Concerns are being raised about the number of sandwich boards being displayed at Plaza 88.
Coun. Jonathan Cote raised the issue at Monday's committee of the whole meeting, after several local residents engaged in a lively discussion about the sandwich boards earlier in the day on Twitter.
"There is a large number of sandwich boards," Cote told council. "I can see why people are complaining. It is a private mall. Is it a public right of way?"
Numerous businesses at the Plaza 88 commercial development have placed sandwich boards along the internal passageway that runs under the SkyTrain guideway.
"# of sandwich boards at Plaza 88 is hazardous & hideous," tweeted Wes Koopmans.
Another resident, Karla, tweeted, "I agree, they're pretty hideous."
Bev Grieve, the city's manager of planning, said staff has communicated with the project's developer "on quite a few occasions" about the sandwich boards, as they may be impacting access for some people at the site. The city has been informed that the signs are needed to advertise the businesses, until way-finding signage is in place.
Grieve said staff will contact the developer again to reiterate that concerns have been raised about the sandwich boards.
Coun. Betty McIntosh said a lively discussion about the sandwich board took place at the city's special services and access committee, where some committee members suggested the sandwich boards topped with balloons actually helped people find certain businesses at Plaza 88.
www.twitter.com/theresamcmanus
