Signs cluttering Highway 97 could be a legal and safety hazard, warns a Peachland councillor who wants the district to crack down—before someone gets hurt.
At council’s June 24 meeting, Councillor Dave Collins raised concerns over the growing number of signs—especially real estate listings—popping up along the busy corridor through Peachland.
Collins, a realtor himself, said the district’s sign bylaw isn’t being enforced on the highway, even though it technically falls within municipal boundaries.
Many of the signs, he argued, could easily become dangerous debris in windy conditions.
“You’ve had more and more private signs being erected—they’re temporary in nature, they’re somewhat flimsy in a wind storm, and they pose a liability.”
He also pointed out that the situation is putting pressure on local realtors.
“You hit a critical mass of signs and their clients will say ‘how come I don’t get a sign along the highway,’” Collins said.
Without action from the district, he warned, the problem will only grow.
“I guess the question is, is there anyone on council who wants to see dozens and dozens of listing signs along Highway 97 in Peachland and the potential liability of it.”
Collins is worried that if a sign blows into a vehicle or hits a pedestrian, the district could be dragged into legal action.
“Unless you’ve got some type of letter of indemnity from MOTI (Ministry of Transportation and Infrastructure) that says ‘Hey you’re right, this is our corridor, hands off we enforce it’ there is a potential issue there.”
He pointed to the bylaw, which prohibits signs on public property in the municipality unless a permit is issued and the sign is covered by insurance that protects the district.
“You can say that’s the province, but it’s also us—it’s within our boundaries. We need to get a handle on it.”
Chief Administrative Officer Joe Creron acknowledged the issue, but said it’s not currently a top priority.
“I’ll be honest—I think we have higher priorities right now—I don’t have time to get it done by July 8 (council’s next meeting),” he said.
While the district can create a bylaw, Creron reminded council that the highway is provincial jurisdiction.
“Anytime we’ve seen signs we’ve called MOTI and told them to take care of them,” he said. “They’re probably not in the neighbourhood, so they’ll sit there… until they fall down.”
Still, he said staff will reach out again.
“And tell them it’s their highway and why aren’t they cleaning up that part.”
Councillor Terry Condon suggested enforcing the current bylaw, regardless of grey areas.
“Somebody else comes along and complains about jurisdiction or appropriate authority we’ll deal with that then,” he said.
Mayor Patrick Van Minsel supported the move and proposed a short trial.
“And see what happens in the next 14 to 20 days,” he added.
