January 12, 1999

To:Toronto Community Council

From:Commissioner of Urban Planning and Development Services

Subject:548 Richmond Street East, Application No.998081: Request for approval of variances from Chapter 297, Signs, of the former City of Toronto Municipal Code, upon application by Vincent Planning, 250 The Esplanade, Suite 302, Toronto, Ontario, M5A 1J2, on behalf of Shell Canada Products Ltd., 90 Sheppard Avenue East, Toronto, Ontario, M2N 6X2. (Don River)

Purpose:

To review and make recommendations respecting an application for variances to permit four illuminated outrigger signs, four non-illuminated leader board signs and one illuminated pedestal sign at 548 Richmond Street East.

Source of Funds:

Not applicable.

Recommendations:

It is recommended that:

1. City Council approve Application No. 998081 respecting minor variances from Chapter 297, Signs, of the former City of Toronto Municipal Code to permit four illuminated outrigger signs, four non-illuminated leader board signs and one illuminated pedestal sign.

2. The applicant be advised, upon approval of Application No. 998081, of the requirement to obtain the necessary permits from the Commissioner of Urban Planning and Development Services.

Comments:

The property is located on a block bounded by Richmond Street East, Parliament Street and Power Street, in a reinvestment area (RA) district. The property accommodates an automotive service station. The applicant is requesting permission to install new identification signage in conjunction with the renovation of the existing service station (see Figures 1-4).

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

1. the height of the pedestal sign (7.08 metres) exceeds the maximum height of sign permitted of 4.5 metres by 2.58 metres;

2. the pedestal sign will be set back less that 2 metres from the Richmond Street property line;

3. the outrigger sign are not a sign type defined under the Municipal Code and therefore are not permitted; and

4. more than one pedestal sign will be erected within both frontages of the lot.

The first two variances occur because the pedestal sign "A" will be higher than permitted by the Municipal Code and would be set back 0.5 metres from the Richmond Street property line instead of 2.0 metres. The variances are acceptable because the new sign would replace an existing 7.0 metre high ground sign and the pedestal sign would be installed in the same location as the existing sign, within a curbed landscaped area. The applicant has advised that the sign cannot be set back any further because it would interfere with vehicles entering and exiting the site.

The third variance is caused because the outrigger signs "B" are not a sign type defined under the Municipal Code. The signs would be suspended 0.9 metres below the underside of the service canopy and would be oriented east-west, parallel to the pump island. These signs are small in size and illumination from these signs would be minimal. In my opinion, the signs are necessary to identify the gas pumps.

The fourth variance occurs because the leader board signs "C" would be installed on either end of the gas pumps resulting in two pedestal signs per frontage. The leader boards are used to identify the type of fuel being sold at the pump and are non-illuminated and low in height which I consider acceptable.

In my opinion, the signs are necessary and their approval will not prejudice the development of Design Guidelines for automobile service stations and gas bars and proposed zoning by-law amendments currently underway.

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) 392-0580

E-Mail: lmazzocc@toronto.ca

Beate Bowron

Director, Community Planning, South District

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