Variance from Chapter 297 - Signs,
of the Former City of Toronto Municipal Code -
1345 Queen Street East (East Toronto)
The Toronto Community Council recommends that:
(1)City Council approve Application No. 998037 respecting a minor variance from
Chapter 297, Signs, of the former City of Toronto Municipal Code to maintain one
illuminated ground sign for third party advertising on condition that the west facing
sign panel only be illuminated between the hours of 7:00 a.m. and 10:00 p.m. and that
this be controlled by means of an automatic timing device; and
(2)The applicant be advised, upon approval of Application No. 998037, of the
requirement to obtain the necessary permits from the Commissioner of Urban
Planning and Development Services.
The Toronto Community Council submits the report (August 13, 1998) from the
Commissioner of Urban Planning and Development Services:
Purpose:
To review and make recommendations respecting an application for a variance to maintain
one illuminated ground sign for third party advertising at 1345 Queen Street East.
Financial Implications:
Not applicable.
Recommendations:
It is recommended that:
(1)City Council approve Application No. 998037 respecting a minor variance from Chapter
297, Signs, of the former City of Toronto Municipal Code to maintain one illuminated
ground sign for third party advertising on condition that the west facing sign panel only be
illuminated between the hours of 7:00 a.m. and 11:00 p.m. and that this be controlled by
means of an automatic timing device.
(2)The applicant be advised, upon approval of Application No. 998037, 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 East, west of Knox Avenue, in a
mixed-use (commercial/residential) district. The property accommodates a one storey
commercial building. The applicant is requesting permission to maintain one illuminated
ground sign at the north-west corner of the property (see Figures 1 & 2). The sign has a
length of 3.6 metres and a height of 4.8 metres, with an area of 17.3 m².
The sign does not comply with Chapter 297 of the Municipal Code in that a third party
ground sign is not permitted in a mixed-use (commercial/residential) district.
On February 13, 1996, Urban Planning and Development Services issued permit no. 380703
to allow the installation of one illuminated, third party ground sign on the west side of this
property. This variance application has been filed because the ground sign was installed 0.45
metres too close to the west property line and a revision to the permit was denied because
third party ground signs are no longer permitted in this district.
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 Municipal Code to prohibit third party
ground and pedestal signs in CR and MCR districts throughout the city. This regulation is
aimed at reducing sign proliferation in the city's commercial/residential districts. Signs
which were legally erected prior to the passing of the by-law and which do not conform to
the current sign provisions of the Municipal Code are permitted to remain with a legal
non-conforming status.
The ground sign has been a source of concern for the owner of the residential building
immediately to the west. However, the applicant has advised, and a recent site visit has
confirmed, that neither the sign nor its supporting elements encroach onto the adjacent
property and the light sources have been shielded to prevent light from spilling over onto the
adjacent residential properties. In areas where ground signs are currently permitted there is
no sideyard setback requirement and in my opinion, closer compliance would not
meaningfully improve the existing conditions. However, I am concerned about the
potentially negative impact of the illuminated sign on the adjacent residential uses west of
the site. Consequently I am requesting that the hours of illumination be controlled by means
of an automatic timing device.
As a permit was issued for a ground sign prior to the prohibition of such signs and given that
modifications were made to the sign to address the concerns of the neighbouring owner, I
am recommending approval of this application to permit the maintenance of the illuminated
ground sign with the above-noted condition. 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