Dark future for bright billboard

The owner of a controversialelectronic billboardin downtown Winnipeg has lost his bid to keep the sign up.

The Standing Policy Committee on Property and Development voted on Tuesday to deny Ray Rybachuk the "certificate of suitability" requiredfor thesign, which went up on the side of the Boyd Building in October.

Thethree-storey high sign was installed without the proper permits, according to city officials. Rybachuk put it up despite the city's historical buildings committee declininga requestto have it placed on the side of the 98-year-old Portage Avenue building.

Coun. Harvey Smith said city inspectors have told the owners to get the sign approved andseveralseniorswho live at Fred Douglas Place, about a block away from the Boyd Building, get a full view of the glare that flashes brightly as it rotates through the various advertising.

Gordon McDiarmid, whospoke to the committee Tuesday on behalf ofthe residents of nearbyFred Douglas Place,called the illumination from LED bulbs on the sign "highly intrusive" and "disturbing."

He said it is akin tohavingan outdoor movie theatre "right outside our window 24 hours a day."

No date has been set as to when the sign must come down.City officials must firstdraft the removal order.

As well,Rybachuck can appealTuesday's decision by the Standing Policy Committee on Property and Development.