October 7, 1998
To:Toronto Community Council
From:Commissioner of Urban Planning and Development Services
Subject:1 Dundas Street West (250 Yonge Street), Application No. 998077: Request for approval of variances from
Chapter 297, Signs, of the former City of Toronto Municipal Code, upon application by Murphy Hilgers Architects Inc.,
10 Brentcliffe Road, Suite 212, Toronto, Ontario, M4G 3Y2, on behalf of Cadillac Fairview Corporation Ltd., 20 Queen
Street West, Toronto, Ontario, M5H 3R4. (Downtown)
Purpose:
To review and make recommendations respecting an application for variances to permit two non-illuminated fascia signs
and one illuminated fascia sign at 1 Dundas Street West.
Source of Funds:
Not applicable.
Recommendations:
It is recommended that:
1. City Council approve Application No.998077 respecting minor variances from Chapter 297, Signs, of the former City
of Toronto Municipal Code to permit two non-illuminated fascia signs and one illuminated fascia sign.
2. The applicant be advised, upon approval of Application No. 998077, of the requirement to obtain the necessary permits
from the Commissioner of Urban Planning and Development Services.
Comments:
The property is located on a block bounded by Dundas Street West, Yonge Street, Bay Street and Queen Street West, in a
mixed-use (commercial residential) district. The property is known as the Toronto Eaton Centre.
The applicant is requesting permission to install signage on the east elevation of the building in conjunction with the
renovation of the Toronto Eaton Centre's Yonge Street facade (see Figure 1). The facade renovation includes the addition
of new storefronts, mirroring the pattern of typical storefronts found on the east side of Yonge Street. The renovation also
includes new signage opportunities, consistent with the Downtown Yonge Street Regeneration Program initiative, the
aim of which is to revitalize Yonge Street as Toronto's main shopping and entertainment street. The proposed signs have
dimensions as follows:
1.non-illuminated fascia sign "A", has a length of 2.7 metres and a height of 0.8 metres, with an area of 2.2 m²;
2.illuminated fascia sign "B", has a length of 3.6 metres and a height of 4.2 metres, with an area of 15.6 m²; and
3.non-illuminated fascia sign "C", has a length of 4.7 metres and a height of 1.8 metres, with an area of 8.5 m².
The signs do not comply with Chapter 297 of the Municipal Code in the following ways:
1. fascia sign "A" will obstruct and interfere with windows of the building;
2. the area of sign of fascia sign "B" will exceed 15% of the building face of the second storey commercial unit; and
3. fascia sign "C" will not be mounted wholly against the wall of the building and will be erected above the second storey
level and more than 10 metres above grade.
The first variance occurs because the entire building is glazed making it impossible to display signs without partially
obstructing windows. In this instance, however, the sign ( sign "A" ) is used to identify the municipal address of the
property and would be mounted on top of the proposed entrance canopy approximately 2.0 metres from the building face
and would not negatively affect views or light transmission.
The second variance occurs because fascia sign "B" would be larger than permitted on the second floor. The Municipal
Code allows fascia signs on the second floor provided the area of the signs does not exceed 15 percent of the building
face of that storey. This application is the first phase of new signage to be affixed to the new Eaton Centre facade which
will add interest and excitement along this section of Yonge Street, consistent with the revitalization policies for this area.
Further, the larger than permitted area of sign is acceptable given the building's long facade and large mass. The third
variance occurs because fascia sign "C" would be attached to the curved parapet instead of the wall of the building at a
height of 10.2 metres above grade. The sign consists of 1.8 metre high individual letters that would run horizontally
across a newly constructed parapet. While the sign would be located above the 2nd storey level, a substantial portion of
the sign would be located below 10 metres and has been designed to complement the facade which is currently being
renovated.
Given these reasons, 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: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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