VANCOUVER KEEPS OUTDOOR ADS IN THE CITY
By Adnews Staff
The Outdoor Advertising Association of Canada scored a victory over Vancouver politicians this week when city council unanimously decided to continue to allow billboard advertising in the city. The council had been considering banning all outdoor advertising in Vancouver. The by-law for billboards was also changed to make it clearer for sign companies and permit staff. "There was a lot of ambiguity in the old by-law," Gallop & Gallop Advertising Vancouver branch manager Peter Watson told Adnews this week. The new law defines what is considered a roof and the front face of a building. In addition, outdoor advertisers are no longer allowed to advertise in 12 major development areas in Vancouver. In the south end of downtown Vancouver, commercial areas are turning into residential areas. As this happens, outdoor advertisers will no longer be able advertise there either. City council also lifted the restriction by which billboards had to be 300 feet apart. Now, they only have to be 50 feet apart. Watson said that the association is hoping the new by-law will encourage neighboring municipalities, such as Burnaby, to lift their bans on outdoor advertising. The cities banned outdoor advertising about 20 or 30 years ago because they consisted entirely of residential areas.