Sign permit fees may be relieved along Newmarket's Davis Drive

YorkRegion.com
Sept. 26, 2014
By Chris Simon

Some relief is likely coming for Davis Drive business owners.

Newmarket council could approve plans to waive sign permit fees for Davis businesses affected by the ongoing, multi-million dollar VivaNext rapid transit expansion project during a meeting next week.

"We're recognizing there's been significant impact on the business community along Davis," Regional Councillor John Taylor said. "Waiving the fees is a show of support toward those businesses."

Under the plan, businesses could be allowed to put out certain temporary signs and sandwich boards, without paying the usual permit fees. Permits issued between January 1, 2014 and the conclusion of construction would be eligible. The project is about 54 per cent complete and should be wrapped up by December 2015.

Staff will also be asked to explore the feasibility of removing time restrictions on sign placements along Davis for the duration of construction.

"We don't want a sea of signs all the time," Taylor said, referring to the town's current sign bylaw. "It's a visual impact. Having said that, I don't think anyone could make the argument Davis is attractive at this moment; a few more signs aren't going to negatively impact the aesthetics."

The project affects Davis from Yonge Street to Hwy. 404. It includes a Viva rapidway from Yonge to the Southlake Regional Health Centre area, pedestrian-friendly boulevards and open spaces.

Viva is also scheduled to begin construction on a rapid transit route along Yonge, from Davis to Mulock Drive, this month. Once that roadwork begins, town staff will consult with Viva officials to see if sign fees should also be waived for affected Yonge businesses.

For more information on the projects, visit vivanext.com.