Welcome to the municipality's surveys page.
There are currently two active surveys to select from:
1. Highway 7 Signage Program Survey
2. Rural Recreation Strategy Survey
1. Highway 7 Signage Program Survey
By-law A-600 - Respecting Advertisements on Provincial Highways, allows the municipality to develop a signage program that:
- provides a level of management of advertising signage
- preserves and enhances the beauty of the municipality
- provides a useful and accurate way of providing information to travelers
- ensures signs are installed and maintained in a safe and fair manner
The municipality is exploring opportunities to introduce this signage program along Highway 7 (Marine Drive). We are looking for feedback from businesses and residents in the area to help inform next steps.
Please read the following questions and answers to become more familiar with how this program works before taking the survey.
Questions & Answers
- I have a business located on the section of highway that is being contemplated for this new program. Will I have to take down the sign that is located in my parking lot next to the road?
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No. This By-law only applies to signs that are located on the highway property. This By-law will not change any current rules around signage on private property.
- How does this program clean up existing signage?
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When a new sign structure is installed under this program, new privately owned signs are allowed on the highway within 2.5km of it. As noted in the previous question, this will have no effect on signs that are placed on private property. However, any signs that are located on the highway within the prohibited zone will have to be moved to a different location. Our experience suggests business owners who have signs in this zone choose to participate in the program rather than continuously relocate their sign further down the road.
- How big should the “identified section” of the highway be? What are the implications of limiting the “identified section” of highway?
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We certainly want to hear from the community about this. The “identified section” of highway is an important, defined term in the By-law.
The term is important because:
- Only businesses located along the “identified section” of highway can participate in this signage program The prohibition on private signs only applies to the “identified section” of highway.
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Having an “identified section” of highway that is too small will mean that some businesses might not be eligible to participate. But having an “identified section” of highway that is too big might extend the sign prohibition much further than desired.
- Is it possible to get my business logo printed on the standardized sign?
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No. The standardized sign program is designed to convey information to drivers as quickly as possible. Adding logos and other non-standard designs to the sign will require more attention from the motorist travelling at speed. Logos, colours and custom designs would also add significantly to the cost of the sign, which would drive the cost of the program much higher.
- What does it cost to opt in to this signage program?
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The initial application fee is $200, and there is an annual renewal cost of $50. These fees are based on a cost-recovery model, meant to cover the cost of the initial installation and future replacements of the sign for as long as you participate.
- What if there is no more space for my business to be advertised?
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This program is designed to grow with demand. Although each sign structure has a capacity of four signs, new sign structures are added to match the demand.
This survey should take you approximately 10 minutes to complete. Thank you for your participation.
TAKE SURVEY
2. Rural Recreation Strategy Survey
The purpose of the Rural Recreation Strategy is to provide analysis on future needs for parks and recreation services in the rural areas of the municipality. Your responses will help guide the municipality in determining effective ways of providing recreational and park opportunities.
For the purposes of this survey, the municipality defines “rural” as those areas outside the urban transit boundary. These areas include the Musquodoboit Valley Region, Peggys Cove, Eastern Shore Region, St. Margarets Bay, Upper Sackville and Sambro.
The survey should take you approximately 10-15 minutes to complete. The deadline for completing this survey is Sunday, May 23, 2021. Thank you for your participation.