The walls of Sylvan Lake businesses could become canvases for works of art under bylaw changes being considered by town council.
Under the proposed amendments, the town’s sign regulations would include provisions for painted wall signs and painted wall murals.
The issue of wall signs came to the attention of council late last year when a local business, Mia Casa Furnishings, sought approval for a wall sign. Mia Casa owners Connie and Brian Resta had decorated one wall with a mural depicting a faux home front complete with windows topped with awnings and the business name and slogan.
Councillors wrestled with whether the wall treatment should be considered a mural or an advertising sign.
Town planning staff said under existing town bylaws, murals are not considered signage but as art. Further, painted wall signs could only include advertising of products of the business, much like the wall signs seen on historic buildings.
“It had been in our bylaw forever,” said planner Kim Devlin. “It was just probably not something our businesses would find useful if they were going to put some advertising dollars towards something. So we wanted it to be a little more flexible.”
Council opted to give staff time to review the practices in other communities and come back with some options.
Under the proposed bylaw amendments, painted wall signs would be allowed on side- or rear-facing walls only and written advertising must be limited to no more than 20 per cent of the sign area. Advertising must be related to the business on which the sign is located.
Wall murals must also be relegated to side and rear walls and must “enhance the area in which they are to be located.” They can’t include any advertising and must be decorative or artistic in nature.
Both signs and murals would be allowed for approved commercial and industrial locations or in public or quasi-public sites. Home occupation businesses would not be eligible.
The municipal planning commission, or town council if the wall sign or mural is in the waterfront district, would have final say on the subject matter and imagery.
Connie Resta, who opened the home furnishing, accessories and window covering business on the town’s main street with her husband Brian last November, is pleased to see council is looking at ways to accommodate eye-catching walls like hers.
“To me, it’s a piece of art and that’s part of what my Misa Casa Homes is all about,” she said.
Resta said most of council has been supportive from the beginning of her efforts to decorate her business.
“I am glad that they’ve come around. I think Sylvan Lake needs a little bit of uplift or facelift downtown,” she said.
“I’m here to work with Sylvan Lake, not to give them trouble. I’m hoping my store adds something very nice to Sylvan, not anything negative.”
Council unanimously approved first reading of the amendments on Monday night. A public hearing has been set for April 10 in council chambers.
pcowley@www.reddeeradvocate.com