Signs, signs, everywhere a sign!

Okay, even though the Town of Creston does not have a song dedicated to signs, we have a bylaw.

You may be asking yourself what the importance of a sign bylaw is. Well, signs play an important role in communities. Key functions of signs are often broken down into four categories:

• Directional - help people find their way
• Identification and location- help people find services and facilities they are looking for
• Advertisement - help people make decisions about services
• Educational - help people understand what's going on around them

Sign bylaws support these critical functions while nurturing a sense of place. Some ways signs can create a sense of place are:

• Creating visual continuity within distinct geographic areas
• Encouraging sign materials, colours, or designs that reflect the natural and built environments
• Encouraging design that reflects arts, culture, and history
• Encouraging sign design that is scaled to the primary user - e.g. pedestrian or motorist

A good sign bylaw should:

• Help businesses attract customers but avoid clutter and confusion
• Be visually appealing but foster creativity and uniqueness
• Create continuity within distinct geographic areas but do not stifle individuality
• Develop a sense of place and community by showcasing what the community has to offer

The Town of Creston is in the process of a Sign Bylaw Rewrite to develop a new sign bylaw that is more usable by those installing signs and by Town Staff. To achieve this, we need your help. Let us know what types of signs you like and which ones you don't. Let us know what kind of sign you find most effective as a pedestrian or motorist. If you've applied for a sign before, what did you find confusing or restrictive?

Let us know below, and stay tuned for more engagement opportunities.