June 16, 1999

To:Toronto Community Council

From:Commissioner of Urban Planning and Development Services

Subject:280 Coxwell Avenue, Application No. 999020: Request for approval of a variance from Chapter 297, Signs, of the former City of Toronto Municipal Code, upon application by Sam Tom Architect, 15 St. Andrew Street, # 200, Toronto, Ontario M5T 1K7, on behalf of 1196153 Ontario Inc., 735 Queen Street East, Unit 1, Toronto, Ontario, M4M 1H1. (Ward 26 - East Toronto)

Purpose:

To review and make recommendations respecting an application for a variance to maintain one illuminated fascia sign for identification purposes at 280 Coxwell Avenue.

Source of Funds:

Not applicable.

Recommendations:

1. That City Council approve Application No. 999020 respecting a minor variance from Chapter 297, Signs, of the former City of Toronto Municipal Code to maintain one illuminated fascia sign for identification purposes at 280 Coxwell Avenue.
2. That the applicant be advised, upon approval of Application No. 999020, of the requirement to obtain the necessary permits from the Commissioner of Urban Planning and Development Services.

Comments:

The property is located on the west side of Coxwell Avenue between Gerrard Street and Fairford Avenue in a mixed-use zoning district. The property accommodates a two storey commercial building with a Bingo Hall on the main floor and a restaurant, "Adam's Sports Cafe", in the basement of the building. The applicant is seeking permission to maintain one illuminated fascia sign for identification purposes for the basement tenant, "Adam's Sports Cafe", on the front wall at the first floor level of the building. The sign is 6.00 metres long and 0.30 metre high , with an area of 1.80 mē (see Figure 1).

The sign does not comply with Chapter 297 of the Municipal Code in that fascia sign is not located on the wall of the commercial unit of the tenant. Approval of a sign variance application is required because the sign is not located on the wall of the commercial unit of the tenant.

In this case, no opportunity exists for the basement tenant to display a fascia sign for identification on the wall of his unit. I consider the variance to be technical in nature and therefore acceptable.

I am, therefore, 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

(p:/1999/ug/uds/pln/to991899.pln/)-tt