March 5, 1999

To:Toronto Community Council

From:Commissioner of Urban Planning and Development Services

Subject:1450 St. Clair Avenue West, Application No. 999003: Request for approval of variances from Chapter 297, Signs, of the former City of Toronto Municipal Code, upon application by Vincent A. Crisanti / Royal Neon Canada Inc., 50 Four Valley Drive, Concord, Ontario, L4K 4T9, on behalf of Mount Pleasant Group, 65 Overlea Blvd., Toronto, Ontario, M4H 1P1. (Ward 21 - Davenport)

Purpose:

To review and make recommendations respecting an application for minor variances to permit two illuminated pedestal signs for identification purposes at 1450 St. Clair Avenue West.

Source of Funds:

Not applicable.

Recommendations:

1. That City Council approve Application No. 999003 respecting minor variances from Chapter 297, Signs, of the former City of Toronto Municipal Code to permit two illuminated pedestal signs for identification purposes at 1450 St. Clair Avenue West.

2. That the applicant be advised, upon approval of Application No. 999003, of the requirement to obtain the necessary permits from the Commissioner of Urban Planning and Development Services.

Comments:

The subject property, known as "Prospect Cemetery ", fronts on the north side of St. Clair Avenue West between Harvie Avenue and Mc Roberts Avenue, in a "G" (park) zoning district.

The applicant is requesting permission to erect two illuminated pedestal signs for identification purposes, on the east side and west side of the main entrance gateway, at 1450 St. Clair Avenue West (see Figure 1). Each sign will have a length of 3.96 metres and a height of 1.42 metres, with an area of 5.62 mē.

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

1. the horizontal dimensions of each of the proposed sign (3.96 metres) exceeds by 1.66 metres the maximum 2.30 metres permitted by the Municipal Code;

2. the area of each of the proposed sign (5.62 mē ) exceeds by 5.37 mē the maximum 0.25 mē sign area permitted by the Municipal Code; and

3. only one pedestal sign for the purpose of identification is permitted within any frontage of a property.

The first variance occurs because the horizontal dimensions of each of the proposed sign (3.96 metres ) exceed by 1.66 metres the maximum 2.30 metres permitted by the Municipal Code.

The horizontal dimension of the pedestal signs is regulated so as to minimize the visual intrusiveness and to protect sight-lines for motorists, cyclists and pedestrians. In this case, the entrance gateway is set back about six metres from the property line. The signs will be erected in the flower beds, in front of the semi-circular portion of the fenced wall, on the east side and west side of the entrance gateway (see Figure 1). Since the signs are substantially set back from the property line, in my opinion, they will not be visually intrusive for motorists, cyclists and pedestrians.

The second variance occurs because the area of each of the signs (5.62 mē ) exceeds by 5.37 mē the maximum 0.25 mē sign area permitted by the Municipal Code.

Signs permitted in the "G" (park) zoning districts are required to be small and low in order to limit any negative impact the sign may have on the users of the park, on the streetscape and on the adjacent uses. In this instance, though larger than the permitted size, the signs are substantially set back from the property line and need to be visible from the street, which I consider appropriate.

The third variance occurs because only one pedestal sign is permitted within any frontage of the property. In this instance, the variance is technical in nature because the orientation of each of the sign is set at an angle of approximately 45 degrees in relation to the St. Clair West property line and facing southeast and southwest respectively. Only one sign would be visible to the motorists and pedestrians travelling along St. Clair Avenue West. It is my opinion that the signs will not adversely impact the cemetery, surrounding uses or the streetscape.

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:

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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