Avalanche centre’s Grizzly Plaza window signs denied

Avalanche Canada’s plan to cover the front windows of their office location in Grizzly Plaza with images of avalanches was denied by city council on Mar. 10, despite a brand-new city sign procedure and the fact that cumbersome sign processes were an election issue.

Some councillors appeared to hesitate when the vote was called, and in the end moved against a variance request for the full frontal signage.

Passers-by mistake the centre for a retail location and walk-ins are creating a disturbance for staff, council heard. The proposed solution was large photo stickers covering the windows, but that would require a sign bylaw variance to allow Avalanche Canada to increase their window sign area from the maximum 20 per cent allowed to 100 per cent. The proposal also included a large TV screen that would display avalanche information.

Council heard people can currently see through the side of the existing adverts and keep knocking on the window. The organization has even taken the measure of taking the front door handle off to discourage disturbances, but with limited success.

“In its current configuration, it is more of an office space,” Canadian Avalanche Association executive director Joe Obad said in an interview.

“Our partner organization Avalanche Canada, they provide a suite of public services but currently they don’t provide walk-in services.”

At council, there was discussion on whether allowing this change would set a precedent.

Assistant planner Chris Selvig told councillors the main reason these types of adverts are not allowed is because of security concerns.

“This project has implications with security if it’s a solid thing. We can’t see through from the outside,” he said. “RCMP has noted those security concerns. The risk is minimal considering Revelstoke is a pretty safe place to be.”

“RCMP have also noted some suggestion to help allieviate these issues. Improving the existing alarm system or adding one, installing a camera system or altering the proposal for a perforated signage,” Selvig said.

When acting mayor Linda Nixon called the vote, only two of the five councillors present supported the variance request.

Obad said it’s not a pivotal issue at this point.

“I think it would be fair to say we’re considering reapplying,” he said.

Follow this link to the City of Revelstoke staff report on the matter.

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What do you think? More of council meddling in signage issues and getting in the way of progress? Or do you agree this proposal isn’t the right one for Grizzly Plaza? What’s your take? Leave your comment below, and if you have any questions, feel free to ask below and we’ll try to answer them for you.