October 8, 1999

To: Toronto Community Council

From: Acting Commissioner of Urban Planning and Development

Subject: 117 Peter Street, Application No. 999067: Request for approval of variances from Chapter 297, Signs, of the former City of Toronto Municipal Code, upon application by Dominic Rotundo / Neon Products Ltd., 453 Chancellor Drive, Woodbridge, Ontario, L4L 5E1 on behalf of The Great West - Life Insurance Co., 200 King Street West, Suite 1400, Toronto, Ontario, M5H 3T4.

(Ward 24 - Downtown)

Purpose:

To review and make recommendations for an application for minor variances to permit the owner to maintain, for identification purposes, one illuminated fascia sign on the north building elevation at 117 Peter Street.

Recommendations:

It is recommended that:

1. That City Council approve Application No. 999067 for minor variances from Chapter 297, Signs, of the former City of Toronto Municipal Code to permit the owner to maintain, for identification purposes, one illuminated fascia sign on the north building elevation of the building at 117 Peter Street.

2. That the applicant be advised, upon approval of Application No. 999067, of the requirement to obtain the necessary permits from the Commissioner of Urban Planning and Development Services.

Comments:

The property is located on the south-east corner of Richmond Street West and Peter Street, in the King-Spadina Reinvestment Area. The property accommodates a three-storey commercial building with a night club known as "Tonic" on the first floor level. The applicant is requesting permission to maintain, for identification purposes, one illuminated fascia sign on the north building elevation. The sign is 3.66 metres long and 2.13 metres high, with an area of 7.80 mē (see Figure 1).

The sign does not comply with Chapter 297 of the Municipal Code in the following ways:

1. the sign will not be mounted wholly against the wall of the building; and

2. the sign will partially block a window of the building.

The first variance occurs because the sign is mounted against a steel frame, which is, in turn, mounted against the wall of the building. The sign closely resembles a fascia sign, except that it is not placed directly against the wall of the building. I consider this variance to be technical in nature and therefore acceptable.

Regarding the second variance, a site visit by staff has confirmed that the sign slightly extends over the window's frame only and it does not affect any light access nor views and is therefore 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:

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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