the terms of the existing bylaw, would not allow for new digital signs,” OMAC president Roseanne Caron wrote in an e-mail. “This is an incredible dodge,” responds Gorbould, adding, “this is a thin edge of the wedge situation.” “What they mean is that, given the number and placement of existing billboards, it would be difficult to find new locations for billboards,” Gorbould wrote in an email. “However, the industry doesn’t want to keep using all their old, less lucrative billboards and add digital signs. Ideally, they’d like to go all digital.” Gorbould cites an example on this week’s council agenda: CBS Outdoor wants to erect a giant electronic sign at 486 Evans Ave., next to the Gardiner Expressway, in exchange for removing four older billboards. Staff have recommended denying the request because of the proposed sign’s height, lack of compatibility with the area, and the city’s policy against signs within 400 metres of a highway. Gorbould agrees that with Toronto’s proposed strategy the city could actually end up with fewer signs. It already has 4,000 “third-party signs” — owned by advertising companies — or one for every 623 residents. Only 47 of the city’s 4,000 third-party signs are electronic billboards. “By square footage of billboard clutter, this seems like a win. But in terms of intrusiveness, light pollution, oppressiveness, being impossible to ignore — plus the safety issue — I think it would be a huge loss."
Posted on: Mon, 07 Oct 2013 19:48:01 +0000
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