January 6, 1999

To:Toronto Community Council

From:Commissioner of Urban Planning and Development Services

Subject:3080 Yonge Street, Application No. 998068: Request for approval of variances from Chapter 297, Signs, of the former City of Toronto Municipal Code, upon application by Simon A. Simonsen/ Brill-Light Neon Signs Inc., 6380 Northwest Drive, Mississauga, Ontario L4V 1J7 on behalf of Excelsior Life Insurance, 79 Wellington Street West, Toronto, Ontario, M5K 1N9. (Ward 22 - North Toronto)

Purpose:

To review and make recommendations respecting an application for variances to permit two illuminated, wrap around, signs for identification purposes, on two columns of the building at 3080 Yonge Street.

Financial Implications:

Not applicable.

Recommendations:

1. That City Council approve Application No. 998068, respecting minor variances from Chapter 297, Signs, of the former City of Toronto Municipal Code to permit two illuminated, wrap around, signs on two columns of the building at 3080 Yonge Street on condition that:

(i)an existing unapproved, parking sign near the public sidewalk on the Yonge Street frontage of the building is removed prior to issuance of the necessary permits.

2. That the applicant be advised, upon approval of Application No. 998068, of the requirement to obtain the necessary permits from the Commissioner of Urban Planning and Development Services.

Comments:

The property is located on the northwest corner of Yonge Street and Lawrence Avenue West, in a mixed-use district. The property accommodates a six storey office building with retail uses at grade. The applicant is requesting permission to install two illuminated, wrap around, signs for identification (referred to as "A" and "B" on Figure 1), on two columns of the building. Each of the signs "A" and "B",will have a length of 4.04 metres and a height of 1.32 metres, with an area of 5.36 mē.

The signs do not comply with Chapter 297 of the Municipal Code in the following way:

1. a fascia sign (signs, A & B) is required to be mounted wholly against the wall of a building.

The variance occurs because both signs 'A' and 'B' do 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 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 residential uses. In this instance, both signs wrap around the columns but do not wholly mount against the wall of the building. However, both the signs closely resemble a fascia sign. Also, the signs appear to blend well with the building design and structural configuration. In my opinion, these signs will not adversely impact the building, surrounding uses or the streetscape.

The original application also requested a second variance for a proposed third sign, a ground sign on the Yonge Street frontage. During discussions, the applicant revised his plans so that a ground sign (sign 'C') is set back 2.0 metres from the streetline, as required by the Municipal Code. Also, the owner has agreed that as a condition of approval, he will remove the unapproved, existing parking sign from the Yonge Street frontage.

I am recommending approval of this application with a condition respecting the removal of existing parking sign, as I consider the requested variances 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) 392-0580

E-Mail: ngirdhar@toronto.ca

Beate Bowron

Director, Community Planning, South District

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