If you see an official Midland notice sign for a development and it has a QR code, you might want to scan the code to find out all the details about that particular plan.
In a planning, building and bylaw staff report on notice signs, the committee of the whole recently heard from acting director Steve Farquharson on the pros and cons for additional information on them.
“With our current signage that we have for development applications for committee of adjustment, minor variances or consents, we have standardized signs,” said Farquharson. “We give them the sign they post on their property, and then we come by and we attach additional information to that.”
What is being proposed by the department are signs with increased size and colourful visibility, adding an image as well as a QR code – similar to a barcode – unique to that specific project.
“This QR code,” Farquharson explained, “anyone if they're out walking their dog or walking past the site, they can scan it with their phone. It takes them to our website (where) we have a list of all our current development applications, and they’re listed by the property.
“Within that, it has all the material that's been submitted with the application: elevation plans; any sort of planning justification reports; engineering reports; anything that staff have received to process will be included on that website.”
In addition to the larger amount of information, Farquharson also informed committee members about the department’s incentive to keep council and the public informed on developments in the community.
“The province has been trying to increase the housing stock,” said Farquharson. “That's been pumped through all the media and through all of our planning legislative changes, to try and get these approvals done quicker. So by eliminating public meetings now, for a plan of subdivision for example, there's no more requirement for a public meeting for that.
“We want to make sure that while it's not required under the Planning Act that you have to put a sign up, we want to make it part of our process that you have to put that sign up; so that way residents can see: ‘oh there's a plan of subdivision coming in here’ and they can go to that QR code, they can call staff, and we can provide further information to them,” Farquharson explained.
The proactive measures by town staff impressed Mayor Bill Gordon, who praised their efforts in the meeting.
“This is really progressive,” said Gordon, “and I love the fact that you guys are being forward thinking on this and providing more opportunities for people to get a deeper understanding of what's being developed in and around the community.
“QR code and all that extra data on the web page including the design pictures and things you don't normally get off just a static sign… I think is a great idea,” Gordon added.
“Kudos for being forward thinking on this, and even though you don't have to do it you're doing it anyway; and that's exactly the kind of service delivery that ratepayers in the community are looking for.”
He concluded by saying: “Slow clap for you guys. That's great. I can't wait to see these things, and be able to promote them around the town.”
The notice signs procedures and protocols update report is available in the council agenda on the town of Midland website.
Council meetings are held every third Wednesday, and can be viewed on Rogers TV cable channel 53, or through the livestream on the Rogers TV website. Archives of council meetings are available through Rogers TV and on the Town of Midland’s YouTube channel.
