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December 15, 1998
To:Chairman and Members
North York Community Council
From:Mr. Edward Tipping, P.Eng.
Director & Deputy Chief Building Official
Subject:Proposed Billboard Roof Sign at 2145 Avenue Rd.
(Sign Application No. S9805088)
Purpose:
Evaluate and make recommendations pertaining to a request by Allen Grossman, for a
variance from the Sign By-law to permit the construction of an illuminated third party 10 foot
by 20 foot billboard sign on the roof of an existing 3 storey commercial building in an
residential RM 4 zone.
Recommendation:
It is recommended that:
1)The request for a variance from the sign by-law be refused.
Council Reference/Background/History:
The building on which the sign is contemplated is located in a RM4 residential zone (see
attached site plan), on the southeast corner of Avenue Road and Wilson Avenue. The
proposed sign would face north and south and be visible along Avenue Road.
The subject building is commercial in use, but is situated in a residential zone, and is located
approximately eighty feet from a three storey residential building to the south on Avenue
Road, with a RM4 zoning designation. The area surrounding the proposed sign is divergent in
use, with a high-rise residential on the northwest corner, commercial and four storey
residential on the northeast corner, and commercial and residential uses on the southwest
corner.
Section 5.1 of the Sign By-law does not permit the erection of roof signs in a residential zone.
Considering this building is located in a residential zone and is in close proximity to areas of
residential use, particularly to the south, the intent of the sign by-law to safeguard residential
areas from signage would be compromised.
In addition, the height of the proposed sign approximately 50 feet above grade would make it
visible for a significant distance into the surrounding residential area. The Ward Councillors
have been notified of this request and provided with a copy of the report and attached plans,
drawings or pictures.
Conclusions:
It is the opinion of this department that permitting a third party billboard roof sign in a
residential zone is not a minor variance from the requirements of the sign by-law. Further, the
proposed sign would have negative consequence on the existing residential neighbourhood
since it would be visible from the surrounding residential neighbourhood.
In general, the approval of roof signs in residential zones compromises the integrity of the
sign by-law, and could facilitate the proliferation of roof signs within similar area of
residential use.
Edward Tipping, P.Eng.,
Director & Deputy Chief Building Official
Attach.
cc.Councillor Milton Berger
Councillor Joanne Flint
Mr. Allen Grossman