NEWS photo Neil Lucente Sunday. July 7, 1991 - North Shore News - 3 Businesses alk at proposed NVC sign bylaw Certain types banned with threat of heavy penalties A SIGN war may soon be raging on the streets of North Vancouver City if a controversial new sign bylaw is passed by city council. The proposed bylaw would limit the types of signs allowed in the municipality. But some criticize the proposed sign bylaw and question why the legislation is even being consid- ered. City businessman Hilton Shandier said the sign bylaw would ban several different types of signs and would impose heavy penalties on violators. By Surj Rattan News Reporter which will determine if the sign is acceptable,’’ said Shandler. ‘*‘Well, who is to say what is art?’’ He believes most small tusinesses in North Vancouver Ci- ty are unaware of the proposed sign bylaw. He fears it will pass without debate. But North Vancouver City Ald. 44 These signs add color to the community... Do they want to make the whole place sterile? 99 — Jay Mahony, owner of Jay’s Exotica talking about pro- hibiting a lot of signs such as sandwich-board signs,’’ said Hilton. **My concern is that these sigas are very importaat for a lot of smal! businesses. The proposed sign bytaw will change the area's character — this is a very unique area.”* He added the proposed legisla- tion also calls for fines of $2,000 a day for zach offence. “Ts that much of a heavy penal- ty something we need? To put up “They're Bill Bell said the sign bylaw weuid only affect new signs and tha: tne intent of the bylaw is to ‘‘give some sense of unification’ to the types of signs allowed to be put up in the city. As for the sandwich-board signs, Bell said the current sign bylaw already ouUlaws such signs. But several small businesses along Lonsdale Avenue have been open- ly displaying their sandwich-board signs on sidewalks fronting their businesses. PROVINCIAL WASTE management officer Kevin Johnston places a boom in a small stream located at the corner of 29th and Eastern in North Van to contain an oil spill. Johmston says close to 85% of his calls are related to storm drain spillages caused by residents who dump oils, have on thi: side of that restaurant paints, solvents into focal streams. at 13th aid Lonsdale, you will “The old bylaw banned certain types of signs, like sandwich- board signs. There's still a fot of a mural -ign, like the kind they THE FOLLOWING are highlights of the staff report for implementation of the task force’s housing strategy that was rejected by council on Tuesday. 1) Staff to identify suitable sites for assisted housing de- velopment on municipal land stock for 1992-93. Council would designate. 2) Staff to identify private land that might be acquired by the district for affordable housing where municipa$ land is not available. : 3) Staff to prepare specific recommendations on providing housing for ail income groups as part of the OCP review pro- cess. 4) Task Force to be reconvened each year to publicly review progress with council. 5) Staff to identify and propose lands that might be acquired for affordable housing with the 1991 Sundry, Land Acquisi- tions account. 6) Council to establish a Land Fund in the 1992 budget of not less than $500,000 to: a) acquire sites where municipal land is unavailable b) acquire sites to be leased for affordable housing. 7) Staff to prepare recommen- dations prior to the 1992 budget process on the wider use of land leases for the district's market and = non- market land development pro- gram, 8) Staff to incorporate into the review of the district’s Zoning Bylaw: a) requirements compatible with various forms of provin- cial and federal assisted hous- ing, e.g. seniors’ non-profit rental units b) requirements to facilitate innovative developments. 9) Staff to prepare draft mo- tions for council consideration for the September 1991 UBCM (Union of British Columbia Municipalities) Conference on changes to provincial legisla- tion regarding demolition of housing, and changes to the building code which are com- patibie with legalizing second- ary suites. These matters would also be raised formally at the Technical Advisory Committee of the GVRD. THE FOLLOWING are highlights of the Housing Strategy Task Force report ac- cepted by North Vancouver District Council in December. Strategies to retain existing rental housing: © restrict strata conversions ® seek power to legislate demo- litions * permit regulated secondary suites in owner-occupied homes * assist conversion of private rental housing to non-profit co-ops. Strategies to provide balanced housing stock serving all resi- dents: e establish annual targets © use district’s Assisted Hous- ing Site Inventory to meet target initially © initial annual target to be 150 units of seniors housing, 136 family, 24 singles ® plan new neighborhoods in- corporating all income groups in proportion to their present distribution in the district e identify areas where the in- crease of densities in a prudent manner would maintain char- acter and preserve social and economic profile. housing Strategies on land use: © optimum use principle to establish land values © greater emphasis on land leasing to retain a renewable asset © incorporate a range of den- sities in new neighborhoods to serve a variety of needs and in- comes © encourage affordable housing in commercial zones ¢ review large developments for possible inclusion of rental or market housing for seniors * educate as to the benefits of planned density increases « jnitiate small-lot seniors’ de- velopment using leased jand, higher densities and neighborhood design © explore zoning for small lot “eranny flats’’, duplexes and first have «> go before a board “*fourplexing’’ © reform standard system in coajunciion other municipalities. zoning with Strategies for a wider range of housing uses: establish a land fund ® introduce development cost charges to provide funds for affordable housing e use land fund on revolving basis to acquire land fur assisted projects. Strategies to be undertaken with others: © request increased provincial funding for non-profit housing © request provincial rent review process © adjust legislation to enable municipalities to finance, de- velop. construct, market and manage affordable housing © request retention and expan- sion of federal co-operative housing program e request Canadian Mortgage and Housing Corporation to make insurance and mortgages more accessible and flexible. Immediate strategies: © fast track district rental and social housiny proposals © reduce inter-governmental duplication © designate sites in Northlands for seniors and affordable fam- ily housing . . © initiate a specific seniors’ supportive housing project. them out there but that's only because we don’t actively enforce the bylaw on those signs unless someone complains,’’ said Bell. “This new bylaw will give us some direction.” But Jay Mahony, owner of Jay’s Exotica, 104 West 13th St., said he, like Shandler, doesn‘t like the proposed sign bylaw. But he is not worried about his sandwich- board sign because it is not on ci- ty property. “These signs add color to the community. It gives the communi- ty a small-town attitude,’’ said Mahony. ‘‘! think they’re trying to find something to do. Do they want to make the whole place sterile?” Mahony said he does not un- derstand why a new sign bylaw is needed. “I think the bylaw will rob the city of its atmosphere. I’m against. it. We don’t just want to sit around and watch cars go by on Lonsdale,"’ he said. The city plans to hold a public hearing on ire proposed sign bylaw on July 29. index @ High Profiles @ Comics @ Horoscopes BW Spiritually Speaking ..14 @ Travel 8 What's Going On.... Weather Monday and Tuesday. morning clouds. otherwise sunny. Highs 22°C. Second Class Registration Number 3885