October 27, 1998
TO:Chairman and Members
North York Community Council
FROM:Mr. Edward Tipping, P.Eng.
Director and Deputy Chief Building Official
SUBJECT:Proposed Billboard Roof Sign at 373 Wilson Ave.
(Sign Application S98-4186)
Purpose:
Evaluate and make a recommendation concerning a request by Ms. Raffaella Russo, for a
variance from the Sign By-law to permit the erection of illuminated 10 foot by 20 foot third
party billboard sign on the roof of an existing 2-storey commercial building at 373 Wilson
Ave.
Recommendations:
It is recommended that:
1)The request for a minor variance from the sign by-law be refused.
Council Reference/Background/History:
The building on which the sign is proposed is located in a commercial zone (C1). The
building fronts on to Wilson Ave. and the proposed sign would face east and west on the
south side of Wilson Ave. The building on which the sign is proposed contains various
retail and restaurant uses on the first floor with residential and office suites on the second
floor; this type of building is very common in this area and is mirrored in use along the
north and south sides of Wilson Ave. On the roof of the subject building there are three (3)
existing illuminated roof signs approximately ten feet by twenty feet each. The proposed
sign would be located approximately 100 feet west of the existing roof signs.
Section 5.2.1.1 of the Sign By-law for roof signs in a commercial zone requires that roof
signs be located no closer than 500 feet from another roof sign, on the same side of the
street.
Considering the various uses of the subject building and the various surrounding building,
the concentration of existing roof signs, the approval of this sign would result in a very
high concentration of roof signs within a small corridor and contribute to visual pollution of
the area. The Ward Councillors have been notified of this request and have been provided
with a copy of the report and attached plans.
Conclusions:
It is the opinion of this department that the proposed sign would;
- have negative impact on the area.
- not be a minor variance from the Sign By-law requirement.
- not be in keeping with the intent of the Sign By-law requirements.
Edward Tipping, P. Eng.,
Director & Deputy Chief Building Official
Attach.
cc.Councillor Joanne Flint
Councillor Milton Berger
Ms. Raffaella Russo