Variances from Chapter 297, Signs,
of the former City of Toronto Municipal Code -
(Downtown, High Park, Don River, Midtown, North Toronto)
The Toronto Community Council recommends the adoption of the following reports
from the Commissioner of Urban Planning and Development Services:
(October 21, 1998)
Purpose:
To review and make recommendations respecting an application for variance to permit five
encroaching, non-illuminated, projecting, banner signs on the King Street elevation at 18 King
Street East.
Source of Funds:
Not applicable
Recommendations:
That City Council approve Application No. 998080 respecting minor variances from Chapter
297, Signs, of the former City of Toronto Municipal Code to permit five encroaching,
non-illuminated, projecting, banner signs at 18 King Street East.
Comments:
The property is located on the northwest corner of King Street East and Victoria Street, in a
mixed use district. The property accommodates a 17-storey commercial building with retail
stores on the first floor.
The applicant is requesting permission to install five encroaching, non-illuminated, projecting,
banner signs on the south elevation of the building for decorative purposes (see Figure 1).
Each of the signs will have a length of 0.74 metres and a height of 0.66 metres, with an area of
0.49 m².
The signs do not comply with Chapter 297 of the Municipal Code in the following way:
(1)The projecting banner signs will be located above the second storey of the building.
The variance occurs because the banner signs would be installed higher than permitted by the
Municipal Code, extending above the second storey level of the building. Signs are permitted
to be located only within the first two storeys of a building. This provision restricts signs to
their traditional location in order to minimize the impact of signage on the building and on the
streetscape. In this instance, the proposed 0.49 m² signs form an integral part of new light
fixtures proposed to be erected on the building's south elevation and will be located only 0.8
m above the second floor level. It is my opinion, because of their small size, the five proposed
banner signs will not negatively impact the streetscape and surrounding uses.
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:
Norm Girdhar
Telephone: (416) 392-7209
Fax: (416) 392-7536
E-Mail: ngirdhar@city.toronto.on.ca
(October 27, 1998)
Purpose:
To review and make recommendations respecting an application for a variance to permit one
illuminated, fascia sign for identification purposes at 227 Church Street.
Source of Funds:
Not applicable.
Recommendations:
That City Council approve Application No. 998075 respecting a minor variance from Chapter
297, Signs, of the former City of Toronto Municipal Code to permit one illuminated, fascia
sign at 227 Church Street.
Comments:
The property is located on the east side of Church Street, between Dundas Street East and
Shuter Street, in a mixed-use district. The property accommodates a two storey building with
a restaurant at grade. The applicant is requesting permission to replace an existing illuminated,
canopy sign with a back-lit, illuminated, fascia sign consisting of individual letters for
identification purposes (see Figure 1). The sign has a length of 5.4 metres and a height of 0.61
metre, with an area of 3.3 m².
The proposed sign does not comply with Chapter 297 of the Municipal Code in the following
way:
(1)The proposed sign does not meet the definition of a fascia sign.
The variance occurs because the proposed sign does not meet the definition of a fascia sign.
As defined by the Municipal Code, a fascia sign is to be mounted wholly against the wall or
parapet wall of the building. The intent of this provision is to prevent and limit the possible
negative impact of signage on the appearance of buildings to which they are attached and on
adjacent uses. In this instance, the proposed sign, which is comprised of individual letters,
though not directly attached to the wall of the building, will be mounted on top of a 0.2 metre
wide decorative moulding, which is mounted against the front wall of the building. It is my
opinion, that the sign closely resembles a fascia sign and it will not negatively impact the
building, streetscape or the surrounding uses.
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:
Norm Girdhar
Telephone: (416) 392-7209
(October 28, 1998)
Purpose:
To review and make recommendations respecting an application for a variance to permit one
non-illuminated, projecting, banner sign for identification purposes at 366 Adelaide Street
East.
Source of Funds:
Not applicable
Recommendation:
That City Council approve Application No. 998083 respecting a minor variance from Chapter
297, Signs, of the former City of Toronto Municipal Code to permit one non-illuminated,
projecting, banner sign at 366 Adelaide Street East.
Comments:
The property is located on the northeast corner of Adelaide Street East and Sherbourne Street,
in the King-Parliament Reinvestment Area. The property accommodates a five storey
commercial building with a restaurant and an office furniture showroom at grade. The
applicant is requesting permission to erect one non-illuminated, projecting, banner sign,
having a length of 0.81 metre and a height of 5.1 metres, with an area of 4.1 m² for
identification purposes (see Figure 1).
The sign does not comply with Chapter 297 of the Municipal Code in the following way:
(1)The proposed projecting, banner sign will be located above the second storey of the
building.
The variance occurs because the banner sign would be installed higher than permitted by the
Municipal Code, extending above the second storey level of the building. Signs are permitted
to be located only within the first two storeys of a building. This provision restricts signs to
their traditional location in order to minimize the impact of signage on the building and on the
streetscape. In this instance, the top end of the proposed banner sign would be slightly above
the second floor level. It is my opinion that the proposed sign will not negatively impact the
building, streetscape and surrounding uses.
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:
Norm Girdhar
Telephone: (416) 392-7209
Fax: (416) 392-7536
E-Mail: ngirdhar@city.toronto.on.ca
(October 28, 1998)
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 m².
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
(October 26, 1998)
Purpose:
To review and make recommendations respecting an application for a variance to maintain
two illuminated fascia signs for identification purposes at 2114 Yonge Street.
Source of Funds:
Not applicable
Recommendations:
(1)That City Council approve Application No. 998072 respecting a minor variance from
Chapter 297, Signs, of the former City of Toronto Municipal Code to maintain two
illuminated fascia signs at 2114 Yonge Street on the condition that:
*the existing inflatable Michelin / Uniroyal advertising sign placed near the public sidewalk
on the south side of Hillsdale Avenue West be removed prior to the issuance of the necessary
permits.
(2)That the applicant be advised, upon approval of Application No. 998072, of the
requirement to obtain the necessary permit from the Commissioner of Urban Planning and
Development Services.
Comments:
The property is located on the southwest corner of Yonge Street and Hillsdale Avenue West,
in a mixed-use district. The property accommodates a one-storey automobile service centre.
The applicant is requesting permission to maintain two illuminated fascia signs for
identification purposes (see Figure 1). Each of the signs have a length of 3.68 metres and a
height of 1.47 metres, with an area of 5.4 m².
The sign on the north elevation does not comply with Chapter 297 of the Municipal Code in
the following way:
1.The sign does not meet the definition of a fascia sign.
The variance relates only to the sign on the north elevation which does not meet the definition
of a fascia sign. As defined by the Municipal Code, a fascia sign is to be mounted wholly
against the wall or parapet wall of a building or a sign mounted between the columns of an
arcade. The intent of this provision is to prevent and limit the possible negative impact of
signage on the appearance of buildings to which they are attached and on adjacent uses. In this
instance, though the sign is not mounted wholly against the wall of the building, it is mounted
against the column on one side and being supported by a steel frame and brackets on the other
side. It is my opinion that the sign closely resembles a fascia sign and it will not negatively
impact the building, streetscape and surrounding uses. Further, the owner has agreed that as a
condition of approval he will remove the existing inflatable advertising sign near the public
sidewalk.
I am, therefore, recommending approval of this application with a condition respecting the
removal of the existing inflatable advertising sign, 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:
Norm Girdhar
Telephone: (416) 392-7209
Fax: (416) 392-7536
E-Mail: ngirdhar@city.toronto.on.ca
(October 20, 1998)
Purpose:
To review and make recommendations respecting an application for variances to permit one
illuminated pedestal sign, one non-illuminated ground sign and one non-illuminated fascia
sign at
100 Queen's Park Avenue.
Source of Funds:
Not applicable.
Recommendations:
It is recommended that:
(1)City Council approve Application No. 998076 respecting minor variances from Chapter
297, Signs, of the former City of Toronto Municipal Code to permit one illuminated pedestal
sign, one non-illuminated ground sign and one non-illuminated fascia sign.
(2)The applicant be advised, upon approval of Application No. 998076, 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 Queen's Park Avenue and Bloor Street, in
an institutional (Q) district. The property accommodates the Royal Ontario Museum. The
property is listed on the City's Inventory of Heritage Properties. The applicant is requesting
permission to install signage in conjunction with a new theatre entrance that has recently been
constructed on the north elevation of the building (see Figure 1).
The signs do not comply with Chapter 297 of the Municipal Code in the following ways:
1.the area of the proposed pedestal sign (4.0 m²) exceeds the maximum permitted area of 2.5
m² by 1.5 m²;
2.the proposed pedestal sign will have a height of 2.4 metres instead of the maximum
permitted 2.0 metres;
3.the proposed ground sign will not be wholly supported by uprights or braces;
4.there will be more than one identification sign within the Queen's Park frontage of the lot;
and
5.the proposed fascia sign will be mounted against the door of the building instead of the wall
of the building.
The first two variances occur because the proposed pedestal sign will be larger and higher
than permitted by the Municipal Code. The size and height of signs are regulated in order to
reduce the visual impact of signs on the streetscape and on the buildings to which they are
attached. The proposed pedestal sign would be used to advertise the current performance in
the theatre. The sign would be similar in size and height as the four existing display cabinets
north of the building's main entrance and would be installed 2.7 metres from the front lot line
in approximately the same location as other already existing signs.
The third variance occurs because the ground sign will not be supported by uprights or braces.
The sign consists of 0.4 metre high individual stainless steel letters anchored to a 0.6 metre
high decorative concrete wall which would identify the new theatre entrance.
The fourth variance occurs because there will be more than one identification sign within the
Queen's Park Avenue frontage of the lot. In this instance, however, the proposed signs would
be used for theatre purposes and would not duplicate the function of the existing signs along
this building frontage.
The last variance occurs because the proposed fascia sign would be mounted on the door of
the new theatre entrance instead of on the wall of the building. In this instance, however, the
sign would be used as a directory for visitors to the theatre and its location is appropriate for
its intended function. Heritage Toronto staff have advised that they have no objections to this
application.
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
