A prominent lakeshore bar and restaurant in Sylvan Lake has been ordered to remove a banner sign.
The two-metre-by-12-metre banner ran afoul of regulations that do not allow banner signs in the waterfront district, which is subject to a variety of rules meant to preserve the area’s character. The sign also didn’t meet bylaws because it included third party advertising, in this case for Kokanee beer.
Mayor Susan Samson said council agreed with a municipal planning commission recommendation ordering the sign removed within 90 days. In the waterfront direct control district, council has the final say on what is permitted.
Banner signs are not wanted in the waterfront area for aesthetic reasons, she said.
“We’re looking at creating a pedestrian-type development. Those long banner signs are not pedestrian-oriented. They are vehicle-oriented.”
Chef Francisco owner Cory Lewis asked council in a letter to allow the sign to remain. The six-month old banner replaced a previous sign that lacked “curb appeal,” says his letter.
The sign also covered up unsightly rust stains on the front of the building, he says. Also, replacing it with permanent plastic or aluminum signs would be very costly.
Lewis did not return a call for comment.