1. THAT staff be directed to prepare and bring back a proposed comprehensive Election Sign Bylaw for Council consideration; and

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1 so '~A ABBOTSFORD Report No. COR COUNCIL REPORT EXECUTIVE COMMITTEE Date: File No: To: From: Subject: March 27, Mayor and Council Magda Laljee, Manager, Bylaw Services Proposed Options - Election Sign Bylaw RECOMMENDATIONS 1. THAT staff be directed to prepare and bring back a proposed comprehensive Election Sign Bylaw for Council consideration; and 2. THAT Council provide direction to staff regarding its preferred option for election sign placement restrictions as listed below and described in Report No. COR : Option 1 - Not Permitting Signs on City Property (exception included) Option 2 - Permitting Election Signage on Designated Municipal Properties Option 3 - Modernized Status Quo of Current Regulations SUMMARY OF THE ISSUE The City's regulations regarding the placement, height and general provisions of election signs has been in place under the current Sign Bylaw since Since the inclusion of these provisions, over the past number of elections, including municipal, provincial and federal, the City received feedback from the public regarding a variety of issues including: the proliferation and visual unsightliness of signs, public safety concerns about obstructions, blocked sightlines, and other general hazards. City staff have also raised concerns pertaining to the placement of election signs which include: blocked/impeded walkways and sidewalks, inability to maintain boulevard areas, impeded access to fire hydrants, etc. BACKGROUND Election signs are currently regulated under the City's Sign Bylaw, 2001, Bylaw No The intention is to contain all election sign regulations in a new standalone Election Sign Bylaw and to remove all references included in the Sign Bylaw. The current regulations provide virtually unrestricted use of municipal property for the placement of election signage. The proposed general provisions and bylaw options outlined in this report align with provisions found in other municipalities, and address public safety and liability issues for the City of Abbotsford. DISCUSSION To address the concerns pertaining to election signs in the City of Abbotsford, staff conducted a thorough review of the bylaws of other jurisdictions on the matter. The review included jurisdictions such as: Burnaby, Chilliwack, Coquitlam, Delta, Kelowna, Langley, Maple Ridge,

2 Report No. COR Page 2 of 5 AMENDMENT Richmond and Vancouver. The proposed bylaw options address public safety concerns, as well as other provisions, including placement, height and general prohibitions of signs. A new Election Sign Bylaw would apply to all election signs including municipal, provincial and federal elections, as well as referenda, plebiscites, recall petitions, etc. General provisions of a new Election Sign Bylaw would include fine prov1s1ons for noncompliance with the bylaw as well as other items, including, but not limited to: Permitting signage on all private property without the requirement of a permit, from the official beginning of an election period (as defined in the proposed bylaw) until seven days after the election; Providing greater clarity in relation to the time period during which election signage may be erected for federal, provincial and municipal governments; Allowing longer advertising time for municipal elections (from the first day of the nomination period rather than one month before General Voting Day - approximately 46 days); Increasing the general height limitation for signage from 2.1 m to 2.45m to be consistent with the standard size of dimensional lumber - 8 FT = 2.45m; Preventing election signs that obstruct or otherwise interfere with sight lines or movement of motor vehicles, pedestrians, cyclists or any other Highway traffic; Preventing placement of election signs within 3m of a fire hydrant; Preventing unauthorized use of the City Logo, Trademark or Official Mark; Authorizing the City to remove signage that is placed in contravention of the bylaw; and Authorizing levying of fines through the City's bylaw adjudication process. It should be noted that voluntary compliance is the mandate of the Bylaw Services Division and that enforcement action will be the last resort. Further, past experience has shown that candidates generally respond quickly to any public safety or concerns about signage. In regards to restrictions on specific placement of signs staff provides three general alternative approaches to the current regulations as outlined below, for Council's consideration: Option 1 - Not Permitting Signs on City Property (exception included) This Option sets limitations on the placement of election signs on municipal property as well as the limitations on the placement of signage in an unsafe manner. This approach is consistent with other municipalities such as Burnaby, Coquitlam, Delta, Kelowna, Richmond and Vancouver. Provisions under this option include: Does not permit signage on any municipal property Except on municipal boulevards fronting residential properties, with the specific permission of the owner fronting that portion of the boulevard. Sample clause: (a) Placement on Public Property (i) A Person must not Place, or permit to be Placed, an Election Sign on:

3 Report No. COR Page 3 of 5 AMENDMENT A. a City Highway or Right of Way; B. a Boulevard, Centre Median or Sidewalk, or in a Park; C. any Roadway Structure or Traffic Control Device; D. a tree, bush, planter, waste or recycling receptacle, newspaper box, mail box, sign post, bridge or overpass structure, or in any garden; or E. any other City-owned property, including land, buildings, structures, and equipment; and (ii) as an exception to Subsection 4.(b)(i)B., election signs may be erected on a Boulevard immediately in front of a parcel used solely for residential purposes with the consent of the property owner, or the strata corporation in the case of a parcel containing strata lots. Option 2 - Permitting Election Signage on Designated Municipal Pro.perties This option includes the provisions of Option 1 and provides further opportunity for placement of election signs at designated locations in the City. This would provide additional exposure but also minimize the proliferation of elections signs. These locations would be determined through consultation with Engineering and Parks, Recreation and Culture staff to mitigate risk/liability to the City, to address public safety, and to alleviate concerns regarding ongoing boulevard maintenance. If Council is favourable to exploring this option, further investigation of potential election signage zones will be undertaken by staff, and a schedule outlining recommended areas, besides private property where election signs may be located, will be established and form part of the proposed bylaw for Council's consideration. A sample drawing outlining a proposed area, besides private property where election signs may be located is attached for information (Attachment "A"). Option 3 - Modernized Status Quo of Current Regulations Option 3 takes all the provisions as recommended in option 1 and permits election signage on all municipal property without a permit, except on a centre median or sidewalk or in a park. While this option represents a virtually unrestricted approach to using municipal property, it is possible that signage could be placed in a manner that is incompatible with the intended use of public property. Sample clause: (a) Placement on Public Property

4 :Report No. COR Page 4 of 5 AMENDMENT (i) A Person must not Place, or permit to be Placed, an Election Sign on: A. a Centre Median or Sidewalk, or in a Park; B. a Boulevard, immediately in front of a parcel used solely for residential purposes without the consent of the property owner, or the strata corporation in the case of a parcel containing strata lots. In addition to the above noted options for Council consideration, three other bylaws will be brought forward to Council for consideration: 1. an amendment bylaw to delete all references to political/election signs in the current Sign Bylaw, 2001; 2. fine provisions under the Bylaw Notice Enforcement Bylaw; and 3. fine provisions under the Municipal Ticket Information Bylaw. FINANCIAL PLAN IMPLICATION There are no financial implications associated with option 3 as this option supports a status quo approach and associated costs are accommodated in the current operating budgets of parks, transportation and bylaw services. Options 1 and 2 may provide some cost savings in terms of effective staff resource allocation. IMPACTS ON COUNCIL POLICIES, STRATEGIC PLAN AND/OR COUNCIL DIRECTION If Council directs a change to the status quo pertaining to the manner in which election signs are regulated in the City of Abbotsford, staff will develop public information materials outlining and illustrating the changes. This information would be made accessible to all candidates through the City website and included as part of the candidate information and nomination packages that are prepared and distributed in advance of civic elections.

5 Report No. COR Page 5 of 5 SUBSTANTIATION OF RECOMMENDATION While the City's regulations pertaining to the placement of election signs have remained the same for many years, the provisions are out-of-date and lack clarity. It is worth considering whether a change in the City's approach might be warranted. A modernized and updated bylaw regulating election signs in one document will greatly reduce confusion and inconsistency. ATTACHMENTS Attachment "A": Sample Drawing Election Signs - Permitted Areas

6 Sample Location: ROAD SIDE FROM TO