Sign issue for local business owner will not come before town council

Despite an attempt from a member of town council, it does not appear an Amherstburg business owner will get her say before town council.

Amanda Kerr has been asked to remove her business sign from a neighbouring property and an attempt to have a report drafted to allow Kerr to address council has been denied. Councillor Linden Crain asked administration to prepare report regarding the potential for offsite signage for Amanda Kerr Fitness and a review of sign bylaw provisions and “any other required approvals.

Crain noted the matter has been in the media and on social media, with the fitness company wanting to speak at council. He said the signage space is leased from local realtor Brad Bondy. Crain added he gave Kerr information on why it has to be removed but offered to bring it up at council to see if she could eventually speak to it.

Councillor Molly Allaire opposed the motion. She said the town already has a bylaw and council members are hearing that if offsite signage is allowed there, other businesses want the same thing.

“I’m not ready to open up this can of worms. We closed it for a reason,” she said. “They have opportunities to put signs on their property. They have to follow the proper procedures. I think we have given them those avenues but they don’t want to do those avenues.”

Allaire acknowledged the fitness company is experiencing hardship through this issue but “if every other business has to follow suit, those are the rules we put in place.”

Crain said he is not requesting to repeal or rescind the current bylaw but he wanted to provide Kerr a chance to address council. The way to do that is to get a report, he said.

“I’m not saying we need to make any changes. Maybe we won’t,” he said.

Councillor Don McArthur said he was leery about making any changes to the bylaw but wanted to hear the business owner speak. 

“When you drive down Sandwich, it’s right next to the property. I think it’s worth having the discussion,” he said.

McArthur and it’s not like when there were signs along County Road 20, noting this case is “literally adjacent to the property.” He said he wanted to see what options there are.

Manager of licensing and enforcement B.J. Wilder told council if the bylaw is brought forward, the town could experience multiple delegates. He said there is an appetite from people wanting to change the bylaw, and if the sign bylaw is brought back there could be more than one scenario to consider.

“It’s not that it’s a concern, but this could open up any aspects and avenues of the bylaw,” he said.

Wilder said other businesses that were also impacted by formal complaints have removed their signage. If the bylaw was brought back and thus granting an exemption for Amanda Kerr Fitness, the other businesses would have to be contacted and treated the same way as well.

CAO Valerie Critchley added council could also consider is there is no avenue of appeal provided in the bylaw by the council of the day. She said the bylaw predates her time with the town, but she understood it to be council didn’t want to “open those floodgates” if someone didn’t like a particular aspect of the bylaw that they would appeal to council.

Allaire also noted bringing the bylaw back could cause “mayhem” and “open up everything.” She emphasized there are rules in place and if others complied with the order, everyone has to comply as well.

Councillor Peter Courtney and Councillor Diane Pouget also voted against the motion for a report.

Deputy Mayor Chris Gibb declared conflict due to a business relationship he has with the owner of the land where the sign is currently located.

Sign issue for local business owner will not come before town council

By Ron Giofu