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Variances from Chapter 297, Signs,
of The City of Toronto Municipal Code-
(Trinity-Niagara, Midtown, Downtown)
The Toronto Community Council recommends the adoption of the following reports from
the Commissioner, Urban Planning and Development Services:
(March 30, 1998)
Purpose:
To review and make recommendations respecting an application for variances to permit 9 non-illuminated banner signs, one illuminated "bridge" sign and one illuminated roof sign.
Funding Sources, Financial Implications and Impact Statement:
Not applicable.
Recommendations:
It is recommended that:
(1) City Council approve Application Nos. 998007 and 998022 respecting minor variances
from Chapter 297, Signs, of the City of Toronto Municipal Code to permit 9 non-illuminated banner signs, one illuminated "bridge" sign and one illuminated roof sign.
(2) The applicant be advised, upon approval of Application Nos. 998007 and 998022, of the
requirement to obtain the necessary permits from the Commissioner of Urban Planning
and Development Services.
Comments:
The property is located on the block bounded by Lakeshore Boulevard East, Lower Jarvis Street
and Queens Quay East, in an industrial (IC) district. The property accommodates a two storey
grocery store. The applicant is requesting permission to install 6 projecting banner signs on the
east elevation of the building, one illuminated "bridge" sign, three projecting banner signs on
the south elevation of the building and one illuminated roof sign. In addition to the 11 signs that
are part of this application, an additional 4 signs, which are permitted under the Municipal Code,
will be installed as illustrated on attached Figure 1.
The projecting banner signs each have a length of 0.9 metres and a height of 4.5 metres, with an
area of 4.1 m², the "bridge" sign has a length of 5.3 metres and a height of 1.0 metre, with an area
of 5.3 m² and the roof sign has a length of 17.4 metres and a height of 3.0 metres, with an area
of 52.2 m².
The signs do not comply with Chapter 297 of the Municipal Code in the following ways:
(1) the area of the projecting banner signs on Queen's Quay East (12.54 m²) exceeds the
maximum permitted area of 6 m² and the area of the projecting banner signs on Jarvis
Street (25 m²) exceeds the maximum permitted area of 10 m²;
(2) a "bridge" sign is not a defined sign type and is therefore not permitted; and
(3) a roof sign is not permitted.
The first variance relates to the size of the projecting banner signs. The maximum area for a
projecting sign is based on the amount of frontage the unit has on the street. This development
consists of a grocery store on the south end with an attached parking garage structure on the
north end. As illustrated on Figures 2 and 3 the signs would be attached to the section of wall
related to the grocery store which is 95 metres long on Jarvis Street and 55 metres long on
Queen's Quay West, and in my opinion, the signs are appropriately sized to identify this block-long retail facility.
The second variance occurs because a "bridge" sign is not defined under Chapter 297 of the
Municipal Code and is therefore not permitted. The sign would consist of individual letters
mounted against the bridge which connects the grocery store to the parking garage structure (see
Figure 5). The sign would be externally lit and would be used to identify the entrance to the
parking garage which I consider appropriate.
The third variance occurs because a roof sign is not permitted in the Gardiner Expressway
Corridor. This restriction resulted from a growing concern that signs were becoming
increasingly larger and higher and were obstructing the panoramic views along the Gardiner
Expressway and the Don Valley Parkway, the City's gateway corridors.
In this instance, the roof sign would consist of individual metal letters mounted on the north side
of the building. Unlike the large vertical support structures typically associated with roof signs,
the letters would be individually supported on 2.4 metre high steel poles. The sign would be
mounted at the base of the pre-finished metal roof which rises sharply to a height of 7.3 metres.
The roof would provide a backdrop for the sign which, when viewed from the street, would more
closely resemble a fascia sign (see Figure 4). While the classification of a "roof" sign in this
instance is arguably a technical matter in that the sign would be anchored to the roof of the
building, the sign has none of the locational or structural attributes associated with such signs
and would not obstruct or otherwise interfere with significant views along this gateway corridor.
For 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
Insert Table/Map No. 1
10 Lower Jarvis Street
Insert Table/Map No. 2
10 Lower Jarvis Street
Insert Table/Map No. 3
10 Lower Jarvis Street
Insert Table/Map No. 4
10 Lower Jarvis Street
Insert Table/Map No. 5
10 Lower Jarvis Street
Insert Table/Map No. 6
10 Lower Jarvis Street
Insert Table/Map No. 7
10 Lower Jarvis Street
Insert Table/Map No. 8
10 Lower Jarvis Street
(March 16, 1998)
Purpose:
To review and make recommendations respecting an application for a variance to permit one
non-illuminated fascia sign.
Funding Sources, Financial Implications and Impact Statement:
Not applicable.
Recommendations:
It is recommended that:
(1) City Council approve Application No.998009 respecting a minor variance from Chapter
297, Signs, of the City of Toronto Municipal Code to permit one non-illuminated fascia
sign.
(2) The applicant be advised, upon approval of Application No. 998009, of the requirement
to obtain the necessary permits from the Commissioner of Urban Planning and
Development Services.
Comments:
The property is located on the south-west corner of Adelaide Street West and Bay Street, in a
mixed-use (commercial/residential) district. The property accommodates an 18 storey office
building. The building is designated historical under the Ontario Heritage Act.
The applicant is requesting permission to install one non-illuminated fascia sign on the east
elevation of the building (see Figure 1). The sign has a length of 3.5 metres and a height of 0.5
metres, with an area of 1.9 m².
The sign does not comply with Chapter 297 of the Municipal Code in that it will be located
above the second storey of the building.
Signs are permitted to be located within the first two storeys of a building. The intent of this
provision is to prevent oversignage and to limit the possible negative impact of signage on the
streetscape and on the appearance of buildings. A site visit by staff has confirmed that no
reasonable opportunities for signage exist within the first two storeys. Further, the modestly
sized sign would be non-illuminated and would be in keeping with other signs along this section
of Bay Street, which I consider acceptable.
Heritage Toronto has advised that they have no concerns regarding this application.
I am, therefore, 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:
Lora Mazzocca
Telephone: (416) 392-0421
Fax: (416) 392-7536
E-Mail: lmazzocc@city.toronto.on.ca
Insert Table/Map No. 1
320 Bay Street
Insert Table/Map No. 2
320 Bay Street
(March 6, 1998)
Purpose:
To review and make recommendations respecting an application for variances to maintain one
illuminated fascia sign.
Funding Sources, Financial Implications and Impact Statement::
Not applicable.
Recommendations:
It is recommended that:
(1) City Council approve Application No. 997121 respecting minor variances from Chapter
297, Signs, of the City of Toronto Municipal Code to maintain one illuminated fascia
sign.
(2) The applicant be advised, upon approval of Application No. 997121, 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 Lake Shore Blvd. East, Ferdinand Street, Queens
Quay East and Cooper Street, in an industrial (IC) district. The property accommodates a 5
storey commercial building. The applicant is requesting permission to maintain one illuminated
fascia sign in the form of a corporate logo on the north elevation of the building (see Figures 1 &
2). The sign has a length of 8.23 metres and a height of 1.98 metres, with an area of 16.3 m².
The sign does not comply with Chapter 297 of the Municipal Code in the following ways:
(1) the sign projects 0.59 metres from the wall of the building instead of the 0.45 metres
permitted; and
(2) the sign is not located above the required height of 34 metres.
The first variance results from the extent of the sign's projection from the building face. The
sign exceeds the permitted maximum projection of 0.45 metres by 0.14 metres. In this instance,
however, the sign is located 16.7 metres above grade and it will not endanger nor inconvenience
pedestrians.
Respecting the second variance, the Municipal Code requires illuminated corporate logo signs to
be located within the uppermost storey of buildings higher than 34 metres above grade in order to
reduce their visual impact on the streetscape, on the buildings to which they are attached and on
adjacent uses. In this instance, the sign is located at the penthouse level of the building at a
height of 16.7 metres. Given the industrial nature of the area, the fact that the proposed sign is
well within the permitted size for logo signs and located at the top of the building, there is no
negative visual impact on either the streetscape or the building. Further, the nearest building
from which the sign is visible is approximately 200 metres away and across the Gardiner
Expressway.
I am, therefore, 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.
Insert Table/Map No. 1
55 lake shore boulevard east - downtown
Insert Table/Map No. 2
55 lake shore boulevard east - downtown
Insert Table/Map No. 3
55 lake shore boulevard east - downtown
Insert Table/Map No. 4
55 lake shore boulevard east - downtown
(March 12, 1998)
Purpose:
To review and make recommendations respecting an application for a variance to permit one
non-illuminated fascia sign.
Funding Sources, Financial Implications and Impact Statement:
Not applicable.
Recommendations:
It is recommended that:
(1) City Council approve Application No. 998006 respecting a minor variance from Chapter
297, Signs, of the City of Toronto Municipal Code to permit one non-illuminated fascia
sign.
(2) The applicant be advised, upon approval of Application No. 998006, of the requirement
to obtain the necessary permits from the Commissioner of Urban Planning and
Development Services.
Comments:
The property is located on the south-west corner of Richmond Street West and Portland Street,
in a Reinvestment Area (RA) district. The property accommodates a 12 storey building on the
west part of the site and a two storey building on the east part of the site. Both buildings are
used for commercial purposes. The applicant is requesting permission to install one non-illuminated fascia sign on the north elevation of the two storey building on a part of the building
that is recessed from the main front wall (see Figure 1). The sign has a length of 0.9 metres and
a height of 0.4 metres, with an area of 0.36 m².
The sign does not comply with Chapter 297 of the Municipal Code in that it will be located on a
wall that is not part of the tenant's commercial unit.
The Municipal Code requires signs to be located on the portion of wall belonging to a particular
commercial unit so that each commercial unit is allowed to be identified. The sign would be
located directly below an existing sign which currently identifies one of the three tenants in the
building. In my opinion, the location of the proposed sign will not preclude the provision of
appropriate signage for the other tenants in this building.
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:
Lora Mazzocca
Telephone: (416) 392-0421
Fax: (416) 392-7536
E-Mail: lmazzocc@city.toronto.on.ca.
Insert Table/Map No. 1
543 Richmond street west (downtown)
Insert Table/Map No. 2
543 Richmond street west (downtown)
Insert Table/Map No. 3
543 Richmond street west (downtown)
(March 12, 1998)
Purpose:
To review and make recommendations respecting an application for a variance to maintain one
non-illuminated fascia sign.
Funding Sources, Financial Implications and Impact Statement:
Not applicable.
Recommendations:
It is recommended that:
(1) City Council approve Application No. 998010 respecting a minor variance from Chapter
297, Signs, of the City of Toronto Municipal Code to maintain one non-illuminated fascia
sign.
(2) The applicant be advised, upon approval of Application No. 998010, of the requirement
to obtain the necessary permits from the Commissioner of Urban Planning and
Development Services.
Comments:
The property is located on the south side of Queen Street West between Bathurst Street and
Tecumseth Street, in a mixed-use (commercial/residential) district. The property accommodates
a two storey building with residential uses on the upper storey and commercial uses at grade. The
applicant is requesting permission to maintain one non-illuminated fascia sign for the purposes of
identifying the ground floor commercial tenant (see Figure 1). The sign has a length of 4.5
metres and a height of 0.6 metres with an area of 2.7 m².
The sign does not comply with Chapter 297 of the Municipal Code in that it will not be located
entirely on a wall that is part of the commercial unit.
The Municipal Code requires signs to be located on the portion of wall belonging to a particular
commercial unit so that each commercial unit is allowed to be identified. In this instance, the
sign extends over the doorway which provides access to the second floor residential units.
However, its location does not preclude the provision of appropriate signage for other
commercial tenants in this building.
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:
Lora Mazzocca
Telephone: (416) 392-0421
Fax: (416) 392-7536
E-Mail: lmazzocc@city.toronto.on.ca.
Insert Table/Map No. 1
713 queen street west (trinity)
Insert Table/Map No. 2
713 queen street west (trinity)
Insert Table/Map No. 3
713 queen street west (trinity)
(March 20, 1998)
Purpose:
To review and make recommendations respecting an application for a variance to permit two
non-illuminated fascia signs.
Financial Implications:
Not applicable.
Recommendations:
It is recommended that:
(1) City Council approve Application No. 998005 respecting a minor variance from Chapter
297, Signs, of the City of Toronto Municipal Code to permit two non-illuminated fascia
signs.
(2) The applicant be advised, upon approval of Application No. 998005, 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-east corner of Bay Street and Bloor Street, in a mixed-use
(commercial/residential) district. The property accommodates a 14 storey commercial building.
The applicant is requesting permission to install two non-illuminated fascia signs in the form of a
corporate logo on the south-west corner of the building (see Figure 1). The signs would identify
the main tenant of the building and each would have a length of 1.0 metre and a height of 5.7
metres, with an area of 5.7 m².
The signs do not comply with Chapter 297 of the Municipal Code in that the height of the signs
(5.7 metres) will exceed the maximum permitted height of 3.0 metres by 2.7 metres.
The height of sign is regulated in order to reduce the visual impact of signs on the streetscape and
on the buildings to which they are attached. In this instance, the proposed signs would consist
of individual sculpted aluminum letters running vertically along the south and west faces of the
building's precast corner column. The signs would be appropriately sized, reflecting the height
of the visually identifiable mechanical penthouse. Further, the proposed signs would be well
within the permitted 25 m² size limit for logo signs. In my opinion, closer compliance to the
requirements of the Municipal Code would not meaningfully reduce the visual impact of the
proposed signs.
Given these reasons, 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:
Lora Mazzocca
Telephone: (416) 392-0421
Fax: (416) 392-7536
E-Mail: lmazzocc@city.toronto.on.ca
Insert Table/Map No. 1
60 Bloor
Insert Table/Map No. 2
60 bloor
Insert Table/Map No. 3
60 bloor
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