January 16, 2012

Mayor Gregor Robertson,
Members of City Council
City of Vancouver
453 West 12th Avenue
Vancouver, BC V5Y 1V4

Re: Motion on Notice – BC Place Digital Signs
Dear Mayor Roberson & Members of Council,

I am writing on behalf of the Vancouver Public Space Network (VPSN) to offer our support for Councillor Geoff Meggs’ motion on BC Place outdoor signage.

We are concerned both about the material aspects (size and functioning) of these signs, as well as the process through which they were installed. We are encouraged that Councillor Meggs is proposing that the City request “a clear action plan by PavCo to bring the signs into compliance with City standards and processes.”

Of particular concern to the VPSN are:

• The size of the signs (many times larger than would be allowed under the City’s Sign Bylaw),
• Their luminosity (in particular their nighttime impact on both residents and drivers);
• The visual impact of the signs themselves (particularly with the western-most sign which overshadows the recently renewed Terry Fox Memorial; and
• The lack of any reasonable public process connected with the installation of the signs.

On this latter note, we understand that the fact that the Stadium site on which the signs were installed is owned by PavCo, a Provincial crown corporation. We further understand that this may have jurisdictional (or extrajurisdictonal) implications in terms of the application of the City’s Sign Bylaw.

Nevertheless, we feel that the present motion is the appropriate approach to take. It provides a more substantive follow-up to the Mayor’s earlier correspondence with PavCo and allows them a further opportunity to properly resolve this issue in the spirit of good neighborly relations.

At the same time, we encourage the City to be clear about what they feel “bringing the signs into compliance” might mean. There is some latitude for allowing variances to the Sign bylaw. We feel that it would be helpful (and in the public interest) for the City to declare its desired outcome – or opportunities for negotiations – beyond the request for adherence to the municipal Sign Bylaw.

Thank you for allowing us the opportunity to comment on this matter. Should you have any questions or comments about our letter, please do not hesitate to contact me at your convenience.

Yours truly,

Alissa Sadler
Vice-Chair
Vancouver Public Space Network
Box 2759, Station Terminal, 349 W. Georgia
Vancouver, BC, V6B 3X2 | vpsn.ca | @vpsn

One of the new PavCo digital billboards. January 2012.

The new digital billboards installed around BC Place Stadium have been causing no end of headaches for nearby residents. The billboards are enormous – many times the size that would be allowed under the City’s Sign Bylaw – and they’re very bright. So bright, in fact, that one resident nearby told us that at 2:00am he can now read in his bedroom without any additional bedside lights whatsoever.

The signs were installed by PavCo, a Provincial Crown Corporation of the Ministry of Jobs, Tourism and Innovation, following the renovation of the stadium. PavCo replaced a set of older, smaller digital billboards in roughly the same location – plunking the new ones down, it would seem, with nary a whit of forewarning or consultation.

The previous digital billboards – pre-renovation. April 2008.

Needless to say, people living nearby – particularly on the west side of the stadium – have been trying to get the billboards removed for some time. They’ve even started a blog on the subject, documenting the challenges they’ve encountered.

The City is also irked by the gargantuan signage. The Mayor wrote a letter to Minister Pat Bell, but it appears not to have resulted in much change.

Unfortunately for the City, the fact that these signs are located on a provincially-owned property means there’s a bit of jurisdictional conundrum. From a legal perspective, it doesn’t appear that the City can enforce the provisions of the municipal Sign Bylaw as a means to reign in the nuisance factor. That being said, it can, and has, asked PavCo to act in the spirit of good neighbourly relations and respect the provisions of the Bylaw. (It’s worth noting that it’s not clear if the intent of the City’s initial request was to encourage PavCo to reduce the size of the signs, remove them all together, or simply to eliminate the increased nuisance that comes from the brightness of the signs at night. We hope it was more than just the latter).

In any event, the issue of the PavCo signs is to be considered at City Council next week. Councillor Geoff Meggs has put a motion on notice that will be considered on Tuesday, January 17 @ 9:30am. The motion asks for “a clear action plan by PAVCO to bring the signs into compliance with City standards.”

If you’ve got a position on this issue we encourage you to make your voice heard by emailing geoff.meggs [at] vancouver.ca and mayorandcouncil [at] vancouver.ca. The motion will likely be referred to one of Council’s Standing Committees later in the week. If this happens members of the public will also be able to make a short presentation in person (5 minutes).

Here’s the motion from Councillor Meggs:

BC Place Stadium Digital Signs
MOVER: Councillor Geoff Meggs
SECONDER:
WHEREAS

1. residents around BC Place Stadium continue to report significant negative impact from the installation of large digital signs at three locations around the stadium;

2. these signs were not installed with advance public consultation and public input, as would have been required on a similar project under City jurisdiction;

3. efforts by Mayor Robertson to resolve public concerns through correspondence with Minister Pat Bell have not produced results;

4. claims by PAVCO that they have mitigated the impact and reduced brilliance and intrusiveness of the lighting have not produced the improvements sought by residents.

THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED THAT Council direct the City Manager to advise PAVCO that the City requires a clear action plan by PAVCO to bring the signs into compliance with City standards and processes, failing which the City will seek further remedies to reduce neighbourhood impact.