Downtown Vancouver resident David Cookson can’t stand the sight of the electronic billboards at BC Place.
But like hundreds of neighbours, he doesn’t have a choice as the glare of the big screens lights up his home during the day and on event nights.
“We have constant advertising tormenting us in our homes, our living rooms and our childrens’ rooms,” said Cookson. “It’s a huge glare, it’s an abomination. The screen is 10 times the size allowed by city bylaws.”
Residents have been trying to fight PavCo over the signs since the renovated stadium re-opened but have received no answers about why the advertising boards — exempt from city bylaws because they sit on provincial land — went up without any consultation.
But help could be on the way.
On Tuesday, Coun. Geoff Meggs plans to introduce a motion at city hall that would demand compliance from PavCo or risk the city taking “further remedies to reduce neighbourhood impact.”
“Ultimately we’d like (PavCo) to come back to us and comply with our bylaws. We have to do something to make it easier for the people living down there,” said Meggs. “(PavCo) did agree to turn the screens off at night, but even on an overcast day, it’s quite disturbing having a light flashing in your living room.”
Cookson — who launched the Take the Giant Screen Down Now group — said he’s glad Meggs is looking out for residents, but vowed he’d keep protesting until the screens are taken down.
Local news from metronews.ca/vancouver
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