(Report dated June 1, 1998, addressed to Toronto Community Council, from the Commissioner of Urban Planning and
Development Services.)
Subject:2014 Queen Street East, Application No. 998021: Request for approval of variances from Chapter 297, Signs, of
the former City of Toronto Municipal Code, upon application by Yaso Somalingam, 167 Caster Avenue, Unit #8,
Woodbridge, Ontario, L4L 5Y8, on behalf of Linmar Investment Corporation Ltd., 2 Wheeler Avenue, Toronto, Ontario,
M4L 3V2. (East Toronto)
Purpose:
To review and make recommendations respecting an application for variances to maintain one illuminated awning sign at
2014 Queen Street East.
Financial Implications:
Not applicable.
Recommendations:
It is recommended that:
1. City Council approve Application No. 998021 respecting minor variances from Chapter 297, Signs, of the former City of
Toronto Municipal Code to maintain one illuminated awning sign.
2. The applicant be advised, upon approval of Application No. 998021, 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 side of Queen Street East, in a mixed-use (commercial/residential) district. The
property accommodates a three storey mixed-use building containing residential uses on the upper storeys and commercial
uses on the ground floor. The applicant is requesting permission to maintain one illuminated awning sign on the south
elevation of the building (see Figure 1). The sign has a length of 5.5 metres and a height of 1.2 metres, with an area of
6.6m5.
The sign does not comply with Chapter 297 of the Municipal Code in the following ways:
1. the sign is not entirely located within the tenant=s commercial unit frontage;
2. the sign exceeds the maximum area of sign permitted of 30% of the first storey building face; and
3. the sign is located within 20 metres from a lot in a park district.
The first variance occurs because the sign extends over the doorway which provides access to the second and third floors.
The Municipal Code requires signs to be located on the portion of wall belonging to the particular commercial unit so that
each commercial unit is allowed to be identified. In this instance, however, residential uses occupy the two upper storeys
and the sign does not adversely affect the tenants= enjoyment of these units.
The second variance relates to the maximum sign area permitted on the ground floor. The Municipal Code permits signs to
be located within the first two storeys of a building and regulates the area of signs to 30% of the building face on the first
floor and 15% of the building face on the second floor. The intent of these provisions is to limit the possible negative
impact of signage on buildings and on the streetscape. In this instance, the awning sign is consistent with many of the
existing signs that have been erected along this section of Queen Street and is not, in my opinion, unnecessarily prominent.
The third variance occurs because the sign does not meet the required 20 metre minimum separation distance for
illuminated signs adjacent to parks. This provision respecting minimum separation distance is intended to reduce the
negative impact of illuminated signs adjacent to parks. In this instance, the sign is located only 0.45 metres closer to the
park than permitted and it is well within the permitted 25 m5 size limit for awning signs in this district. Therefore, I
consider the variance to be acceptable.
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
(Copies of maps attached, are on file in the office of the City Clerk.)
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