September 14, 1998

To:Toronto Community Council

From:Commissioner of Urban Planning and Development Services

Subject:888 Yonge Street, Application No. 998070: Request for approval of variances from Chapter 297, Signs, of the former City of Toronto Municipal Code, upon application by Patrick Little / Juxta Inc., 409 Front Street East, Toronto, Ont., M5A 1G9 on behalf of Baton Broadcasting Incorporated, P.O. Box 9, Station 'O', Toronto, Ontario, M4A 2M9. (Midtown)

Purpose:

To review and make recommendations respecting an application for variances to permit signage on each elevation of the historically designated building at 888 Yonge Street for identification purposes.

Financial Implications:

Not applicable.

Recommendations:

1. That City Council approve Application No. 998070 respecting minor variances from Chapter 297, Signs, of the former City of Toronto Municipal Code to permit seven illuminated non-encroaching fascia signs and two illuminated encroaching fascia signs.

2. That the applicant be advised, upon approval of Application No. 998070, 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 Yonge Street and Davenport Road, in a mixed use (Commercial-Residential) district. The property accommodates a historically designated building. The applicant is requesting permission to erect nine signs for identification purposes. The proposed signs are illustrated on the attached Figures 1- 5.

WEST ELEVATION:

The two proposed illuminated, non encroaching signs on the west elevation do not comply with Chapter 297 of the Municipal Code in the following way:

1. The illuminated "Comedy Network" logo fascia signs, will not be located 20 metres from a lot in a "G" (park) district, as required.

This provision, respecting minimum separation distance, is intended to reduce the impact of illuminated signs adjacent to parks. Both signs face west and though visible from the small parkette, they are not directed towards the park users. While the separation distance between the signs and the "G' (park) district is less than 20 metres, the actual distance between the signs and the park is greater than 20 metres. Therefore, the signs in question will not have an adverse impact on the users of this parkette.

NORTH ELEVATION:

The proposed illuminated, non encroaching sign on the north elevation does not comply with Chapter 297 of the Municipal Code in the following way:

1.The 34.8 m² illuminated fascia sign will exceed the maximum permitted 25 m² sign area by 9.8 m².

The variance relates to the size of the sign on the building. This provision restricts the size of signs in order to minimize their impact on the streetscape and on the buildings to which they are attached. The sign would be installed along a blank portion of the side wall between the second and third storeys. In this instance, the uses in the immediate vicinity are commercial in nature. In my opinion, the sign's excess size will not negatively impact the building, streetscape or adjacent uses.

SOUTHEAST CORNER: (first storey)

The proposed illuminated, encroaching sign on the southeast corner does not comply with Chapter 297 of the Municipal Code in the following ways:

1. The 14.6 m² illuminated encroaching sign will exceed the 30 % maximum required area of the building face of the first storey commercial unit.

2.The vertical minimum clearance between the public sidewalk and the lowest point of sign would be 0.9 metre instead of 2.5 metres as required by the Municipal Code.

3. The sign will be located less than 20 metres from a lot in a G (park) district.

The size and vertical clearance of signs are regulated in order to reduce the visual impact of signs on the streetscape and on the buildings to which they are attached and to ensure that pedestrian safety is maintained. In this case the sign has been sized and positioned to fit into the architectural recess at the corner of the building and it would project less than two inches beyond the property line. The applicant has been advised that this projection will have to be further reduced in order to satisfy the Ontario Building Code. It is my opinion that the sign will not create an unsafe condition for pedestrians.

Although visible from the parkette, the sign is directed towards motorists and pedestrians on Yonge Street and while the separation distance, between the sign and the "G' (park) district, is not 20 metres, the distance between the sign and the park is more than 20 metres. The sign should not negatively impact the park.

SOUTHEAST CORNER: (above second storey)

The proposed illuminated, encroaching sign on the southeast corner does not comply with Chapter 297 of the Municipal Code in the following ways:

1. The variance occurs because the sign will be erected above the second storey more than 10 metre above grade.

2. The sign will be located less than 20 metres from a lot in a G (park) district.

Signs are permitted to be located only within the first two storeys of a building. This provision restricts signs to their traditional locations in order to minimize the impact of signage on the building, on the streetscape and on upper floor residential units in the immediate vicinity. In this instance, there is no residential unit in the immediate vicinity and the sign consists of three modestly sized (1.8 m x 1.8 m) individual letters. The sign has been sized and positioned to complement the proportions of this narrow, rounded and recessed facade.

With respect to the minimum separation distance between illuminated signs and park, I would advise that the sign is directed towards Yonge Street motorists and pedestrians. Also, while the separation distance between the sign and the "G" (park) district is less than 20 metres, the distance between the sign and the park is more than 20 metres.

SOUTH ELEVATION:

The four proposed illuminated, non-encroaching fascia signs on the south elevation do not comply with Chapter 297 of the Municipal Code in the following way:

1. The signs will obstruct and interfere with windows of the building.

2. The signs will be located within 20 metres from a lot in a "G" (park) district.

The four illuminated signs on the south elevation of the building do not comply with provisions of Sign By-law 1994-0337 as they obstruct windows. However, the windows in question have been blocked by the previous owner to reduce sound transmission from the former concert hall and the new owner intends to use this premises for taping live comedy shows. Therefore, I have no concern with the blocked windows being covered by signage.

Again, while the separation distance between the signs and the "G' (park) district is less than 20 metres, the actual physical distance between the signs and the park is in excess of the required 20 metres separation distance.

Staff of the Heritage Toronto have reviewed the plans and have advised that they have no concerns.

I am recommending approval of this application, as I consider the requested variances to be minor and within the general intent and purpose of the sign provisions of the Municipal Code.

Contact Name:Norm Girdhar

Telephone: (416) 392-7209

Fax: (416) 392-7536

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

Beate Bowron

Director, Community Planning, South District

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