January 4, 2000
To: Economic Development and Parks Committee
From: Joe Halstead, Commissioner Economic Development, Culture and Tourism
Brenda Glover, Acting Commissioner Corporate Services
Subject: Third Party Outdoor Advertising on City Property
All Wards
Purpose:
To report on the results of the public consultation undertaken regarding the draft principles for
Third Party Outdoor Advertising endorsed by Council on September 28, 29,1999. To advise
Council of the next steps regarding the development of a Third Party Outdoor Advertising
program. The report also seeks Council's authorization to investigate the City's options regarding
alternate methods of tendering the leasing of third party outdoor advertising locations.
Financial Implications and Impact Statement:
There are no financial implications resulting from the adoption of this report.
Recommendations:
It is recommended that:
(1) Council receive the results of the public opinion survey and authorize the Commissioners
Economic Development, Culture and Tourism; Works and Emergency Services; and the
Acting Commissioner of Corporate Services to continue developing a third party outdoor
advertising program which takes into consideration the results of the survey;
(2) Council authorize the Commissioner Economic Development, Culture and Tourism, and the
Acting Commissioner Corporate Services to investigate the City's options with
respect to suggestions made by sign industry representatives regarding alternate methods of
tendering the leasing of third party outdoor sign locations;
(3) the Commissioners Economic Development, Culture and Tourism; Works and Emergency
Services; and the Acting Commissioner Corporate Services submit a joint report back to
Council on recommendations (1) and (2) in the year 2000;
(4) this report be forwarded to the Administration Committee for information; and
(5) Council forward this report to the City's Agencies, Boards and Commissions for their
information.
Background:
City Council, at its meeting on July 29, 30, 31, 1998, recommended the adoption of a report from the
Commissioner of Corporate Services to terminate existing signboard agreements for certain non-conforming signboard locations, and to issue a tender to lease certain other locations. The Commissioner
was also requested to prepare a report to the Corporate Services Committee respecting the tendering of
signboards presently located on former Metropolitan Toronto properties. City Council, at its meeting on
November 25, 26, 27, 1998, recommended that the existing Metro signboard agreements continue until
Council has adopted a City-wide policy. Council also directed a report be prepared regarding policies,
process and criteria for tendering signboards, and that this report ensure that there will be more than one
provider of these advertising services.
At its meeting on December 16, 17, 1998, Council considered a report from the Commissioner Economic
Development, Culture and Tourism regarding third party outdoor advertising and adopted a
recommendation that called for the establishment of a staff project team to examine issues related to this
matter.
At its meeting on September 28, 29, 30, 1999, Council adopted the recommendations of a joint
report from the Commissioner Economic Development, Culture and Tourism Department and the
Acting Commissioner of Corporate Services which presented a series of draft principles for Third
Party Outdoor Advertising endorsed by Council as a basis for public consultation. Council directed
the Commissioners to report back on the results of the public consultation by February 1, 2000, and
authorized the development of a draft third party outdoor advertising program, so that the tendering
process may begin, at the very latest, at the end of March 2000. Council also requested that the
City's Agencies, Boards and Commissions be included in the consultation process.
Public Consultation
In order to gauge public response to the draft principles for third party outdoor advertising endorsed
by Council, an eight-question opinion survey was developed and mailed to approximately 900
ratepayer, resident and business associations, facility user groups, environmental and heritage
associations, arena boards of management, and horticulture/gardening clubs. In addition, thousands
of copies of the survey were made available at civic centres, community centres and libraries for
pick-up and response. A copy of the survey is Attachment No. 1.
A total of 164 surveys were returned. The tabulated responses to several of the questions indicate
a clear preference on behalf of the majority of respondents regarding third party outdoor advertising.
Approximately 9 out of 10 respondents strongly agree or agree that third party outdoor advertising
should not be allowed within natural or passive parkland areas, including children's play areas, or
on City-owned heritage buildings, heritage sites or other heritage assets. A clear majority of
respondents, 82.1% strongly agree or agree that additional third party outdoor advertising should be
allowed on street furniture provided that such advertising does not detract from public safety,
streetscape aesthetics, or from the residential amenity or business interests of the surrounding
community. In addition, 67.5% of respondents agree or strongly agree that stand alone third party
outdoor advertising signs should be allowed only in select locations within the road allowance if the
sign also serves the public interest by, for example, exhibiting public service announcements.
With respect to the remaining questions, the opinion of the respondents is clearly divided:
(1) 50.6% of respondents indicated that they either strongly agree or agree that third party
outdoor advertising should be permitted in active parkland where sports and recreational uses
take place (ie. sports fields, tennis courts, swimming pools, outdoor ice rinks) provided it
does not detract, physically or visually, from the use or enjoyment of the parkland or
sports/recreational facilities. 44.4% of respondents indicated that they either strongly
disagree or disagree with this statement.
(2) 55.3% of respondents indicated that they either agree or strongly agree that third party
outdoor advertising should be permitted on City-owned buildings such as community
centres, service buildings and arenas (excluding heritage buildings and Civic Centres).
42.2% of respondents indicated that they either strongly disagree or disagree with this
statement.
(3) 61.9% of respondents indicated that they either strongly agree or agree that additional third
party outdoor advertising signs should not be allowed anywhere within City road allowances.
28.1% of respondents indicated that they either disagree or strongly disagree with this
statement.
The public response regarding third party outdoor advertising in road allowances is significant.
While response to the general question regarding road allowances suggests limited support for
allowing third party outdoor advertising, the more detailed questions regarding allowing advertising
on street furniture and in select road allowance locations received a significantly greater level of
acceptance, with 82.1% and 67.5 % of respondents in favour, respectively. The staff team believes
this is because the more detailed questions refer to qualifying considerations
such as maintaining public safety, streetscape aesthetics and signage that may also serve the public
interest. This suggests that a third party outdoor advertising program which includes provisions that
address issues such as public safety and streetscape appearance may also receive broader public
acceptance.
Many of the surveys returned include written comments, offering a wide variety of issues and
opinions. Many of the comments expressed concern with the existing level of outdoor advertising
and its negative impact upon the appearance of the City. Several respondents suggested that if third
party outdoor advertising is to be permitted on City assets, that it be done in accordance with design
and content guidelines, and that issues such as public safety and streetscape aesthetics be considered.
Still other respondents commented that the City should profit from third party advertising. A
detailed tabulation of the survey results and a summary of the written comments are as Attachment
No. 2.
In addition to the survey, meetings were organized with representatives of City Agencies, Boards
and Commissions, and with representatives of the outdoor sign industry. The meetings were held
as information sessions, allowing the staff team to provide an update on its work. The sign
companies offered interesting insight regarding trends and product development in their industry.
With respect to the tendering process, the sign company representatives offered ideas such as master
lease agreements, retaining the services of a sign consultant to provide expertise and act as the City's
leasing agent. They suggested that staff review how the cities of Montreal, Quebec City and Calgary
manage their third party outdoor advertising programs.
Comments:
Alternate Methods of Tendering Sign Locations
In 1998, Council allowed existing signboard agreements to continue until such time as a uniform
process for tendering sign locations has been adopted. As noted above, the sign industry
representatives have provided staff with several ideas regarding alternate methods of tendering and
leasing third party outdoor advertising sign locations, including traditional billboards and potential
new sign products. Staff find these suggestions worthy of further investigation and consideration.
Staff recommend that Council authorize the Acting Commissioner Corporate Services and the
Commissioner Economic Development, Culture and Tourism to investigate the City's options with
respect to suggestions made by sign industry representatives regarding alternate methods of leasing
and tendering third party outdoor sign locations and to report back to Council as early as possible
in 2000. In addition, as suggested by the sign industry representatives, staff will also undertake a
review of how other cities manage and implement their third party outdoor advertising programs.
Third Party Outdoor Advertising Program
The staff team is proceeding with the development of a draft third party outdoor advertising
program, taking into consideration the findings of the public opinion survey. Clearly, the results
of the survey suggest that there is little support for such advertising within natural and passive
parkland areas, including children's play areas, or on City-owned heritage buildings, heritage sites
or other heritage assets.
The draft program will concentrate upon those areas where the survey suggests there may be more
acceptance of third party outdoor advertising such as street furniture and select road allowance
locations where signage may also serve the public interest. In the development of the draft program,
staff will also consider those areas where the results of the survey suggest opinions are more evenly
divided, namely active parkland areas, City-owned buildings (excluding heritage buildings and Civic
Centres) and other road allowance locations. Staff will report back on appropriate venues, sign types
and design guidelines as part of the draft program. Recommendations may also be made on potential
innovative sign products that can promote the City's programs and services as well as include third
party outdoor advertising.
With respect to timing, City Council, at its meeting on September 28, 29, 30, 1999, directed the
Commissioner Economic Development, Culture and Tourism and the Acting Commissioner
Corporate Services to report back on the results of the public consultation by February 1, 2000, so
that the tendering process may begin at the very latest at the end of March 2000. The sign industry
representatives provided interesting suggestions, which will require further investigation. In
addition, the opinion survey results suggest a third party outdoor advertising program, which
includes adequate design, content, and location guidelines will receive greater public acceptance.
Therefore, the staff team believes it appropriate to spend additional time developing a
comprehensive program, which takes into account these considerations, and will achieve desired
results over the short and long term.
Both the tabulated survey results and the written comments submitted suggest that the public may
be more amenable to third party outdoor advertising if proper design, location and content guidelines
are developed. Although these guidelines will take additional time to prepare, the staff team believes
that they will have a significant impact upon how the program is received by the public. It is
recommended that Council receive the results of the public opinion survey and authorize the
Commissioners Economic Development, Culture and Tourism; Works and Emergency Services; and
the Acting Commissioner of Corporate Services to continue developing a draft third party outdoor
advertising program, which takes into consideration the results of the survey, and report back to
Council as early as possible in 2000.
Conclusions:
The results of the public opinion survey suggest that, while there are concerns regarding the effects
of third party outdoor advertising on City-owned lands and buildings, a modest program which is
sensitive to public safety and visual appearance issues, and which also serves the public interest, may
be acceptable to the general public. The staff team will continue to develop the draft program,
including signage design, location and content guidelines, for Council's consideration.
Implementation of the third party outdoor advertising program will have to take into consideration
progress made in the harmonization of the existing sign by-laws.
Contact:
Karen Thorne-Stone
Director of Administration & Support Services
Tel: 395-6152
Fax: 395-0388
Joe Halstead Brenda Glover
Commissioner Economic Development, Acting Commissioner
Culture and Tourism Corporate Services
List of Attachments:
Attachment No. 1 - Public Opinion Survey
Attachment No. 2 - Tabulation of Survey Results and Summary of Written Comments
Attachment No. 2 (cont'd)
The following is a summary of the written comments received through the Public Opinion
Survey. Staff have grouped the comments under headings for easy reference. Some comments
have been interpreted or paraphrased by staff for clarification and grouping purposes. The
number following each comment refers to the number of respondents (if more than one) who
submitted similar comments.
Visual Appearance / Design Considerations
Too much advertising / visual clutter / sign pollution - 24
Advertising should be subject to design and location guidelines - 9
Maintain streetscape aesthetics - 4
Don't allow many signs close together in one area
Sign Location
No advertising on publicly-owned property or public transit - 5
No advertising in parklands, sports fields, etc. - 4
No advertising on street furniture - 5
Third party advertising incompatible with parkland - 3
Advertising should be allowed on street furniture / transit shelters - 9
No advertising on city-owned buildings - 2
Advertising not compatible in historical areas - 3
Advertising in "active" parkland areas should be available only to the services in that location , i.e. tennis clubs,
rinks
Advertising on heritage properties should be permitted with guidelines
Heritage properties and natural parkland are cheapened by commercial advertisements
Minimize advertising in areas where children are the principal users of the facilities
Revenue Generation / Use of Revenues
City should not be involved in third party advertising in order to raise money - 4
Money earned from advertising on City property should be spent to further the naturalization -3
City should make profit from advertising - 2
Money accrued from any advertising on City-owned properties should be spent on educating the public about the
pitfalls associated with using pesticides on private lands - 2
Do more with sponsorship-teams, leagues, events classes, etc. for extra funding
Money earned from advertising should be used for parkland conservation or improvements for the host facility
Public Safety
Address public safety considerations - 7
Distraction of motorists should be avoided - 3
General / Other
Need guidelines for advertising content - 2
Fear that advertising in parkland will lead to privatization of parkland
Concern with ethical ramifications of advertising on City property
Allow advertising, but in moderation - 3
B.I.A.'s should have input
Advertising to be permitted only if the third party has contributed to the public interest
Attachment No. 2
Tabulated Results of Opinion Survey
1. Parkland
a) Third party outdoor advertising should not be allowed within "natural" parkland areas.
Strongly Agree - 83.1 %
Agree - 10.0 %
No Opinion - 1.3 %
Disagree - 3.8 %
Strongly Disagree - 1.9 %
b) Third party outdoor advertising should not be allowed within "passive" parkland areas (where leisure
activities take place like walking or reading) or gardens.
Strongly Agree - 72.2.0 %
Agree - 16.0 %
No Opinion - 1.9 %
Disagree - 7.4 %
Strongly Disagree - 2.5 %
c) Third party outdoor advertising should be permitted in "active" parkland areas where sports and
recreational uses take place (ie. sports fields, tennis courts, swimming pools, outdoor ice rinks) provided it
does not detract, physically or visually, from the use or enjoyment of the parkland or sports/recreational
facilities.
Strongly Agree - 14.2 %
Agree - 36.4 %
No Opinion - 4.9 %
Disagree - 11.1 %
Strongly Disagree - 33.3 %
2. Heritage Properties
a) Third party outdoor advertising should not be allowed on City-owned heritage buildings, heritage sites and
other heritage assets.
Strongly Agree - 84.0 %
Agree - 9.3 %
No Opinion - 1.2 %
Disagree - 4.3 %
Strongly Disagree - 1.2 %
3. Buildings
a) Third party outdoor advertising should be permitted on City-owned buildings such as community centres,
service buildings and arenas (excluding heritage buildings and Civic Centres)
Strongly Agree - 10.6 %
Agree - 44.7 %
No Opinion - 2.5 %
Disagree - 15.5 %
Strongly Disagree - 26.7 %
4. Road allowances (A road allowance consists of the road, sidewalk and boulevard area)
a) Additional third party outdoor advertising signs should not be allowed anywhere within City road allowances.
Strongly Agree - 45.0 %
Agree - 16.9 %
No Opinion - 10.0 %
Disagree - 22.5 %
Strongly Disagree - 5.6 %
b) Additional third party outdoor advertising should be allowed on street furniture (ie. transit shelters,
benches, litter bins) located within the road allowance, provided that such advertising does not detract from
public safety, streetscape aesthetics, or from the residential amenity or business interests of the surrounding
community.
Strongly Agree - 24.8 %
Agree - 57.3 %
No Opinion - 1.3 %
Disagree - 5.7 %
Strongly Disagree - 10.8 %
c) Stand-alone third party outdoor advertising signs should be allowed only in select locations within the road
allowance if the sign also serves the public interest by, for example, exhibiting public service
announcements.
Strongly Agree - 18.1 %
Agree - 49.4 %
No Opinion - 8.1 %
Disagree - 13.1 %
Strongly Disagree - 11.3 %