September 14, 1998

To:Toronto Community Council

From:Commissioner of Urban Planning and Development Services

Subject:125 Chatsworth Drive, Application No. 998054: Request for approval of variances from Chapter 297, Signs, of the former City of Toronto Municipal Code, upon application by Dominic Rotundo, 453 Chancellor Drive, Woodbridge, Ont., L4L 5E1 on behalf of Toronto Board of Education, Lawrence Park Collegiate, 125 Chatsworth Drive, Toronto, Ontario, M4L 3C3. (North Toronto)

Purpose:

To review and make recommendations respecting an application for variances to permit one illuminated ground sign for identification purposes at 125 Chatsworth Drive.

Financial Implications:

Not applicable.

Recommendations:

That City Council approve Application No. 998054 respecting minor variances from Chapter 297, Signs, of the former City of Toronto Municipal Code to permit one illuminated ground sign at premises 125 Chatsworth Drive.

Comments:

The property is located on the south-west corner of Lawrence Avenue West and Chatsworth Drive, in a residential district. The property accommodates Lawrence Park Collegiate Institute. The applicant is requesting permission to erect one illuminated ground sign for identification purposes (see Figure 1). The sign has a length of 1.6 metres and a height of 1.7 metres, with an area of 2.7 m².

The sign does not comply with Chapter 297 of the Municipal Code in the following ways:

1. the area of the proposed sign (2.7 m²) will exceed the maximum permitted area of 2.5 m² by 0.2 m²; and

2. the proposed sign will not be erected between the front lot line and the main wall of the building as required.

The first variance occurs because the sign will be 0.2 m² larger than permitted by the Municipal Code. Signs in residential districts are required to be small and low in order to limit any negative impact on the streetscape and on neighbouring residential uses. Given that the closest residential property from which the sign would be visible would be approximately 30 metres away and across Chatsworth Drive, the sign would not have an adverse impact on the neighbouring residential uses.

Respecting the second variance, the Municipal Code requires that the sign be erected between the front lot line and the main wall of the building. The school building is situated on a corner lot and in this instance the sign would be located 2.0 metres inside the side lot line, near the south-west corner of Lawrence Avenue West and Chatsworth Drive. It would be directed toward motorists and pedestrians on both Lawrence Avenue West and Chatsworth Drive. I do not feel that the proposed sign would have an adverse impact on the surrounding neighbourhood.

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: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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