(Report dated June 9, 1998, addressed to Toronto Community Council, from the Commissioner of Urban Planning and
Development Services.)
Subject:20 Eglinton Avenue East, Application No. 993063: Request for approval of variances from Chapter 297, Signs, of
the former City of Toronto Municipal Code, upon application by Cieslock Outdoor, 81 Peter Street, 2nd Floor, Toronto,
Ontario, M5V 2G4, on behalf of 20 Eglinton Commercial Centre Inc., 1230 Sheppard Avenue West, Unit 1, North York,
Ontario, M3K 1Z9. (North Toronto)
Purpose:
To review and make recommendations respecting an application for variances to maintain one illuminated fascia sign at 20
Eglinton Avenue East.
Financial Implications:
Not applicable.
Recommendations:
It is recommended that:
1. City Council approve Application No. 9930063 respecting minor variances from Chapter 297, Signs, of the former City
of Toronto Municipal Code to maintain one illuminated fascia sign on condition that the sign only be illuminated between
the hours of 7:00 a.m. and 11:00 p.m. and that this be controlled by means of an automatic timing device.
2. The applicant be advised, upon approval of Application No. 993063, 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 Eglinton Avenue, east of Yonge Street, in a mixed-use (commercial/residential)
district. The property accommodates a five storey commercial building. The applicant is requesting permission to maintain
one illuminated fascia sign on the east elevation of the building for the purposes of third party advertising (see Figure 1).
The sign has a length of 5.8 metres and a height of 7.6 metres, with an area of 44 m5.
The sign does not comply with Chapter 297 of the Municipal Code in the following ways:
1. the area of the sign (44 m5) exceeds the maximum permitted area of 25 m5 by 19 m5; and
2. the sign extends above the fourth storey of the building.
The first variance occurs because the sign is larger than permitted by the Municipal Code. The size of sign is regulated in
order to reduce the visual impact of signs on the streetscape and on the buildings to which they are attached. The property
is situated mid-block along a commercial section of Eglinton Avenue which is characterized by tall buildings and a variety
of sign types. The sign is located on a blank side wall of the building and is appropriately sized in order to be visible in this
mid-block location.
The second variance occurs because the sign is higher than permitted by the Municipal Code. On October 6 & 7, 1997, the
former City of Toronto Council amended the sign regulations of Chapter 297 of the Municipal Code to limit the height of
third party fascia and mural signs on the side walls of buildings to a maximum of four storeys or 15 metres above grade in
CR and MCR districts. This new regulation is aimed at preserving the appearance of the commercial streetscape and
minimizing the negative impact of illuminated signs on adjacent residential uses. The sign is located within the upper three
storeys of this five storey building and does not, in my opinion, adversely impact the streetscape or the surrounding
commercial uses. There are no existing residential uses in the immediate vicinity from which the sign is visible. However,
the lands abutting Eglinton Avenue East are zoned to permit residential development and residential use is likely to occur
on the south side of the street. Therefore, it would be appropriate to limit the hours of illumination of the existing sign.
I am recommending approval of this application with controls on the hours of illumination, 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.)
(p:\1998\ug\uds\pln\to981635.pln) - smc
