DateOctober 28, 1998

To:East York Community Council

From:Douglas Walker

Manager, Field Office

Subject:Request for Variance from Sign By-law requirements for Governor's Bridge Estates Sign on Bayview Avenue at Nesbit Drive

Purpose:The developer of the above property proposes to erect a sign incidental to construction and land development for marketing the new homes proposed to be constructed at this site. A variance from the Sign By-law requirements is required, because the sign is not permitted as proposed.

Financial Implications:

There are no financial implications.

Recommendations:

"It is recommended that:

(1)Council approve the variance from the Sign By-law requirements to permit the installation of a single sign incidental to construction and land development having an aggregate area of 37.16 square metres (400 square feet) and an overall height of 6.1 metres (20 feet) for the Governor's Bridge Estates on Bayview Avenue at Nesbit Drive;

(2)the appropriate City Officials be authorized and directed to take the necessary action to give effect thereto; and

(3)the sign approval to be subject to the following conditions:

i)one sign only shall be permitted on the land under construction or development;

ii)the sign shall be removed at the expense of the owner, forthwith upon completion of such construction or land development, or, if not removed, within ten days after the mailing of notice by the inspector, to such owner, requiring removal.

iii)the applicant for the permit sign shall deposit with the treasurer of the City of Toronto the sum of five hundred dollars ($ 500.00) to guarantee the removal of the sign. This deposit will be returned to the applicant if the sign is removed after the said notice from the inspector. The Chief Building Official shall have the right to remove the sign and the cost of any such removal shall be deducted from the deposit and any balance remaining shall be paid to the applicant. All the above require that the sign is erected only upon the privately owned property upon which construction or land development is taking place."

Background:

The Municipal Act authorizes Council to pass by-laws for prohibiting or regulating signs and advertising devices. The Act also authorizes Council to grant minor variances from the by-law where such variances, in the opinion of Council, would maintain the general intent of the by-law.

Comments:

The Sign By-law allows signs incidental to construction and land development subject to certain restrictions and regulations relating to sign area, height, number of signs, duration and removal of signs. In cases where the requirements of the by-law are not complied with, a request for variance may be submitted to the Council for its consideration. This report deals with such a request for variance.

The subject property is located along the west side of Bayview Avenue south of Nesbitt Drive. The 5.235 hectare site is currently vacant, but it is proposed to be developed with sixty four (64) single family detached houses.

The request for variance arises because Article 5.1(b) of Sign By-law No. 64-87 permits the installation of one sign, incidental to construction and land development, not exceeding 23 square metres in area, or a group of signs not exceeding 23 square metres of aggregate sign area, while the applicant proposes to install one sign with an area of 37.16 square metres (400 square feet).

The purpose of the sign is to advertize the development wishes to take advantage of the large open area around the site and construct a sign larger than what is permitted by the by-law.

Conclusion:

Staff is of the opinion that this type of sign is to be expected with land development and that the installation of the sign on this site will not adversely impact the neighborhood due to the large open space around the sign and its great distance from other residential properties.

Contact Name and Telephone Number:

Iraklis (Eric) Tsotsos

778-2239