14°c A few clouds
28°c Isolated showers
Winnipeg Free Press - ONLINE EDITION
EPC approves new billboard rules, holds off on tax hike
A CBS billboard faces McPhillips Street. (WAYNE GLOWACKI/ WINNIPEG FREE PRESS) Photo Store
Mayor Sam Katz's inner circle has approved a package of new regulations governing outdoor advertising -- except for taxes on billboards and digital signs.
City council's executive policy committee voted this morning to approve outdoor-advertising regulations that ban digital moving type - that is, scrolling words on electronic signs - and creates other restrictions on animated signs.
But EPC held off on approving a billboard-tax hike that would have increased the tax burden on the average sign to $1,140 from $350.
The move followed a week of complaints by billboard companies Pattison Outdoor and CBS Outdoor, who called the proposed 380-per-cent tax hike unfair and excessive.
EPC voted 5-1 to approve the overall plan but defer changes to the taxes to early 2013, after the industry is consulted.
Council property committee chairman Jeff Browaty (North Kildonan) suggested the delay in order to ensure any hike would not adversely affect business. Last week, he said the outdoor-advertising was undertaxed.
Pattison sales director Joanne Koop said her industry expects to pay more – just not almost four times more than it currently pays in taxes. She said she was pleased to see EPC makes allowances for her concerns.
Digital-sign companies such as Zero Din, however, remain disappointed about the overall package of regulations.
Couns. Browaty, Scott Fielding (St. James-Brooklands), Dan Vandal (St. Boniface), Mike Pagtakhan (Point Douglas) and Paula Havixbeck (Charleswood-Tuxedo) voted in favour of the plan.
Transcona Coun. Russ Wyatt voted against it, while Mayor Sam Katz recused himself from the debate and vote because his Winnipeg Goldeyes operate a digital sign outside Shaw Park.
The proposal comes before council as a whole on Dec. 12.
History
Updated on Wednesday, December 5, 2012 at 10:07 AM CST: Updated and new headline
10:57 AM: Updated
More Local
- Back to Top
- Return to Local
More Local
(1 of 15 articles for today)
Lotteries
1:00 AM 0In the event of a discrepancy between this list and the official winning numbers, the latter shall prevail.
PICK 3
Winning number ...
Poll
Most Popular Local
- Court told driver hysterical after vehicle fatally hit highway worker
- Child in critical condition after West End crash
- Basic arithmetic back in class
- Mountie hospitalized, dog euthanized after crash near Saskatoon
- City-wide average mosquito count drops
- Province blows off wind megawatt goal
- MP Glover files new version of disputed 2011 election expenses
- Committee wants report on free replacement for garbage, recycling carts
- Pallister continues PST fight
- Teen on train tracks from York Landing
- Safeway stores likely to close
- Squirrel crawls out of Winnipegger's toilet
- Poolside feeding prompts eviction
- Court told driver hysterical after vehicle fatally hit highway worker
- Stoppage of play off the field
- Child in critical condition after West End crash
- Basic arithmetic back in class
- Game-day planning a must
- Kenyan wins Manitoba Marathon
- Traffic heavy as Bomber fans flock to U of M
- Father blasts 'horrific' movie
- Safeway stores likely to close
- Man dies after being pulled from vehicle submerged in Winnipeg retention pond
- Flood money paid for CEO's romantic trip
- Car in deadly crash stolen?
- UPDATE: Now with FAQ: Keeping the e-party going without the party-crashers
- Squirrel crawls out of Winnipegger's toilet
- Daycare provider charged with abandonment
- Poolside feeding prompts eviction
- Two people killed in crash north of Winnipeg
- Basic arithmetic back in class
- Province blows off wind megawatt goal
- At 55, I'm wise to what's real in life
- Court told driver hysterical after vehicle fatally hit highway worker
- Bible Belt's bogeyman still haunts town
- Strong may they run: Manitobans reflect on that fateful day in Boston
- Child in critical condition after West End crash
- Mountie hospitalized, dog euthanized after crash near Saskatoon
- City-wide average mosquito count drops
- Province's new approach to teaching math long overdue: readers
- Basic arithmetic back in class
- Squirrel crawls out of Winnipegger's toilet
- Safeway stores likely to close
- Doctors blamed for death
- App could give Winnipeggers chance to report bad parking, get paid
- $110-K worth of nickel plates stolen from Thompson mine
- A day in the life of 13,380 Manitoba Marathon participants
- Province blows off wind megawatt goal
- Known as kind, outgoing men
- Stoppage of play off the field
- Basic arithmetic back in class
- Squirrel crawls out of Winnipegger's toilet
- Developers to unveil plans for bold downtown tower
- Father blasts 'horrific' movie
- Teachers support adding sexual-orientation themes to all curricula
- The crime fighter's revolution
- Safeway stores likely to close
- Car in deadly crash stolen?
- Fishing for fashion
- City's first urban reserve born
Ads by Google
You can comment on most stories on winnipegfreepress.com. You can also agree or disagree with other comments. All you need to do is be a Winnipeg Free Press print or e-edition subscriber to join the conversation and give your feedback.
You can comment on most stories on winnipegfreepress.com. You can also agree or disagree with other comments. All you need to do is be a Winnipeg Free Press print or e-edition subscriber to join the conversation and give your feedback.
Have Your Say
New to commenting? Check out our Frequently Asked Questions.
Have Your Say
Comments are open to Winnipeg Free Press print or e-edition subscribers only. why?
Login SubscribeHave Your Say
Comments are open to Winnipeg Free Press Subscribers only. why?
SubscribeThe Winnipeg Free Press does not necessarily endorse any of the views posted. By submitting your comment, you agree to our Terms and Conditions. These terms were revised effective April 16, 2010.