Telus billboard turning heads at City Hall
A billboard erected by Telus on the southern facade of the BC Telephone Company building at 826 Yates has been ordered by City Hall to come down unless the company can successfully apply for and receive a necessary permit.
In a story first reported by VibrantVictoria.ca on May 24th, Telus installed the billboard featuring a familiar hippopotamus and rabit motif as part of the firms mobile network marketing campaign.
Robert Randall, Chair of the Downtown Victoria Residents’ Association was quoted at the time as being left in the dark with respect to any applications for the sign. That was because Telus had failed to secure necessary permits for the installation.
The City of Victoria claims a billboard installed by Telus fails to comply with the City's sign bylaw. The billboard must conform to regulations or be removed. Photo © by VibrantVictoria.ca.
In a document obtained by VibrantVictoria.ca, issued to Telus by City Hall, it was revealed that a “subsequent search of City records” had uncovered that no formal application for the billboard had been made. As such, contravention of the sign bylaw calls for a minimum of “$100 per day for each day the offence continues” and requires the owner to formally respond to the situation.
Two options are now on the table. One option gives Telus until June 30th, 2010 to apply for and receive a permit for the billboard. The other option requires removal by the same date.
Failure to comply will result in the issuance of fines and potentially legal action by the City against Telus.
To follow this story and to discuss signs, advertising and billboards in the capital region, refer to this thread in the VibrantVictoria.ca discussion forum.
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Responses to this Headline or Article
The five most recent replies to VibrantVictoria.ca's discussion forum's NEW signage, advertising and video billboards in Victoria thread, the most relevant thread to the above headline or article:
Mike K.
Aug 19, 2011 at 9:07 amA video sign has been installed along Quadra just north of Hillside for the import/export store beside San Remo. It's about 1.5 meters across and 1 meter tall.
Bingo
Feb 13, 2012 at 7:37 amQuote: Advertising and signage are a confusing matter in Victoria.
City Hall allowed the installation of an advertising video billboard at the arena and they also posted dozens of "Vote Yes" signs on parking kiosks across downtown.
This advertising debate is on again with thoughts of renaming the Victoria Confererence Centre.
I wonder about the value of the additional revenue gathered if now you end up calling it something like the Save on Foods Conference Palace, and you plaster the name over the prominent architectural features of the building.
Mike K.
Feb 13, 2012 at 7:41 amAlpine Disposal Conference Centre. Imagine if Stu Young muscled his way in with that name!
bluefox
Feb 13, 2012 at 12:54 pmQuote: Alpine Disposal Conference Centre. Imagine if Stu Young muscled his way in with that name!
That's on par with calling it the Traveller's Inn Conference Centre or... the "Victoria Conference Centre presented by Wharfside Seafood Grille" ;)
Victoria has missed out once on a great naming rights opportunity (Save-On-Foods? Really?). If the conference centre can manage to attract a reasonably big Canadian name (like a telecom, a bank, etc.), I think that will send a message about not only the health of the local economy but also the prestige of the city.
The lower profile the brand on the building, the more backwoods the city looks. Victoria can definitely do better.
VicHockeyFan
Apr 06, 2012 at 6:06 amSaanich Commonwealth Pool has a 19' x 9' screen apparently:
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