O, Billboards!

The people at the Toronto Public Space Committee have gotten me all riled up again. They pointed out two items that are before City Council this week, and I just had to write to every City Councillor....

Dear Mayor and City Council,

I am writing to express my opposition to the proposed variance that would allow Ciniplex at 1025 the Queensway to build a video screen aimed at the Gardiner.

Anyone who gives the matter more than a moment's thought will understand that there is no way in which video advertising can make the Gardiner a safer place to drive. It certainly has the potential, however, to make it a more dangerous place to drive.

I have read that the screens will be visible to drivers three-quarters of the way up an on-ramp. I think that trying to advertise movies to people who are trying to merge onto a busy highway is all but criminal.

I urge you to disallow the construction of this video sign.

With thanks for your attention,

-Andrew

...and...

Dear Mayor and City Councillors,

Applications will soon come before City Council to vet or veto the construction of third-party illuminated signs on the rooves of 1294 St Clair Avenue West and 1840 Eglinton Avenue West.

City Council enacted by-law 1995-0229 specifically to prohibit signage such as these proposed signs. The belief was that such signs have a negative visual impact on our city, especially in areas of mixed commercial and residential use (who wants an apartment with a billboard outside their window?).

I support by-law 1995-0229, and urge you to support it as well. Our City needs less advertising, not more. Please don't let these signs go up.

With thanks for your time,

-Andrew

We'll see what happens, I suppose....