ST. PAUL – During a regular council meeting held on Aug. 12, Town of St. Paul council approved the first reading for a Land Use Bylaw amendment request from a developer that would allow the use of electronic signs within an Institutional District.
A public hearing will take place on Sept. 9 to gather input from the public. The developer’s identification has been redacted until the public hearing.
Aline Brousseau, Director of Planning and Legislative Services, told council that while the developer has two specific properties in mind they would like to develop, which led to the LUB amendment request, if passed, the amendment would also apply to the rest of the Institutional District.
According to Brousseau, the Institutional zone includes the RCMP detachment, the Ag Corral, the museum, Clancy Richard Arena, Portage College, St. Therese Health Centre, Tribal Chiefs, Senior Citizen Centre, St. Paul Abilities Network, and more.
This means, that if approved, any property owners within the Institutional zoning would be allowed to install electronic signs if they meet the regulations.
A letter attached to the agenda indicates that the developer who made the LUB request aims to update the LUB “in a manner which reflects similar changes already made, and being made, by many other municipalities across the province.”
The letter argues the text amendment will accommodate the “evolving” communication needs of institutions like schools, “but also to recognize advancements in digital signage technology.”
The letter further states that updating the LUB will enhance communication effectively and safely without negatively impacting surrounding properties.
Brousseau reminded council that there are areas where electronic signs may cause concerns but many of those areas are already addressed within the LUB. This includes regulations such as all electronic message displays must have a dimming feature that adapts to ambient light level; electronic signs must not directly face a residential district; and a sign that contains an electronic message display located within 30 metres of a residential district’s lot line must not operate between 11 p.m. and 6 a.m.
Coun. Brad Eamon asked if it is possible to approve the two properties that the developer has in mind to have permitted use of electronic signs but keep the rest of the Institutional District as discretionary.
Mayor Maureen Millers also asked if it was possible for council to amend the original request to discretionary use rather than permitted, after the public hearing is held on Sept. 9.
Brousseau said if council wanted to proceed that way, council would have to either approve or deny the developer’s request in the second or third reading.
CAO Steven Jefferey asked if that meant council did not have an option to amend the bylaw at second or third reading.
“My understanding... is that when a developer applies and pays a fee, you have to stick to their request,” said Brousseau. “Of course, council can certainly amend it, but I would suggest amending it in a different bylaw,” just to make the process cleaner.
