May 10, 1999

TO:Chairman and Members

North York Community Council

FROM:Mr. Edward Tipping, P.Eng.

Director and Deputy Chief Building Official

SUBJECT:Sign By-Law Variance Request

Wilson Ave at CP Railway Tracks East of Weston Rd.

Purpose:

Evaluate and make recommendations concerning a request by Mr. Sid Catalano, for a variance from the Sign By-Law to permit the erection of a back to back illuminated off premise billboard sign in the CP rail corridor at Wilson Ave east of Weston Road.

Recommendation:

It is recommended that :

1.The request for a variance from the sign by-law be refused.

Council Reference/Background/History:

The area in which the proposed sign is to be located is zoned Industrial M2 (see attached site plan). The proposed sign would face east and west along Wilson Ave. The north side of Wilson Ave is zoned residential (R5), and contains single family dwellings which back onto Wilson Ave.

The sign by-law permits signs on a railway corridor provided the sign has a maximum area of 269 square feet and a maximum height of 24.5 feet. Signs permitted in a railway corridor can not be located closer than 500 feet from a residential zone as stipulated by sentence 4.10.1 of the sign by-law.

The proposed sign would meet the area and height restriction in the sign by-law, however it would be located approximately 200 feet from the lands zoned residential on the north side of Wilson Ave. The sign by-law requires a minium of 500 feet, and this is the requirement from which the applicant is seeking relief.

The applicant contends that a back to back sign, with an internal angle of approximately 50 degrees, perpendicular to Wilson Ave. would not impact the residential properties along the north side of Wilson Ave., however an illuminated sign will be clearly visible to the residential properties to west of the proposed sign on the north side of Wilson Ave.

Currently there is an existing sign on the north-east corner of the railway corridor and Wilson Ave. The significant difference between the existing sign and proposed sign is that the existing sign is a single sided sign facing east along Wilson Ave. away from the residential properties, and facing into the industrial area to the east.

Conclusion:

It is the opinion of this department that the proposed sign could have a negative impact on residential area, particularly, the area to the north-west.

The variance is not minor in nature, the by-law requires 500 feet separation between residential zones and third party sign on a railway corridor, and permitting a sign within 200 feet is not minor nor is it keeping with the intent of the sign by-law.

Contact Person:

Mario Angelucci P. Eng.

Manager Plan Review (North District)

(416) 395-7535

Edward Tipping P. Eng.

Director and Deputy Chief Building Official

MA/ma

cc Councillor G. Mammoliti

Councillor J. Sgro

Sid Catalan