August 12, 1999
To:Toronto Community Council
From:Acting Commissioner of Urban Planning and Development Services
Subject:193 Yonge Street, Application No. 999046: Request for approval of variances from Chapter 297, Signs, of the
former City of Toronto Municipal Code, upon application by David Mackie / Cieslok Outdoor, 1881 Yonge Street,
Toronto, Ontario, M4C 3C4 on behalf of 193 Yonge Street ( Toronto) Inc., 193 Yonge Street, Toronto,Ontario, M5B 1M8.
(Ward 24 - Downtown)
Purpose:
To review and make recommendations respecting an application for variances to permit one illuminated mural sign on the
north elevation and one illuminated mural sign on the south elevation for first party advertising purposes at 193 Yonge
Street.
Source of Funds:
Not applicable.
Recommendations:
- That City Council approve application No. 999046 respecting minor variances from Chapter 297, Signs, of the former
City of Toronto Municipal Code to permit one illuminated mural sign on the north elevation and one illuminated mural
sign on the south elevation for first party advertising purposes at 193 Yonge Street.
Comments:
The property is located on the east side of Yonge Street, in a mixed-use zoning district. The property accommodates an
eight storey mixed-use commercial building, which is designated historical under the Ontario Heritage Act. The applicant
is requesting permission to erect one illuminated mural sign on the north elevation and one on the south elevation of the
building for first party advertising purposes. The sign on the north elevation is 3.66 metres long and 6.71 metres high, with
an area of 24.56 mē and the "L" shaped sign on the south elevation is 9.76 metres long and 9.76 metres high with an area of
65.49 mē (95.26 mē- 29.77 mē, see Figure 1).
The signs do not comply with Chapter 297 of the Municipal Code in the following ways:
1. the first party advertising, illuminated mural sign, if erected above the fourth storey of the building which does not face a
street is not permitted.
- the area of the proposed sign on the south elevation ( 65.49 mē) exceeds by 40.49 mē the maximum 25.00 mē sign area
for the illuminated mural sign permitted by the Municipal Code.
The first variance has to do with the height limit of the signs above grade. The regulation is aimed at preserving the
appearance of commercial streetscapes and minimizing the negative impact of illuminated signs on the adjacent residential
uses. On both the north and the south elevation of the building, the signs are proposed to be painted over the top of the
location where mural signs were painted previously. Also, there is no viable opportunity to display the proposed signs
below the fourth floor of the building. The surrounding uses are commercial in nature and there are no residential units in
the immediate vicinity. It is my opinion that the signs would not impact the commercial streetscape or the surrounding
uses.
The second variance relates to the size of the signs on the building. This provision restricts the size of signs in order to
minimize their impact on the streetscape and on the buildings to which they are attached. The signs would be installed
along the blank portion of the north wall and south wall of the building. The signs have been sized and positioned to
compliment the proportions of the side walls and the architectural features of the building.
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 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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