(Report dated May 11, 1998, addressed to Toronto Community Council, from the Commissioner of Urban
Planning and Development Services.)
Subject:16 Clarence Square, Application No. 998014: Request for approval of a variance from Chapter 297, Signs,
of the former City of Toronto Municipal Code, upon application by Pattisson Outdoor c/o Just Cole, 2345 Yonge
Street, Toronto, Ontario, M4P 2E5, on behalf of 693399 Ontario Ltd., 110 Davenport Road, Toronto, Ontario,
M5R 3R3. (Downtown)
Purpose:
To review and make recommendations respecting an application for a variance to permit one non-illuminated
mural sign.
Financial Implications:
Not applicable.
Recommendation:
It is recommended that:
City Council refuse Application No. 998014 respecting a minor variance from Chapter 297, Signs, of the former
City of Toronto Municipal Code to permit one non-illuminated mural sign.
Comments:
The property is located on the north side of Clarence Square, between Spadina Avenue and Blue Jays Way, in a
reinvestment area (RA) district. The property accommodates a three storey row townhouse complex. The property
is listed on the City=s Inventory of Heritage Properties.
The applicant is requesting permission to erect one non-illuminated mural sign on the east wall of the building (see
Figure 1). The sign has a length of 12 metres and a height of 3.0 metres, with an area of 37 m5.
The sign does not comply with Chapter 297 of the Municipal Code in that third party signs are not permitted on
buildings listed or designated historical.
At its meeting dated October 6, 1997, the former City of Toronto Council passed By-law 1997-0606, which among
other things, prohibits third party fascia signs and mural signs on buildings listed or designated historical. City
Council took this action based on concerns raised by Heritage Toronto. According to staff at Heritage Toronto, side
and rear walls of historical buildings are often the most vulnerable to erosion because they are primarily
constructed of brick. It is the opinion of Heritage Toronto that repeated cleaning, glueing and painting of brick
walls or affixing of signage onto such buildings may deteriorate these walls or obscure important heritage features.
In this instance, Clarence Square is a unique historical urban square in the city and the row townhouses along this
street are good examples of a 19th century building type. It is their opinion that the size of the sign and its use for
the purposes of third party advertising distracts from the architecture of the building and the quality of the public
space. Although the mural would not be visible from the Clarence Square Park, it would be visible to motorists and
pedestrians travelling west on Wellington Street and approaching the park.
Given these reasons, I am recommending that this application be refused as I find the variance requested to be
significant and not 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
(Copies of attached Maps, are on file in the office of the City Clerk.)
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