Above watch: The quiet residential streets, green space and lake front properties of Beaconsfield may soon be facing a massive electronic billboard. As Tim Sargeant reports, the sign could bring in cash for the town’s coffers.
BEACONSFIELD – A new way to raise fast cash is catching on with the mayor of Beaconsfield.
Georges Bourelle is considering allowing a new electronic billboard to be built on the public works property on Beaurepaire Drive near the intersection of City Lane.
Bourelle tells Global News the high definition sign will bring in the equivalent tax revenues of 100 average-sized homes, or more than $300,000 annually.
“This could potentially be a very lucrative situation and deal for the city,” he said.
The board will be targeted for drivers to see along highway 20 for hundreds of metres.
“I’m sure they (billboard builders) wanted it in an area where they would get the most impact in terms of their advertising,” he said.
The green light hasn’t been given to the billboard proposal, but already some people are complaining.
Dennis Partington worries about the visual pollution an electronically glowing billboard operating 24/7 would create for residents living in the hundreds of homes in the direct line of vision. And the long-time resident fears a dangerous legal precedent will be set.
“Once you’ve said you can have one what is your excuse for not agreeing to the second one, the third one?” he asked rhetorically. “You’ve already got the precedent.”
Others agree.
“I think it’s enough already,” Jim Birnie said.
Public consultations will be held on May 25.
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