November 5, 1998

To:Toronto Community Council

From:Commissioner of Urban Planning and Development Services

Subject:366 Adelaide Street East, Application No. 998083: Request for approval of a variance from Chapter 297, Signs, of the former City of Toronto Municipal Code, upon application by Archie A. Dick / Artopex Plus Inc. 366 Adelaide Street East, Suite 103, Toronto, ON, M5A 3X9 on behalf of 1102758 Ontario Limited, Suite 302, 411 Richmond Street East, Toronto, Ontario, M5A 3S5. (Ward 25 - Don River)

Purpose:

To review and make recommendations respecting an application for a variance to permit one non-illuminated, projecting, banner sign for identification purposes at 366 Adelaide Street East.

Source of Funds:

Not applicable

Recommendations:

That City Council approve Application No. 998083 respecting a minor variance from Chapter 297, Signs, of the former City of Toronto Municipal Code to permit one non-illuminated, projecting, banner sign at 366 Adelaide Street East.

Comments:

The property is located on the northeast corner of Adelaide Street East and Sherbourne Street, in the King-Parliament Reinvestment Area. The property accommodates a five storey commercial building with a restaurant and an office furniture showroom at grade. The applicant is requesting permission to erect one non-illuminated, projecting, banner sign, having a length of 0.81 metre and a height of 5.1 metres, with an area of 4.1 m5 for identification purposes (see Figure 1).

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

1. The proposed projecting, banner sign will be located above the second storey of the building.

The variance occurs because the banner sign would be installed higher than permitted by the Municipal Code, extending above the second storey level of the building. Signs are permitted to be located only within the first two storeys of a building. This provision restricts signs to their traditional location in order to minimize the impact of signage on the building and on the streetscape. In this instance, the top end of the proposed banner sign would be slightly above the second floor level. It is my opinion that the proposed sign will not negatively impact the building, streetscape and 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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