A proposed sign near a busy intersection in Orillia has sparked concerns from a local business owner and members of the city’s committee of adjustment.
During its meeting Wednesday, the committee discussed a request from Action Media for a sign bylaw variance. The company wants to erect a digital billboard sign on the property of the plaza at 117-121 Atherley Rd., at the intersection with Gill Street.
Bob Brown, of nearby Thor Motors, was the only person at the meeting who spoke out against the plan.
Lamenting the amount of “visual pollution” in town, Brown also said he has “a lot of concerns about that intersection.”
“You take your life in your hands” when crossing the intersection, he said, suggesting the billboard would be a further distraction for drivers.
Kevin Boyes, of Action Media, was surprised to learn of Brown’s objections. He said he had left messages with Thor Motors more than once and hadn’t heard back.
“I assumed he didn’t have any concerns,” Boyes said.
Committee chair Joe Fecht shared Brown’s reservations.
“My concern is it’s a very big sign and it will attract your attention, and that’s not what that intersection needs,” he said.
That’s the point of the sign, though, Boyes said, adding he doubts it will be a distraction to drivers stopped at a red light.
“The sign faces will be quite high up off the ground,” he said. “We’ve never had a case where someone’s missed a red light because they’re staring at a billboard.”
The sign will be high enough, but “it’s an awfully busy intersection,” said committee member Richard Bates, who also expressed concern about so-called visual pollution.
“It’s starting to look like Times Square, that area,” he said.
Fecht asked Boyes if the billboard could be moved elsewhere on the property, farther from the intersection.
“For us, that’s the ideal position,” Boyes said.
The matter was deferred to a future committee meeting. In the meantime, Boyes will meet again with city staff and the property owner to look at their options.
