I. Commercial Roadside Signage in St. Margaret’s Bay

Issue Defined: There is a proliferation of commercial signage along the Coastal Corridor of Highway 333 between Peggy’s Cove and Tantallon Village and from Tantallon Village  to the Aspotegan Peninsula. The number, variety, and poor quality of the signage compromises the Bay’s natural and cultural environment.

II. Position and Proposed Solutions:
    (1) To act with St. Margaret’s Bay Chamber of Commerce and Tourism Association to form a coordinated position on road signage
    (2) Lobby HRM and NS DOT and NS Power  to form a signage coordinating body. This body would:
        a) field road signage complaints and requests from area residents;
        b) meet regularly to decide on signage jurisdictions and responsibilities related to complaints and requests;
        c) devise and empower enforcement procedures and mechanisms in their departments and;
        d) consider proposals generated by area residents related to improving signage.
    (3) Develop voluntary commercial signage guidelines for new signage in St. Margaret’s Bay for roadside signage and  commercial site signage. These guidelines will grow out of  a seminar  on effective signage for commercial users possibly hosted by the Chamber, Tourism, and SMBSA.   
    (4) Provide monetary assistance for commercial advertisers to redo  their signage to be in keeping with new guidelines.
    (5) Organize procedures to take down all outdated signs

III. Timelines and Landmarks

Sept. 24  Article in the  Sept. 24/08 edition of the  Clipper "Committee Formed to Handle Signage Issue Around the Bay". Sets out St. Margaret's Bay Chamber of Commerce leadership position in addressing signage issue.

Sept. 2    Article in Clipper “Finding Common Ground for Signage” featuring interview with John Glover.

Aug. 1    John Leon prepares first  draft of SMBSA position on Bay roadside signage

July 10    Larry Horwitz correspondence with Councillor Gary Meade and HRM related to 10 freestanding sandwich signs. HRM claims these signs are responsibility of NSDOTIR.

July 2       Verbal Agreement between SMBSA and St. Margaret’s Bay Chamber and Tourism Association for the latter two organizations to take the lead in presenting the issue to their members. SMBSA will act in a support and communications capacity. (See Roadside Signage)

Ongoing     Research into various jurisdictions as to regulations and responsibilities for roadside signage in the Coastal Corridor.