Bylaw seeks to regulate sidewalk signs

Municipality wants rules, insurance and fees to keep sidewalks clear of signs and merchandise

Trent Hills is proposing a bylaw that will regulate what signs and merchandise retailers can put on the sidewalk outside their store or business.

At its meeting on Tuesday, Feb. 25, Chief Building Official Stephen White urged council to support a bylaw that would require businesses to pay an annual $50 fee and maintain $5 million of liability insurance.

But some business owners say they can’t afford any fee or insurance, which could cost several thousand dollars a year, and believe the municipality should be helping them attract attention from passersby, not making it harder for them to survive.

“I will comply with whatever the town wants, but I can’t afford to pay just so I can put some mats and windsocks out to attract attention,” said Naveed Chico Khan, owner of Trent Hills Hardware, Gifts and Mercantile.

Chico said he operated stores for years in Toronto and Courtice and never had to pay a municipal fee or provide special insurance because he put out merchandise to catch the eye of potential customers.

He said his storefront will receive a makeover this spring once the weather warms up, but he knows attracting shoppers will remain a challenge even with a new sign and paint job.

The bylaw would restrict where businesses can place products and signs and ensure that they maintain 1.8 metres (5 feet 10 inches) of clear space.

Councillor Rick English said he had taken a tape measure and checked out the sidewalks in downtown Campbellford, noting that some are quite narrow.

White confirmed that the coloured concrete between the sidewalk and the roadway is included in the open space available.

White said the municipality doesn’t have a bylaw regulating the placement of merchandise or signs on the sidewalk and they can get blocked by displays, flowerpots, benches, and signs creating tripping hazards for pedestrians.

The proposed bylaw includes fines of $110 for any infraction such as blocking the vision of motorists, putting out signs or merchandise without a permit, or not having insurance. White said the municipality could refuse to issue an annual permit if a business had been convicted in the past.

Council referred the proposed bylaw to the Community Development Advisory Committee so it can seek comments from store owners and pedestrians. The committee is scheduled to meet on March 26.

One thing everyone is likely to agree on is how challenging the retail environment is in our downtowns. The signs and merchandise are a cry for attention and purchasers.

In my experience as a regular walker in downtown Campbellford, it’s rare that pedestrian crowding is a challenge, except at 9 a.m. outside Dooher’s Bakery on a long weekend.

---

You can read all Trent Hills News stories on the website here.