A Bunch of Figures

I have to give the figures and they have to be read to get this point across.

On Christmas Eve I found myself in front of the newly renovated Shoppers Drug Mart. It was a beacon of light in a sea of darkness. I sat in front of it for ten minutes enjoying the incredibly cheerful scene.

Two storeys of light illuminated store shelves, Christmas trees and wreaths, people on stairs with the elevator sliding up and down behind them. It was a delight. Something I had never seen before in Aurora. The downtown block is always cheerful of course but not like this.

While being built, there was no indication it would look like this. It had been a small Canadian Tire warehouse structure.

On completion, an application was made for a sign plan and a sign variance. Staff processed it and recommended approval.

Council said no.

To say I was aghast is putting it mildly.

A couple of weeks ago I saw e-mails between Councillor Wilson and the Mayor. Shoppers had obtained a temporary banner sign permit for across the back of the building. It was to expire on March 31st and staff were on alert to make sure it came down by the final date on the permit.

Shoppers have three stores in Aurora. All of them beautiful . I asked for financial particulars of this latest project.

Construction was worth two million dollars.Interior renovations almost half a million . The permit fee was $16k for inside and out.

Town's development charge was $44,473.09. Region's $70,909. Education's$1,652. and appraisal fee was $2,467.

When all of that money had been expended and the building completed, the application was made for signs. The plan was for five including directional. Sign Value $60,000.,construction $12,000. and permit $375.

A variance application was made at the same time at a cost of $450. An additional sign at $12K., and permit at $175. It was refused.

The building currently has a dinky little sign on the front corner...the same on the great long on the south side and none at all on the long dark back wall, facing oncoming traffic on Edward Street. Canadian Tire Gas Bar obscures the building from oncoming traffic from the south. Signage is needed for the carriage trade to know they are there.

A failed store means a substantial loss of revenue to the town.

After all that private money was invested in the town, our assessment improved by two and a half million dollars . D.C. levies were collected in an amount of almost $120K, a sign variance application was made at a cost of $450, processed, recommended by staff and turned down by council.

A fee paid, work completed, nothing accomplished. .

The final irony was the Mayor's proclamation 2009 would be the Year of Aurora's Business Initiative. There was also the Mayor's constant reminder during budget discussions of how council and staff had to be mindful of hard times being experienced by local business.

Look no further