November 24, 1998

To:Toronto Community Council

From:Commissioner of Urban Planning and Development Services

Subject:155 Dalhousie Street, Application No. 998088: Request for approval of variances from Chapter 297, Signs, of the former City of Toronto Municipal Code, upon application by Kwality Signs, 454 Aberfoyle Court, Mississauga, Ontario, L4Z 2J5, on behalf of 912976 Ontario Limited, 16 Clarence Square, Toronto, Ontario, M5V 1H1. (Downtown)

Purpose:

To review and make recommendations respecting an application for variances to maintain four illuminated logo signs at 155 Dalhousie Street.

Source of Funds:

Not applicable.

Recommendations:

It is recommended that:

1.City Council approve Application No. 998088 respecting minor variances from Chapter 297, Signs, of the former City of Toronto Municipal Code to maintain four illuminated logo signs.

2.The applicant be advised, upon approval of Application No. 998088, 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 Mutual Street, Gould Street and Dalhousie Street, in a mixed-use (commercial/residential) district. The property accommodates an eleven storey mixed-use building with residential uses on the upper storeys and commercial uses at grade. The property is listed under the City's Inventory of Heritage Properties.

The applicant is requesting permission to maintain illuminated logo signs on the north, east and west elevations of the building to identify the grocery store use (see Figures 1-5). The signs each have a length of 2.4 metres and a height of 2.4 metres, with an area of 5.8 m².

The signs do not comply with Chapter 297 of the Municipal Code in the following ways:

1.the sign on the east elevation obstructs or interferes with a window of the building; and

2.the signs project more than 0.45 metres from the wall of the building.

The first variance occurs because the sign on the east elevation obstructs a window on the second storey level of the building. In this instance, however, a locker room is situated in behind the window and therefore views will not be affected.

The second variance results from the extent of the signs' projection from the building face. The signs exceed the permitted maximum projection of 0.45 metres by 0.41 metres. In this instance, however, the applicant has advised that the additional projection was necessary in order to avoid obstruction to the exhaust grill.

While their location, approximately 6.3 metres above grade, will not endanger nor inconvenience pedestrians, Heritage Toronto staff have advised that they do not approve of the location of the signs on the building. Had Heritage Toronto staff had the opportunity to comment in advance of the signs being erected, they would have suggested that the signs not project beyond the corners of the building. However, given that the signs have already been installed and to avoid unnecessary damage to the building facade, I am prepared to recommend approval.

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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