Vancouver city council passed a motion today (January 17) asking PavCo for a “clear action plan” to bring three digital signs at B.C. Place into compliance with city bylaws.

“This motion asks PavCo to do what Crown corporations have said in the past they would do...that they would adhere to city policies and procedures when it came to issues that would normally be under our jurisdiction,” said Vision Vancouver councillor Geoff Meggs.

Meggs’ motion, which was passed unanimously by city council, asked Vancouver’s city manager to write to PavCo, advising them that the city requires a clear action plan to bring the signs into compliance “with city standards and processes”.

The city has been receiving complaints from residents in the area about the installation of large digital signs at three locations around the stadium.

Meggs described a strong statement from city council as “by far the best way to get some relief for our citizens.”

“If we don’t speak up for these people, who will?” he said.

Meggs added that if PavCo doesn’t comply with the request, that the motion also asks staff to see if there’s anything else the city can do to bring B.C. Place into compliance with city bylaws.

According to city manager Penny Ballem, Vancouver does not have legal authority to mandate the changes, although she noted the city is trying to clarify any regulatory measures they would have if PavCo is working with a private organization on the digital signs.

Ballem added that “there’s a larger question here as we go forward... about PavCo’s relationship to the city.”

Meggs said he brought the motion forward after receiving continuing correspondence from residents in the area.

David Cookson, who lives in a residential condo building across from the Terry Fox Plaza, said he and neighbours are asking for “the application of due process”. He said he wants to see PavCo abide by city bylaws, which restrict the size of signs to 200 square feet.

“This giant screen is 2,000 square feet, which is ten times the allowed size, and we’re not even talking about other considerations like the type of screen, or the glare given off that screen,” Cookson told the Straight.

Meggs’ motion passed unanimously.