In keeping with the democratic process, one of the issues raised in regard to the possibility of controlling campaign signs for the 2017 municipal election, Canmore council will go to the people.
On Tuesday (May 16), council gave first reading to a land use bylaw amendment that would see campaign sign placement limited to select public property areas in town, and set June 21 for a public hearing on the issue at 6 p.m.
“Some people really like the signs for name recognition,” said Cheryl Hyde, municipal clerk. “A lot of people see it as an important part of democracy. But some people are the opposite, they see them as wasteful, thinking they go to the landfill.”
Hyde said there are no objective measures to support either side of the campaign sign argument. The bylaw change would include municipal, provincial and federal elections.
Under the proposed bylaw, campaign signs would be allowed at Railway Avenue and Bow Valley Trail, Benchlands and Bow Valley Trails, Elk Boulevard and Highway 1A and Three Sisters Boulevard and Three Sisters Parkway.
An amendment by Councillor Sean Krausert would see signs allowed within 50 metres of the intersections.
“I’d need this to support it, otherwise I think the intersections will be a dog’s breakfast of signage,” he said.
Councillors Ed Russell and Rob Seeley voted against first reading, with Russell saying he didn’t know if the move would improve the situation as he didn’t feel it’s a problem now.
“I think it does impact the democratic process,” said Seeley.
