January 12, 1999

To:Toronto Community Council

From:Commissioner of Urban Planning and Development Services

Subject:118 Yonge Street, Application No. 998056: Request for approval of a variance from Chapter 297, Signs, of the former City of Toronto Municipal Code, upon application by Dominic Rotundo / Neon Products Ltd., 453 Chancellor Drive, Woodbridge, Ontario, L4L 5E1 on behalf of Yonge Adelaide Realty Inc., 14 Adelaide Street West, Suite 201, Toronto, Ontario, M4L 3E3. (Ward 24 - Downtown)

Purpose:

To review and make recommendations respecting an application for a variance to permit two illuminated, fascia signs for identification purposes in the form of a logo and corporate name. The sign on the south frontage of the building on Adelaide Street will show "Hampton Securities Limited" and on the east frontage on Yonge Street, it will be "Deeb & Company Limited".

Source of Funds:

Not applicable.

Recommendations:

1. That City Council approve Application No. 998056 respecting a minor variance from Chapter 297, Signs, of the former City of Toronto Municipal Code to permit two illuminated, fascia signs for identification purposes in the form of a logo and corporate name at 118 Yonge Street.

2. That the applicant be advised, upon approval of Application No. 998056, 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 Adelaide Street, in a mixed-use district. The property accommodates a four-storey commercial building. The applicant is requesting permission to erect two illuminated, fascia signs in the form of a logo and corporate name for identification purposes (see Figure 1). The sign (Hampton Securities Limited) on the south frontage has a length of 14.31 metres and a height of 0.91 metre, with an area of 13.02 mē; and the sign (Deeb & Company Limited) on the east frontage has a length of 9.41 metres and a height of 0.69 metre, with an area of 6.49 mē.

The signs do not comply with Chapter 297 of the Municipal Code in that the signs are not located above the required height of 34 metres. The Municipal Code requires illuminated logo signs to be located within the uppermost storey of buildings and higher than 34 metres above grade in order to reduce their visual impact on the streetscape, on the buildings to which they are attached and on adjacent uses.

In this instance, though the proposed signs do not meet the 34 metres height requirement, they would be erected on the uppermost storey of the building. The signs consisting of individual letters are designed to blend in with the historical nature and colour of the building. Also, the applicant has advised that in order to minimize the impact of illumination, the individual letters would have neon back-light.

It is my opinion that given their overall modest size and design, the proposed signs would not impact the building, surrounding uses or the streetscape. Staff of the Toronto Historical Board have reviewed the plans and have advised that they are acceptable.

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) 392-0580

E-Mail: ngirdhar@toronto.ca

Beate Bowron

Director, Community Planning, South District

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