November 5, 1998
To:Toronto Community Council
From:Commissioner of Urban Planning and Development Services
Subject:110 Bloor Street West, Application No. 998078: Request for approval of a variance from Chapter 297, Signs, of
the former City of Toronto Municipal Code, upon application by Taylor Hariri Pontarini Architects, 245 Davenport Road,
Toronto, Ontario, M5R 1K1, on behalf of 110 Bloor Portfolio Inc., 3625 Dufferin Street, Suite 500, Downsview, Ontario,
M3K 1N4. (Midtown)
Purpose:
To review and make recommendations respecting an application for a variance to permit one illuminated pedestal sign at
110 Bloor Street West.
Source of Funds:
Not applicable.
Recommendations:
It is recommended that:
1. City Council approve Application No. 998078 respecting a minor variance from Chapter 297, Signs, of the former City
of Toronto Municipal Code to permit one illuminated pedestal sign on condition that the owner agree not to erect or
authorize an application for any additional freestanding signage on the premises other than the recommended pedestal
sign.
2. The applicant be advised, upon approval of Application No. 998078, of the requirement to obtain the necessary permits
from the Commissioner of Urban Planning and Development Services.
Comments:
The property is located on the north side of Bloor Street West, west of Bay Street, in a mixed-use (commercial residential)
district. The property accommodates a 21 storey mixed-use building with residential uses on the upper storeys and
commercial uses at grade. The applicant is requesting permission to install one illuminated pedestal sign within the Bloor
Street frontage of the property (see Figure 1). The sign has a length of 1.6 metres and a height of 2.5 metres, with an area
of 4.0 m5.
The sign does not comply with Chapter 297 of the Municipal Code in that it will be located 0.8 metres from the streetline
instead of 2.0 metres. 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 City of Toronto Municipal Code to increase the separation and setback requirements
for ground and pedestal signs in mixed-use commercial/residential districts throughout the City. These regulations are
aimed at ensuring that, where possible, commercial streetscapes and view corridors are preserved and enhanced and
sightlines for motorists, cyclists and pedestrians are improved.
The pedestal sign would be installed immediately opposite the front entrance of the building. In the initial proposal the
pedestal sign was proposed adjacent to the streetline. However, I was concerned that a sign this high might block the
views of pedestrians resulting in potential conflicts between pedestrians entering and exiting the site in close proximity to
the sign. Consequently, I have requested, and the applicant has agreed to set back the sign 0.8 metres from the streetline in
order to ensure adequate sightlines. The sign would be located well behind the exterior support columns of the building
and a sufficient distance away from the revolving doors of the main entrance and would not endanger nor inconvenience
pedestrians. Further, there are no driveways within this block from which motorists= views would be impaired.
I am recommending approval of this application, on condition that no other freestanding signage be erected on the
premises. The applicant 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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