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In an attempt to conserve the character of the picturesque holiday town of Knynsa, the local municipality approved a bylaw to regulate outdoor advertising, heritage and building aesthetics.
Knynsa municipal manager Lauren Waring said the bylaw sought to conserve the character and aesthetic quality of the built environment in the greater Knysna area. "Development and growth over the past decade has had implications on the aesthetic value of the town. From solar panels and satellite dishes to advertising banners and elaborately painted buildings, the profile of the town has changed and hence the old bylaws [relating to the town's aesthetics] had to be adapted to address new challenges," Waring said.
"Once Gazetted, the new bylaw will work towards a well-maintained and attractive townscape and landscape, conserve and enhance the historic and traditional character of the town, address communication needs, contribute to the conservation of tourism resources, and promote public safety and welfare. The long term results will include a proper platform from which Knysna can be marketed and a sustainable settlement which may ultimately lead to increased property values and economic investment."
Philip Caveney of the Knysna Historical Society said the bylaw should control the proliferation of "unacceptable advertising signage", including billboards, which he believed had been poorly controlled in the past and had become an eye-sore in town.
"It has contributed to the deteriorating impression the town leaves on first-time tourists," Caveney said.
"Repeat visitors are so essentially needed, as well as the fact that they pass on their good impressions to future new visitors."
Waring said the implementation of the bylaw included the establishment of an Advertising, Heritage and Aesthetics Committee, an outdoor advertising levy and regulations regarding technical equipment such as solar panels and satellite dishes.
"Outdoor advertising in particular has proliferated throughout town and, while this highly visual medium is an indicator of economic growth, it also has the potential to detrimentally affect the appearance and character of the town if not properly managed. The bylaw aims to address the need for businesses to advertise within a framework that will be environmentally sensitive, socially responsible and displayed on structures that are aesthetically pleasing and suited to the area in which they are put up."
Knysna Tourism marketing manager Johan van Schalkwyk agreed and added that the aesthetics of the town was part of its tourism appeal. "I just don't know how the municipality is going to govern existing material," Van Schalkwyk said.
Caveney said the only weakness of the bylaw was that it could not control the proliferation of billboard advertising and other advertorial signage on state property.
The bylaw outlines the legal requirements with regard to aspects such as application procedures, safety, amenity and decency. The design and construction of signs, offences and penalties, as well as the types of signs and regulation of their display, are also covered. It also provides incentives to promote the conservation and character of the area.
While an outdoor advertising levy will apply to all properties where business is conducted, up to 100% of the levy could be waivered if businesses comply with stipulations in the bylaw such as compliance with a signage master plan, if buildings are painted in natural colours, and building plans are correct. Cost of the levy will be determined and applied in the 2013/2014 budget and applicable from July 2014. Until then, application for signage tariffs remain.
Regulations also include the temporary display of signage at sporting events, festivals and exhibitions. Other aesthetic stipulations in this Bylaw apply to solar panels, aerials, satellite dishes, external air-conditioning units and other technical apparatus that may be visible from the road.
