July 2, 1998
To:Corporate Services Committee
From:Commissioner of Corporate Services
Subject:Signboard Locations on City-owned Property
(High Park, Davenport, Midtown, Downtown, Don River)
Purpose:
To report on a tendering process for 3 signboard locations and the termination of
agreements for 6 signboard locations in the former City of Toronto arising from the
recommendations made by the Commissioner of Urban Planning and Development Services
in Toronto Community Council Report #5(45) as adopted by City Council on May 13 and
14, 1998.
Financial Implications:
For the 3 signboards at 3 locations recommended to be maintained and tendered, current
revenues of $4,200.00 should be improved. For the 8 signboards at 6 locations
recommended to be terminated, there is a loss of revenue in the amount of $11,500.00 per
annum.
Recommendations:
It is recommended that:
(1)the existing signboard agreements for the 8 signs located at 1873 Bloor Street West, 756
Eastern Avenue, 307 MacPherson Avenue, 315 MacPherson Avenue, 325 MacPherson
Avenue and 120 Harbour Street (Application Nos. 997111, 997113, 997114, 997115,
997116 and 997120 respectively) be terminated upon giving 90 days notice to the lessee and
the signboards be removed;
(2)a tender be issued for the 3 signboard locations approved for variances requesting bids to
lease the 3 signboards and maintain the signboards in compliance with Chapter 297 - Signs
for the locations at 744 Dundas Street East, 423 Old Weston Road and 120 Harbour Street
(Application Nos. 997112, 997117 and 997120 respectively). Upon the award of the tender,
the existing leases are to be terminated and new lease(s) entered into with the successful
tenderer; and
(3)the appropriate officials take whatever action is deemed necessary to give effect to this
report.
Background:
At its meeting dated October 6 & 7, 1997, the former City of Toronto Council adopted ECR
#23(65) from the Commissioner of Corporate Services respecting existing signboard
locations on City-owned properties. The report identified that there were 13 existing third
party signs located on ten City-owned properties that currently generate revenue to the City.
Eight of the locations are operated by Mediacom pursuant to a long standing blanket
agreement. The other 2 locations were assigned to the City from the Toronto Harbour
Commissioners and Queens Quay West Land Corporation. Two of the locations containing
single signs were withdrawn. Recommendation # 2 of this report provided that the
Commissioner, Corporate Services be requested to issue a proposal call for those sign
locations for which a variance is approved and take appropriate action to terminate the
existing agreements.
Applications were made to the Commissioner of Urban Planning and Development Services
to determine if variances to bring the 11 signs at 8 separate locations, as shown on the
attached key maps, into conformity with Municipal Code, Chapter 297 - Signs should be
approved.
At its meeting held on May 6 & 7, 1998, Toronto Community Council gave consideration
to the recommendations made by the Commissioner of Urban Planning and Development
Services in Report # 5(45). The Toronto Community Council adopted the Clause without
amendment and City Council also adopted the Clause on May 13 & 14, 1998. Set out below
are the abbreviated recommendations:
No. |
Address/
Application No. |
Ward
No. |
Sign Type |
Council Recommendation of
May 13 & 14, 1998 |
1. |
1873 Bloor St. W.
(97111) |
19 |
Illuminated
Ground |
Refuse application - variance
required would be significant |
2. |
744 Dundas St. E.
(997112) |
25 |
Illuminated
Ground |
Approve application - variance
required is minor |
3. |
756 Eastern
Avenue
(997113) |
25 |
Illuminated
Ground |
Refuse application - variance
required would be significant |
4.(a) |
120 Harbour Street
(997120) |
24 |
3
Illuminated
Ground |
Refuse application - variance
required would be significant |
4.(b) |
120 Harbour Street
(997120) |
24 |
1 Pedestal |
Approve application on the
condition of setback by 2 Metres
from south and east property
lines |
5. |
307 MacPherson
Ave.
(997114) |
23 |
Illuminated Ground |
Refuse application - variance
required would be significant |
6. |
315 MacPherson
Ave.
(997115) |
23 |
Illuminated
Ground |
Refuse application - variance
required would be significant |
7. |
325 MacPherson
Ave.
(997116) |
23 |
Illuminated Ground |
Refuse application - variance
required would be significant |
8. |
423 Old Weston
Road
(997117) |
21 |
Illuminated Ground |
Approve application - variance
required is minor |
Comments:
In accordance with the former City of Toronto Council direction, it is proposed that the
Commissioner of Corporate Services be requested to issue a tender for those 3 signboard
locations for which a variance is approved. In order for the City to maximize its revenue for
the 3 signboards recommended for variance at 744 Dundas Street East, 120 Harbour Street
and 423 Old Weston Road, a tender should be issued as soon as possible to prospective
proponents requesting bids to maintain the signboards in compliance with Municipal Code,
Chapter 297 - Signs and in accordance with Application Nos. 997112, 997117 and 997120.
The successful proponent would of course be responsible for obtaining all necessary permits
required from the Commissioner of Urban Planning and Development Services. These 3
locations currently generate annual revenue in the amount of $4,200.00 and this revenue
should be improved as a result of the tender.
With respect to 8 signboards which were not recommended for variance it is noted that, as
the existing signs are legal non-conforming, they can remain on that property if the City so
wishes as long as the existing structure remains in place. This effectively eliminates any
tendering opportunity as the existing lessee has the right to remove the sign at the end of the
lease and the sign cannot be replaced. The City could re-negotiate the rental rate with the
current signboard companies to attempt to improve the revenues. The 8 signboards currently
generate annual revenue in the amount of $11,500.00.
Following the adoption of the foregoing report [TCC #5(45)], each of the Ward Councillors
were requested to provide their input as to whether or not the existing contract should be
terminated and these 8 signs removed or the signs maintained subject to revenue being
maximized to the extent possible with the current lessee. Each of the Ward Councillors
support that the variances not be granted and the signs removed.
Conclusion:
In view of the recommendations of the Commissioner of Urban Planning & Development
Services to refuse the variance applications and the positions of the Ward Councillors, it is
concluded that the most appropriate action is to terminate the leases for the 8 signboards and
to issue a tender requesting bids to lease and maintain the 3 signboard locations in
compliance with Municipal Code, Chapter 297 - Signs.
Contact Name:
Rhonda Anderson, Telephone - 392-1854, Fax - 392-1880, E-mail -
randerso@city.toronto.on.ca (cs98091.wpd)
Margaret Rodrigues
Commissioner, Corporate Services