July 30, 1999
To:Toronto Community Council
From:Acting Commissioner of Urban Planning and Development Services
Subject:30 The Queensway, Application No. 999045: Request for approval of variances from Chapter 297, Signs, of the
former City of Toronto Municipal Code, upon application by Sharon L. Dionne of Borden & Elliot on behalf St. Joseph's
Health Centre, 30 The Queensway, Toronto, Ontario, M6R 1B5. (Ward 19 - High Park)
Purpose:
To review and make recommendations respecting an application for minor variances to maintain five illuminated fascia
signs for identification purposes at (St. Joseph's Health Centre) 30 The Queensway.
Source of Funds:
Not applicable.
Recommendations:
- That City Council approve Application No. 999045 respecting minor variances from Chapter 297, Signs, of the former
City of Toronto Municipal Code to maintain five illuminated fascia signs at (St. Joseph's Health Centre) 30 The
Queensway.
- That the applicant be advised, upon approval of Application No. 999045, of the requirement to obtain the necessary
permits from the Commissioner of Urban Planning and Development Services.
Comments:
The property known as "St. Joseph's Health Centre", an eight storey building is listed by Council under the Ontario
Heritage Act. The property is located on a block bounded by Glendale Avenue, Sunnyside Avenue and The Queensway, in
a residential zone district. The applicant is requesting permission to maintain five illuminated fascia signs for identification
purposes.
The five signs are shown on the attached plans and involve the following words and dimensions:
on the West Elevation:
(a) Fascia Sign # 1 "H" is 3.05 metres long and 3.05 metres high, with an area of 9.30 mē.
(b) Fascia Sign # 4 "The New" is 3.66 metres long and 2.03 metres high, with an area 7.43 mē.
(c) Fascia Sign # 5 "St. Joseph's Health Centre" is 13.72 metres long and 3.15 metres high, with an area 43.22 mē.
on the Southeast Elevation:
(d) Fascia Sign # 2 "The New" is 1.82 metres long and1.02 metres high, with an area 1.86 mē.
on the South Elevation:
(e) Fascia Sign # 3 "The New" is 1.82 metres long and1.02 metres high, with an area 1.86 mē.
on the West Elevation: for Fascia Sign # 1, Fascia Sign # 4 & Fascia Sign # 5
The signs do not comply with Chapter 297 of the Municipal Code in the following ways:
1. the area of the sign # 1 (9.30 mē) exceeds by 6.80 mē, the area of the sign # 4 (7.43 mē) exceeds by 4.93 mē, and the area
of the sign # 5 (43.22 mē) exceeds by 40.72 mē the maximum 2.50 mē sign area for each of the sign permitted by the
Municipal Code;
2. the height of the sign # 1 (3.05 metres) exceeds by 1.05 metres, the height of the sign # 4 (2.03 metres) exceeds by 0.03
metre, and the height of the sign # 5 (3.15metres) exceeds by 1.15 metres the maximum 2.00 metres sign height for each of
the fascia sign permitted by the Municipal Code; and
3.only one fascia sign for the purpose of identification is permitted on any frontage of a building.
The first and second variances relate to the area and height of the signs. The area and the height of the signs is regulated in
order to reduce the visual impact of signs on the streetscape and on the buildings to which they are attached. In this case,
however, the signs are erected on a block long frontage of an eight storey hospital building. Although larger than permitted,
it is my opinion that these well designed and properly spaced signs do not adversely impact the building or streetcape.
The third variance relates to the number of signs permitted within a single frontage, which is regulated so as to prevent sign
clutter. Given that the west frontage is a block long, these well spaced signs are acceptable.
on the South-East Elevation: for Fascia Sign # 2,
The sign does not comply with Chapter 297 of the Municipal Code in that only one fascia sign for the purpose of
identification is permitted on any frontage of a building. A small size additional fascia sign does not impact the building or
the streetcape.
on the South Elevation: for Fascia Sign # 3
The sign does not comply with Chapter 297 of the Municipal Code in that only one fascia sign for the purpose of
identification is permitted on any frontage of a building.
The south elevation is also a block long and a small size additional fascia sign does not impact the building or the
streetcape.
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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