Dollard Des Ormeaux to review outdated signage bylaws

By Rhonda Massad

DDO council will be reviewing the cities’ signage bylaws in order to make them more accommodating to their corporate taxpayers. At a recent public meeting a business to be located at 61 Brunswick was granted a minor exemption to authorize a nonconforming sign. Steven Donohue planning officer in Dollard explained that all signs like this one should be 100 square feet according to the bylaw.

This exemption allows the sign to be four times that size. The cost to apply for a minor exemption is about $1000, a part of the cost is allocated to publicizing the exemption. The exemption was granted in a unanimous vote by council. “As always the sign has to use channel lettering,” he told The Suburban. According to DDO Mayor Ed Janiszewski it was time for a change. “we have very restrictive sign bylaws, we are looking at updating our signage as we have been overly conservative. We have keep in line with the area,” he explained “It will be beneficial to our businesses and we want to be good corporate friends. This will allow them to have more visibility so they can survive and pay their taxes.”

Business owner Stewart Trapid of Tras Office Solutions will be happy to see some review. He has been fined on numerous occasions over the past twelve years for illegal signage. Each fine being $1400 for a banner that he uses to promote his business. “I am happy the city is careful not to let the area become an eye sore but I welcome the review” he told The Suburban.

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