(Report dated June 9, 1998, addressed to Toronto Community Council, from the Commissioner of Urban Planning and Development Services.)

Subject:14 Duncan Street, Application No. 998029: Request for approval of variances from Chapter 297, Signs, of the former City of Toronto Municipal Code, upon application by Pride Signs Ltd., 115 Turnball Crt., Cambridge, Ontario, N1T 1C6, on behalf of Selkirk Property Management, 184 Pearl Street, Toronto, Ontario, M5N 1L5. (Downtown)

Purpose:

To review and make recommendations respecting an application for variances to maintain one illuminated projecting sign.

Financial Implications:

Not applicable.

Recommendations:

It is recommended that:

1. City Council approve Application No. 998029 respecting minor variances from Chapter 297, Signs, of the former City of Toronto Municipal Code to permit one illuminated projecting sign, on condition that the sign does not contain flashing lights.

2. The applicant be advised, upon approval of Application No. 998029, of the requirement to obtain the necessary permits from the Commissioner of Urban Planning and Development Services.

Comments:

The property is located on the north-west corner of Duncan and Pearl Streets, in a reinvestment area (RA) district. The property accommodates a four storey commercial building. The applicant is requesting permission to maintain one illuminated projecting sign along the Duncan Street frontage of the building (see Figures 1 and 2). The projecting sign identifies the ground floor tenant of the building. The sign has a length of 1.83 metres and a height of 3.3 metres, with an area of 6.03 m5.

The sign does not comply with Chapter 297 of the Municipal Code in that:

1. the sign exceeds the permitted area of 0.1 square metre for each metre of the building frontage of the commercial unit. The permitted area is 0.92 square metres and the actual area is 6.03 square metres;

2. the sign exceeds the permitted thickness of 0.5 metres with an actual thickness of 0.939 metres; and

3. the sign overhangs a pedestrian walkway by more than 1 metre, with the actual projection being 2.13 metres.

Two other variances relating to animation of the sign and height from grade, which previously existed, have been eliminated by the applicant, who will be modifying the sign to bring it into closer compliance with the Municipal Code requirements.

The maximum area for a projecting sign is based on the amount of frontage the unit has on the street. The original proposal has been revised to reduce the area variance. Any further reduction of the area would require a new sign to be built, rather than a modification to the existing sign. The proposed area is acceptable.

The variances relating to thickness of sign and projection over the pedestrian walkway are acceptable. Neither variance will affect pedestrian movement or views.

I am recommending approval of this application, on condition that the sign not contain flashing lights, as I find the variances requested to be acceptable in this instance and within the general intent and purpose of the sign provisions of the Municipal Code.

Contact Name:

Raymond David

Telephone: (416) 392-7188

Fax: (416) 392-7536

E-Mail: rdavid@city.toronto.on.ca

(Copies of maps attached, are on file in the office of the City Clerk.)

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