September 14, 1998

To:Toronto Community Council

From:Commissioner of Urban Planning and Development Services

Subject:1345 Queen Street East, Application No. 998037: Request for approval of a variance from Chapter 297, Signs, of the former City of Toronto Municipal Code, upon application by Omni Outdoor, 45 St. Clair Avenue West, Suite #901, Toronto, Ontario, M4V 1K9, on behalf of G. Arhontoudis, c/o Blue Sky Auto, 1345 Queen Street East, Toronto, Ontario, M4L 1E2. (East Toronto)

Purpose:

To review and make recommendations respecting an application for a variance to maintain one illuminated ground sign for third party advertising at 1345 Queen Street East.

Financial Implications:

Not applicable.

Recommendations:

It is recommended that:

1. City Council approve Application No. 998037 respecting a minor variance from Chapter 297, Signs, of the former City of Toronto Municipal Code to maintain one illuminated ground sign for third party advertising on condition that the west facing sign panel 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. 998037, of the requirement to obtain the necessary permits from the Commissioner of Urban Planning and Development Services.

Comments:

The property is located on the south side of Queen Street East, west of Knox Avenue, in a mixed-use (commercial/residential) district. The property accommodates a one storey commercial building. The applicant is requesting permission to maintain one illuminated ground sign at the north-west corner of the property (see Figures 1 & 2). The sign has a length of 3.6 metres and a height of 4.8 metres, with an area of 17.3 m².

The sign does not comply with Chapter 297 of the Municipal Code in that a third party ground sign is not permitted in a mixed-use (commercial/residential) district.

On February 13, 1996, Urban Planning and Development Services issued permit no. 380703 to allow the installation of one illuminated, third party ground sign on the west side of this property. This variance application has been filed because the ground sign was installed 0.45 metres too close to the west property line and a revision to the permit was denied because third party ground signs are no longer permitted in this district.

At its meeting of April 2, 1996, the former City of Toronto Council passed By-law No. 1996-0172 to amend Chapter 297, Signs, of the Municipal Code to prohibit third party ground and pedestal signs in CR and MCR districts throughout the city. This regulation is aimed at reducing sign proliferation in the city's commercial/residential districts. Signs which were legally erected prior to the passing of the by-law and which do not conform to the current sign provisions of the Municipal Code are permitted to remain with a legal non-conforming status.

The ground sign has been a source of concern for the owner of the residential building immediately to the west. However, the applicant has advised, and a recent site visit has confirmed, that neither the sign nor its supporting elements encroach onto the adjacent property and the light sources have been shielded to prevent light from spilling over onto the adjacent residential properties. In areas where ground signs are currently permitted there is no sideyard setback requirement and in my opinion, closer compliance would not meaningfully improve the existing conditions. However, I am concerned about the potentially negative impact of the illuminated sign on the adjacent residential uses west of the site. Consequently I am requesting that the hours of illumination be controlled by means of an automatic timing device.

As a permit was issued for a ground sign prior to the prohibition of such signs and given that modifications were made to the sign to address the concerns of the neighbouring owner, I am recommending approval of this application to permit the maintenance of the illuminated ground sign with the above-noted condition. I have consulted with the applicant and he concurs with this recommendation.

Contact Name:Lora Mazzocca

Telephone: (416) 392-0421

Fax: (416) 392-7536

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

Beate Bowron

Director, Community Planning, South District

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