Amendments to Warman’s zoning bylaw were introduced at a Warman City Council meeting on Tuesday, October 12.
The amendments, aimed at regulating portable business signs throughout the city, were given first reading. They must still pass second and third readings at a future council meeting before they become law.
Temporary signs were first included in the city’s zoning bylaw in 2012. Current regulations specify the number of signs allowed per site, the amount of time a sign is able to be set up (30 days), the setback distance of the signs from sidewalks, and the requirements for applying for a temporary sign permit. They also prohibit signs from blocking sight lines for pedestrian and vehicle traffic.
Warman city administration brought forward the amendments after studying sign bylaws in Saskatoon, Prince Albert, Martensville, Melfort and Regina. It was determined that in all those centres, the intent of the regulations was similar to Warman’s.
And like Warman, enforcement of the regulations tended to be complaint-driven and therefore somewhat inconsistent.
In the summer of 2021, city administration received a number of complaints about freestanding signs. In response, letters were sent to businesses whose signs were not in compliance with the city’s bylaw. Most of the signs targeted for enforcement were along Central Street, where there is limited frontage for compliance with the setback limits specified in the current bylaw.
Pushback from the businesses receiving letters resulted in a review of the bylaw. The amendments introduced at the October 12 council meeting came out of that review, which included consultations with affected businesses and the Prairie Sky Chamber of Commerce (PSCC).
The signage issue is of greatest concern to businesses along Central Street, according to PSCC Executive Director Debbie Brown.
In a presentation to the October 12 Warman City Council meeting, Brown said freestanding signs are an important revenue-generator for businesses along the traditional business corridor.
“Clothing Obsession estimates 50 per cent of its business is generated as a result of its sign advertisements,” said Brown. “Passions also relies heavily on its sign. As an example, it advertised a pedicure special which generated an additional $10,500 in revenue that month. The signs have a huge impact.”
Brown recommended businesses along Central Street that currently utilize freestanding signs be ‘grandfathered’ into the bylaw.
Warman Mayor Gary Philipchuk said the amendments introduced at the October 12 meeting are designed to address the majority of concerns raised by businesses.
“For the most part, this will allow what is already there to stay,” said Philipchuk.
The amendments include a provision allowing businesses along Central Street to have a sign setback of one-half meter instead of a full meter from the sidewalk. Businesses that are the sole occupant of a site may also apply for annual sign permits instead of monthly permits.
Warman City Councillor Doug Ramage said different business corridors within the city have unique characteristics, and noted Central Street is designed to encourage more pedestrian traffic in much the same way as Broadway Avenue in Saskatoon does.
Warman City Councillor Marshall Seed said he supports the amendments to the bylaw because they allow businesses along Central to continue using the signs, but in a way that ensures safety for both vehicle and pedestrian safety. He added “continuing consultations” involving city council, city administration and the business community are essential.
Under the proposed bylaw, the city’s planning department would issue either monthly or annual sign permits to businesses. Signs that have a valid permit would be ‘tagged’ in an easily identifiable way, and the city’s bylaw enforcement officers will monitor the signs on a monthly basis to ensure compliance.