New Westminster city council wants residents' input on a proposed digital sign at Plaza 88.
The city has received an application for a full-motion digital sign to be installed on the Columbia Street façade of the Plaza 88 development at 811 Columbia St. The proposed sign, which would measure 68 square metres (731.97 square feet), would require council's approval because it would vary six sections of the city's signage bylaw.
The Pattison Sign Group has applied for the variances on behalf of Plaza 88 Retail Developments Ltd. The applicant held a public open house on Oct. 15 that was attended by two members of the public and a city staff representative.
In a report considered by council Nov. 5, staff indicated that they do not support the application. Staff raised concerns about the potential light intrusion from signs on residences at the Quay and on parts of Columbia Street, as well as future development sites at the Quay.
Coun. Betty McIntosh supports moving the process forward and seeing what type of response the community offers.
She said some council members are concerned that many Quayside residents may not be aware of the proposal.
"I thought, who is the audience? Who will see it?" she said. "It's right on the truck route."
At a previous meeting, council viewed a brief video that showed what the proposed signage would look like on Columbia Street. In addition to logos for major retail tenants like Safeway, the sign would also display trailers for movies showing at Landmark Cinemas.
While he supports attempts to promote businesses in Plaza 88, Coun. Chuck Puchmayr opposes the sign that's being proposed. He said the "massive" sign is no different than the billboards the city has approved at locations elsewhere in New Westminster where there is no impact on residents.
"I totally accept improving the signage there. Something that is digital and moving all the time could be very distractive," he said. "This is moving images all the time."
According to a staff report, the parking lot at 900 Quayside Dr. (in front of the Inn at the Quay hotel and First Capital office building) has zoning in place that allows for high-density, multifamily residential development.
If built, Puchmayr said residents living in units facing the digital sign at Plaza 88 may have to keep their curtains closed 24 hours a day because of the light intrusion.
"It's too big and it is digital moving images," he said. "That troubles me in that area."
The proposed sign would be restricted to advertisements related to businesses operating in Plaza 88 and movies being shown at the theatres. In addition, the city would be given space to show "10 civic and city-supported messages per hour" at no cost.
New Westminster city council will give residents an opportunity to be heard about this application at its Dec. 3 meeting, which takes place at 7 p.m.
