July 15, 1998
To:Toronto Community Council
From:Commissioner of Urban Planning and Development Services
Subject:2 King Street West, Application No. 998040: Request for approval of a variance
from Chapter 297, Signs, of the former City of Toronto Municipal Code, upon application
by Richard Fouchard Architect, 50 O'Connor Street, Suite 212, Ottawa, Ontario, K1P 6L2,
on behalf of National Trust Company, c/o Olympia & York Properties, 2 First Canadian
Place, Toronto, Ontario, M5X 1B5. (Downtown)
Purpose:
To review and make recommendations respecting an application for a variance to maintain
one illuminated fascia sign at 2 King Street West.
Financial Implications:
Not applicable.
Recommendations:
It is recommended that:
- City Council approve Application No. 998040 respecting a minor variance from Chapter
297, Signs, of the former City of Toronto Municipal Code to maintain one illuminated
fascia sign.
- The applicant be advised, upon approval of Application No. 998040, 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 King Street West and Yonge Street, in a
mixed-use (commercial/residential) district. The property accommodates a 20 storey
commercial building.
The building is listed under the City's Inventory of Heritage Properties. The applicant is
requesting permission to maintain one illuminated fascia sign on the east elevation of the
building which identifies the ground floor tenant (see Figures 1 and 2). The sign has a length
of 5.8 metres and a height of 0.6 metres, with an area of 3.5 m².
The sign does not comply with Chapter 297 of the Municipal Code in that it is not entirely
located within the tenant's commercial unit frontage. The Municipal Code requires that
signs be located on the portion of wall belonging to a particular commercial unit so that each
commercial unit is allowed to be identified. In this instance, signs on the ground floor level
have been designed to fit in between the building columns and the sign has not precluded the
provision of appropriate signage for the adjacent tenant.
Heritage Toronto staff have advised that they have no objection to this application.
I am recommending approval of this application, as I find the variance 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\to981669.pln)-ms
