Variances from Chapter 297, Signs,
of the Former City of Toronto Municipal Code -
(Downtown, Davenport)
The Toronto Community Council recommends the adoption of the following reports from the Commissioner of
Urban Planning and Development Services:
(July 9, 1998)
Purpose:
To review and make recommendations respecting an application for variances to permit signage at 244 Victoria Street
(263 Yonge Street).
Financial Implications:
Not applicable.
Recommendations:
It is recommended that:
(1)City Council approve Application No. 998045 respecting minor variances from Chapter 297, Signs, of the former
City of Toronto Municipal Code to permit signage on condition that:
(i)respecting sign type "A", only the logo and letters be internally illuminated and that only the perimeter of the frames
be illuminated with static incandescent light bulbs;
(ii)respecting sign type "B", the sign be front-lit, and that only the perimeter of the frame be illuminated with static
incandescent light bulbs;
(iii)respecting sign type "C", the signs be backlit and that only the perimeter of the frames be illuminated with static
incandescent light bulbs;
(iv)respecting sign type "D", only the logo and individual letters be internally illuminated; and
(v)respecting sign type "E", only the perimeter of the frame be illuminated with static incandescent light bulbs.
(2)The applicant be advised, upon approval of Application No. 998045, of the requirement to obtain the necessary
permits from the Commissioner of Urban Planning and Development Services.
Comments:
The property is located on the east side of Yonge Street, having frontage on both Yonge and Victoria Streets, in a
mixed-use (commercial/residential) district. The property is known as the Pantages Theatre. The building is designated
historical under the Ontario Heritage Act.
The applicant is requesting permission to install new signage on the east and west elevations of the building (see
Figures 1 & 2). The new signage will serve to identify the Pantages Theatre as one component of the larger AT&T
Centre, which will include an additional theatre, a hotel, retail and residential uses that were approved by the former
City of Toronto Council on May 12, 1997. The dimensions of each sign type are shown on attached Figures 3-7. In
addition to the 9 signs that are part of this application, 2 additional signs, which are permitted under the Municipal
Code, will be installed on the building. The remaining 10 signs, which are currently existing on the building will be
upgraded or remain unchanged.
The areas of non-compliance with Chapter 297 of the Municipal Code by sign type are as follows:
Sign type "A", illuminated roof sign, of which there are 2 proposed, do not comply in that roof signs are not permitted
in CR districts;
Sign type "B", illuminated fascia sign, of which there is 1 proposed, does not comply in that the sign will be erected
above the 2nd storey of the building;
Sign type "C", illuminated fascia sign, of which there are 4 proposed, do not comply in that they will exceed the
maximum permitted sign area of 15% of the building face of the second storey and they will be erected above the
second storey and more than 10 metres above grade;
Sign type "D", illuminated fascia sign, of which there is 1 proposed, does not comply in that it will be erected above
the second storey and more than 10 metres above grade; and
Sign type "E", illuminated fascia sign, of which there is 1 proposed, does not comply in that it will be erected above
the second storey of the building and more than 10 metres above grade, and the area of the sign (54.71 m5) will exceed
the maximum permitted sign area of 25 m5 by 29.71 m5.
To summarize, the variances being requested have to do with roof signs not being permitted in a CR district and the
size and location of the proposed fascia signs.
The proposed roof signs, sign type "A", will be installed in the same location as the existing "Phantom Masks" which
will be relocated. The new signs will consist of arch-shaped aluminum panels with static incandescent light bulbs
around the perimeter. The panels have been designed to echo the arches found on the east facade of the building. The
signs will be used to identify the new corporate sponsor, AT&T, and only the name and logo will be internally
illuminated (see Figure 3). At its meeting of April 1 and 2, 1996, the former City of Toronto Council adopted By-law
1996-0168 which amended the sign regulations of Chapter 297 of the Municipal Code by deleting the as-of-right
replacement provisions for legal non-conforming signs. City Council adopted this recommendation because it was felt
that the continued replacement of non-conforming signs would serve to prolong the lifespan of signs in areas where
Council had decided that they are no longer desired. By permitting the erection of new non-conforming signs, the goal
of attrition would take much longer to achieve. While the signs= faces and attributes can be changed, no changes are
permitted to the sign structure, location or height of legal non-conforming signs. In this instance, however, the
classification of "roof sign" is arguably a technical matter in that the existing "Phantom Masks" are icons attached to
an existing vertical structure which supports the permitted "Pantages" sign which is proposed to be maintained. The
proposed signs are similar in size to the existing "Phantom Masks" and will be set back from the building face and
positioned in the same location to screen the existing support structure. For this reason, I consider the variance to be
acceptable in this circumstance.
The second type of sign, fascia sign "B", consists of an ornamental aluminum frame with static incandescent light
bulbs around the perimeter of the frame. The sign will be front-lit with decorative spot lights located on the canopy
below. The sign will be used to advertise the current production in the theatre and will be installed on the Yonge Street
elevation of the building, above the main entrance and approximately 9 metres above grade, which I consider
acceptable.
The third type of sign, fascia signs "C", will be located on the Victoria Street elevation of the building. These
arch-shaped signs will be internally illuminated and will have static incandescent light bulbs around the perimeter of
the frame. The new signs will replace illuminated signs currently in this location and will be used to promote
theatre-related events. The signs have been designed to be integrated within the existing arches on the upper level of
the facade. In my opinion, the proposed signs emphasize this unique architectural feature and their size and location
will not negatively impact the building.
The fourth type of sign, fascia sign "D", will be located on the Victoria Street elevation of the building. The sign
identifying "AT&T Centre" consists of internally illuminated brass channel letters mounted horizontally across the
building face. The sign, although slightly higher than permitted, has been positioned in between the arches to line up
with the cornerstone details on either side, which I consider appropriate in this instance.
The fifth type of sign, fascia sign "E", will be located towards the south end of the building on the Victoria Street
elevation. The sign consists of a "skeletal grid" frame edged with static incandescent light bulbs on which visual icons
will be displayed related to the current production. The applicant proposes to display one of the "Phantom Masks"
relocated from Yonge Street. However, this sign will be changed intermittently to reflect the current production. While
the frame is larger and higher than permitted, the "skeletal grid" frame has been appropriately sized and positioned on
this blank section of wall to display the visual icons which will be temporary in nature directly related to the play being
performed. On this basis, I consider the variance to be acceptable.
I have reviewed this application with Heritage Toronto staff. After numerous revisions, the applicant has adequately
addressed Heritage Toronto's concerns.
I am, therefore, recommending that this application be approved with the conditions noted above. The applicant
concurs with these recommendations.
Contact Name:
Lora Mazzocca
Telephone: (416) 392-0421
Fax: (416) 392-7536
(July 8, 1998)
Purpose:
To review and make recommendations respecting an application for a variance to maintain one illuminated fascia sign
at 2 King Street West.
Financial Implications:
Not applicable.
Recommendations:
It is recommended that:
(1)City Council approve Application No. 998040 respecting a minor variance from Chapter 297, Signs, of the former
City of Toronto Municipal Code to maintain one illuminated fascia sign.
(2)The applicant be advised, upon approval of Application No. 998040, 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-west corner of King Street West and Yonge Street, in a mixed-use
(commercial/residential) district. The property accommodates a 20 storey commercial building.
The building is listed under the City=s Inventory of Heritage Properties. The applicant is requesting permission to
maintain one illuminated fascia sign on the east elevation of the building which identifies the ground floor tenant (see
Figures 1 and 2). The sign has a length of 5.8 metres and a height of 0.6 metres, with an area of 3.5 m5.
The sign does not comply with Chapter 297 of the Municipal Code in that it is not entirely located within the tenant's
commercial unit frontage. The Municipal Code requires that signs 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, signs on the
ground floor level have been designed to fit in between the building columns and the sign has not precluded the
provision of appropriate signage for the adjacent tenant.
Heritage Toronto staff have advised that they have no objection to this application.
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
(June 18, 1998)
Purpose:
To review and make recommendations respecting an application for a variance to permit one non-illuminated fascia
sign at 711 Yonge Street.
Financial Implications:
Not applicable.
Recommendations:
It is recommended that:
(1)City Council approve Application No. 998036 respecting a minor variance from Chapter 297, Signs, of the former
City of Toronto Municipal Code to permit one non-illuminated fascia sign.
(2)The applicant be advised, upon approval of Application No. 998036, of the requirement to obtain the necessary
permits from the Commissioner of Urban Planning and Development Services.
Comments:
The property is located on the east side of Yonge Street, in a mixed-use (commercial/residential) district. The property
accommodates a 2.5 storey commercial building. The applicant is requesting permission to install one non-illuminated
fascia sign on the north elevation of the building (see Figure 1). The sign has a length of 3.7 metres and a height of 3.0
metres, with an area of 11.1 m5.
The sign does not comply with Chapter 297 of the Municipal Code in that it will be erected within 0.6 metres of a
public roadway.
The sign would face onto Roy's Square, a public laneway. The 0.3 cm thick sign would be located 2.9 metres above
grade and it would not interfere with pedestrians or vehicles entering the laneway.
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
(July 6, 1998)
Purpose:
To review and make recommendations respecting an application for a variance to permit one illuminated fascia sign at
1615 Dufferin Street.
Financial Implications:
Not applicable.
Recommendations:
It is recommended that:
(1)City Council approve Application No. 998038 respecting a minor variance from Chapter 297, Signs, of the former
City of Toronto Municipal Code to permit one fascia sign on condition that the sign be non-illuminated.
(2)The applicant be advised, upon approval of Application No. 998038, 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 Dufferin Street and Rosemount Avenue, in a residential (R2)
district. The property accommodates a two storey medical building. The applicant is requesting permission to install
one illuminated fascia sign on the second floor level of the building facing Dufferin Street (see Figure 1). The sign has
a length of 4.9 metres and a height of 0.8 metres, with an area of 3.9 m5.
The sign does not comply with Chapter 297 of the Municipal Code in that it is not permitted in this residential district.
The Municipal Code permits illuminated signs in residential districts in conjunction with uses that are normally
permitted in such districts. Professional office uses are not permitted in this residential district, hence the variance. The
applicant has advised me that a medical use has existed in this location for approximately 20 years and therefore the
use is legal non-conforming. The new sign would be used to identify additional services (ie. chiropractic and
physiotherapy) that would be provided in the building in conjunction with the existing medical uses. However, I am
concerned about the potential negative impact the illuminated sign might have on the existing residential uses across
Dufferin Street.
Consequently, I am recommending approval of this application, on condition that the sign be non-illuminated. I have
consulted with the applicant and he concurs with this recommendation.
Contact Name:
Lora Mazzocca
Telephone: (416) 392-0421
Fax: (416) 392-7536
E-Mail: lmazzocc@city.toronto.on.ca
