November 5, 1998
To:Toronto Community Council
From:Commissioner of Urban Planning and Development Services
Subject:227 Church Street, Application No. 998075: Request for approval of a variance from Chapter 297, Signs, of the
former City of Toronto Municipal Code, upon application by Paul Ciraldi / Ciraldi & Company, 2467 Yonge Street,
Toronto, Ontario, M4P 2H6 on behalf of Bruno=s Fine Foods, 2009-A Avenue Road, Toronto, Ontario, M6C 3K5. (Ward
24 - Downtown)
Purpose:
To review and make recommendations respecting an application for a variance to permit one illuminated, fascia sign for
identification purposes at 227 Church Street.
Source of Funds:
Not applicable.
Recommendations:
That City Council approve Application No. 998075 respecting a minor variance from Chapter 297, Signs, of the former
City of Toronto Municipal Code to permit one illuminated, fascia sign at 227 Church Street.
Comments:
The property is located on the east side of Church Street, between Dundas Street East and Shuter Street, in a mixed-use
district. The property accommodates a two storey building with a restaurant at grade. The applicant is requesting
permission to replace an existing illuminated, canopy sign with a back-lit, illuminated, fascia sign consisting of individual
letters for identification purposes (see Figure 1). The sign has a length of 5.4 metres and a height of 0.61 metre, with an
area of 3.3 m5.
The proposed sign does not comply with Chapter 297 of the Municipal Code in the following way:
1. The proposed sign does not meet the definition of a fascia sign.
The variance occurs because the proposed sign does not meet the definition of a fascia sign. As defined by the Municipal
Code, a fascia sign is to be mounted wholly against the wall or parapet wall of the building. The intent of this provision is
to prevent and limit the possible negative impact of signage on the appearance of buildings to which they are attached and
on adjacent uses. In this instance, the proposed sign, which is comprised of individual letters, though not directly attached
to the wall of the building, will be mounted on top of a 0.2 metre wide decorative moulding, which is mounted against the
front wall of the building. It is my opinion, that the sign closely resembles a fascia sign and it will not negatively impact
the building, streetscape or the surrounding uses.
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:
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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