Report to: General Committee                                                 Report Date: February 13, 2007

 

 

SUBJECT:                          Wedding Photos – Unionville Main Street

PREPARED BY:               Darlene Barker, Extension 2128

 

 

 

RECOMMENDATION:

 

That a by-law be enacted to permit the use of public property for Wedding Photography;

 

And that a by-law be enacted to amend by-law 167-92, a by-law regarding the management and regulation of parks within the Town of Markham, to permit wedding photography;

 

And that by-law 2002-276, be amended to provide for a fee for a permit to conduct the activities of wedding photography on public property;

 

And that Staff be authorized and directed to do all things necessary to give effect to this resolution.

 

EXECUTIVE SUMMARY:

Not applicable

 

 

FINANCIAL CONSIDERATIONS:

Not applicable

 

1. Purpose                     2. Background                      3. Discussion                        4. Financial        

 

5. Others (Environmental, Accessibility, Engage 21st, Affected Units)             6. Attachment(s)

 

PURPOSE:

To establish a permit system for wedding photography.  The permit will facilitate monitoring of wedding photography by field staff and allow staff to immediately address nuisance and inappropriate behavior.

 

BACKGROUND:

On September 26, 2006, a report was received by Council from the Clerk outlining concerns associated with wedding photos taken along Main Street and Station Lane in Unionville.  The report also included, as Schedule A, a solution chart to address those problems.   The concerns of over zealous photographers can be addressed, in part, through a permit system.   Council approved a Public Meeting to gain input from the public regarding the Town’s intent to introduce a permitting system to address the identified concerns.

 

A Public Meeting was held on January 20, 2007.   Residents of Unionville attended and addressed Council at this meeting with their concerns of overzealous wedding photographers, undesirable and unlawful activities of the participants of the wedding parties and the illegal parking and idling of limousines.  The residents advised that they are supportive of a permitting system to regulate these activities.

 

The permitting system provides for alternative locations for taking wedding photographs where accommodation can be made for the parking of vehicles and ensures the activity does not overflow onto private property or public property that is inappropriate or unsafe.

 

OPTIONS/ DISCUSSION:

 

The intention is to enact a by-law to permit the use of public property and regulate the activities of photography of wedding parties, in addition to a by-law that amends the fees for services by-law.

 

Currently there is a by-law in place for the general management and regulation of parks within the Town of Markham, By-law 167-92, which is authorized by section 9 of the Ontario Municipal Act.  This by-law in part regulates activities, and in some cases prohibits certain activities in parks, without a permit. 

 

An amendment to by-law 167-92 is intended to define the word “meeting” to exclude wedding photography.

 

Area municipalities were consulted and Toronto, Vaughan and Richmond Hill all have by-laws and/or programs in place to require a permit for the activity of taking wedding photographs in their parks.

 

It is staff’s intention that the By-law to regulate highways be amended, to permit the use of sidewalks in Unionville for the photography of wedding parties.  This by-law is scheduled for review and amendments later this year.  Alternative parking for limousines and buses transporting wedding party participants to areas within Unionville has been arranged at William Berczy Public School.

 

Permit Process

 

It is intended that the Clerk’s Department will administer the permit process as part of the current total wedding package and the By-law and Enforcement Division will enforce the provisions of the by-law.

 

Applications for a permit will contain the information required to ensure the accountability of the participants to comply with the terms and conditions of the permit, and to ensure that the appropriate accommodations can be made for the participants at the location applied for.

 

Conditions to be Imposed

 

The following conditions of the permit are intended to address the concerns identified by the Clerk’s report to Council dated September 26, 2006.  Although some of the following conditions are a requirement of other laws not under the jurisdiction of the Municipal Act, it is intended that these are stated on the permit and communicated to potential permit holders in attempts to effect voluntary compliance with such laws, and the prevention of such occurrences.

  • The permit shall be made available for inspection by anyone on site during the activity of wedding photography
  • The permit is valid only for the dates and time at the location indicated
  • The persons named on the permit shall ensure the provisions of the permit are upheld
  • Alcoholic beverages or intoxicants of any kind must not be consumed on the premises
  • Trespassing on private property is prohibited
  • Vehicles must not be kept idling and must be parked in areas designated by this permit
  • This permit may be revoked for any condition herein that has not been complied with
  • All requirements of the Town of Markham Parks By-law must be complied with

 

Enforcement

 

A Municipal Law Enforcement Officer will be assigned to patrol the areas of concern on Saturdays and Sundays or additional days to ensure enforcement.  Electronic field equipment scheduled to be deployed in 2007 will assist the officer in determining the permits which have been issued for the areas, and assist with on site permit issuance where applicable.

                                 

Photo Areas

 

Identified areas for photo opportunities within designated parks will contain a sign notifying of the requirement for a permit and the penalties for not obtaining same.  It is expected that for each park area approved for a permit, there will be sufficient parking available to accommodate the number and size of vehicles expected, as determined by the permit application.  These areas will be permitted specifically for time and date.  Issuance and enforcement of permits will ensure that there is no more that one wedding party in the location at any given time.  Staff will report back to Committee with information on the locations selected throughout the Town.

 

Implementation

 

Upon enactment of the by-law, communication to the adjacent municipalities, churches in Markham, photographers, limousine and bus companies providing transportation and other wedding planning activities regarding the by-law will be undertaken.  The Clerk’s Department in consultation with Community Services Staff will be identifying appropriate sites and preparing them for wedding photographs beginning this summer.

 

Financial Considerations

 

The proposed fee for a permit is $100.   This fee will offset administration and enforcement expenditures related to the permit.

 

FINANCIAL TEMPLATE: (external link)

Not applicable

 

 

ENVIRONMENTAL CONSIDERATIONS:

Not applicable

 

 

ACCESSIBILITY CONSIDERATIONS:

Not applicable

 

ENGAGE 21ST CONSIDERATIONS:

Not applicable

 

 

BUSINESS UNITS CONSULTED AND AFFECTED:

Legal

 

 

RECOMMENDED

                            BY:    ________________________          ________________________

                                      Sheila Birrell,                                      Andy Taylor, Commissioner

                                      Town Clerk                                        Corporate Services