May 28, 1999
To:Toronto Community Council
From:Commissioner of Urban Planning and Development Services
Subject:590 Keele Street, Application No. 999037: Request for approval of variances from Chapter 297, Signs, of the
former City of Toronto Municipal Code, upon application by Basil Livingston, 12 Upjohn Road, Unit 7, Toronto, Ontario,
M3B 2V9, on behalf of Kowalchuk Development Corp., 12 Upjohn Road, Unit 7, Toronto, Ontario, M3B 2V9 (Ward
21-Davenport)
Purpose:
To review and make recommendations respecting an application for variances to permit one illuminated ground sign for
identification purposes at 590 Keele Street.
Source of Funds:
Not applicable.
Recommendations:
- That City Council approve Application No. 999037 respecting minor variances from Chapter 297, Signs, of the former
City of Toronto Municipal Code to permit one illuminated ground sign for identification purposes at 590 Keele Street.
- That the applicant be advised, upon approval of Application No. 999037, of the requirement to obtain the necessary
permits from the Commissioner of Urban Planning and Development Services.
Comments:
The property is located south of St. Clair Avenue West, on the west side of Keele Street in an Industrial-Commercial (IC)
zoning district. The property accommodates a newly constructed Commercial / Retail Plaza. The applicant is requesting
permission to erect one illuminated ground sign for identification purpose. The lower portion of the sign is 3.40 metres
long and 2.70 metres high and the upper portion of the sign is 2.44 metres long and 6.21 metres high, with a total area of
24.33 mē (see Figure 2). The total height of the sign from grade is 11.00 metres.
The sign does not comply with Chapter 297 of the Municipal Code in the following ways:
1. ground signs are required to be set back 2.0 metres from the property line; and
2. the height of the proposed ground sign (11.00 metres) exceeds by 1.0 metre the permitted height of 10.00 metres.
The setback requirement for ground signs is aimed at ensuring that, where possible, an open, uncluttered view corridor is
maintained along commercial streets and that sight lines for motorists, cyclists and pedestrians are improved.
As the adjacent building "B" on the north end of the property is built to the lot line, this sign is also proposed to be placed
0.5 metre from to the lot line to ensure visibility to motorists. An increased setback would only marginally improve the
view corridors and sight lines along Keele Street. In this instance, I am willing to accept the location of the sign because
the sign is set back 6.5 metres from the curb line and 4.4 metres from the new sidewalk.
The second variance requesting a higher sign than permitted is acceptable. By permitting the sign to be at 11.0 metres
above grade, the applicant intends to ensure that the sign can be seen to the north and south bound motorists travelling
along Keele Street.
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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