May 13, 1998
To:Toronto Community Council
From:Commissioner of Urban Planning and Development Services
Subject:111 Queen=s Park, Application No. 998016: Request for approval of variances from Chapter 297, Signs, of the
former City of Toronto Municipal Code, upon application by The Brothers Markle, 3780 14th Avenue, Unit 103, Markham,
Ontario, L3R 9Y5, on behalf of Victoria University, 91 Charles Street West, Toronto, Ontario, M5S 1K7. (Downtown)
Purpose:
To review and make recommendations respecting an application for variances to permit two illuminated ground signs.
Financial Implications:
Not applicable.
Recommendations:
It is recommended that:
1.City Council approve Application No. 998016 respecting minor variances from Chapter 297, Signs, of the former City of
Toronto Municipal Code to permit two illuminated ground signs.
2. The applicant be advised, upon approval of Application No. 998016 , of the requirement to obtain the necessary permits
from the Commissioner of Urban Planning and Development Services.
Comments:
The property is located on the east side of Queen=s Park, south of Bloor Street West, in an Institutional (Q) district. The
property accommodates the George R. Gardiner Museum of Ceramic Art. The applicant is requesting permission to remove
an existing ground sign and install two new ground signs in the Queen=s Park frontage of the property (see Figure 1). The
signs each have a length of 5.0 metres and a height of 0.6 metres, with an area of 3.0 m5.
The signs do not comply with Chapter 297 of the Municipal Code in the following ways:
1. the area of each sign (3.0 m5) exceeds the maximum permitted area of 2.5 m5 by 0.5 m5; and
2. only one sign is permitted within the frontage of the lot.
The variances occur because the signs are larger and more numerous than permitted by the Municipal Code. The number of
signs as well as their size are regulated in order to reduce the visual impact of signs on the streetscape and on the buildings
to which they are attached.
The museum building is set back a considerable distance from the front lot line. The signs have been designed for the
purposes of building identification and would be located within a raised landscaped area on either side of the building=s
main entrance, oriented north and south. The positioning and orientation of the proposed signs reduces their visual impact
on the streetscape and, in my opinion, the signs are appropriately sized for their intended function.
I am recommending approval of this application, as I find the variances requested to be minor and within the general intent
and purpose of the sign provisions of the Municipal Code.
Contact Name:Lora Mazzocca
Telephone: (416) 392-0421
Fax: (416) 392-7536
E-Mail: lmazzocc@city.toronto.on.ca
Beate Bowron
Director, Development Approval and Deputy Chief Building Official
(p:\1998\ug\uds\pln\to981595.pln)
