DocumentsBylawOct 5, 2020Pages 179–180
BYLAW NO. 1934 - Sign Bylaw Amendment Number 3, No. 1934, 2020
Bylaw No.1934 proposing amendments to the City's Sign Bylaw, presented for readings.
Key facts
- Bylaw No.1934
- Subject: Sign Bylaw amendments
- Agenda: First, Second and Third Readings (item 12.h)
BYLAW NO. 1934 - Sign Bylaw Amendment Number 3, No. 1934, 2020
2nd Floor · 877 Goldstream Avenue · Langford, BC Canada · V9B 2X8
T · 250-478-7882 F · 250-478-7864
Staff Report to Council
Date: October 5, 2020
Department: Legislative Services
Subject: Various Bylaw Housekeeping Matters
Background
The intent of this report is to make housekeeping changes to address discrepancies found in past bylaws. Specifically, there is an inconsistency between the Sign Bylaw and the Election Bylaw. Further, a past road closure bylaw was adopted without simultaneously repealing an erroneous road closure bylaw.
The Sign Bylaw contains a provision which requires that political signs must be removed within seven days (7) following an election or referendum to which they pertain and a prohibition on placing signs on public property. In contrast, the Election Bylaw requires that political signs be removed within 72 hours following an election or referendum and no prohibition on placing signs on public property. The City’s practice is to allow sign on public property provided it does not obstruct or interfere with traffic, either vehicular or pedestrian.
On June 8, 2017, Council adopted “Road Closure Bylaw No. 1704 (Spencer Road), 2017” (the Bylaw 1704”). After the 2017 Bylaw was adopted, it was determined that a portion of the road being closed was vested in the Province. Subsequently the plan was revised and a new bylaw, “Spencer Road Closure Bylaw No. 1807” (the “Bylaw 1807”) was adopted on September 25, 2018, closing those portions of road vested in the City. Through inadvertence, Bylaw 1807 did not include a provision to repeal Bylaw 1704.
Commentary
Sign Bylaw
A Bylaw may only be amended by Bylaw. Currently there are conflicts between the political sign provisions in the Sign Bylaw and the Elections Bylaw. In order to ensure there is no uncertainty with respect to when political signs must be removed or where they may be placed, staff recommends removing the provision from Sign Bylaw respecting political signs.
This Bylaw is to ensure there is not a conflict between the two Bylaws.
Road Closure Bylaw
A Bylaw may only be repealed by bylaw. Bylaw 1704 purports to close portions of road not vested in the City of Langford, this was corrected by Bylaw 1807. The intention, as set out in the staff report regarding Bylaw 1807 was to repeal Bylaw 1704 at the time that Bylaw 1807 was enacted. For housekeeping purposes, Staff recommends repealing Bylaw 1704.
This Bylaw is to correct the City’s records.
Financial Implications
None
Legal Implications
These changes will clean up the City’s records.
Options
- That Council give 1st, 2nd and 3rd readings to the " CITY OF LANGFORD SIGN BYLAW NO. 1250. AMENDMENT NO. 2, BYLAW NO. 1934, 2020";
AND
- That Council give 1st, 2nd and 3rd readings to the "CITY OF LANGFORD BYLAW NO. 1935, 2020, TO REPEAL ‘ROAD CLOSURE BYLAW NO. 1704 (SPENCER ROAD), 2017’";
OR
- That Council do nothing at this time with respect to the " CITY OF LANGFORD SIGN BYLAW NO. 1250. AMENDMENT NO. 2, BYLAW NO. 1934, 2020".
OR
- That Council do nothing at this time with respect to the "CITY OF LANGFORD BYLAW NO. 1935, 2020, TO REPEAL ‘ROAD CLOSURE BYLAW NO. 1704 (SPENCER ROAD), 2017’";