October 8, 1999

To: Toronto Community Council

From: Acting Commissioner of Urban Planning and Development

Subject: 310 Bloor Street West, Application No. 999055: Request for approval of variances from Chapter 297, Signs, of the former City of Toronto Municipal Code, upon application by Juri J. Nurmberg on behalf of Tartu College, 310 Bloor Street West, Toronto, Ontario, M5S 1W4.

(Ward 23 - Midtown)

Purpose:

To review and make recommendations for an application for minor variances to permit one illuminated pedestal sign, for identification purposes, on the south-east corner of the property at 310 Bloor Street West.

Financial Implications and Impact Statement:

There are no financial implications and impact statements resulting from the adoption of this report.

Recommendations:

It is recommended that:

1. City Council approve Application No. 999055 for minor variances from Chapter 297, Signs, of the former City of Toronto Municipal Code to permit one illuminated pedestal sign, for identification purposes, on the south-east corner of the property at 310 Bloor Street West.

2. The applicant be advised, upon approval of Application No. 999055, of the requirement to obtain the necessary permits from the Commissioner of Urban Planning and Development Services.

Comments:

The property is located on the northeast corner of Bloor Street West and Madison Avenue, in a (MCR) mixed-use zone district. The property accommodates a 17-storey office building with a restaurant at the grade level.

The applicant is requesting permission to erect one illuminated pedestal sign, for identification purposes, on the south-east corner of the property. The sign is 1.37 metres long and 1.37 metres high, with an area of 1.88 m (see Figure 1). The sign will be erected on top of a 0.76 metre high decorative concrete wall.

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

1. the proposed pedestal sign will not be erected on the ground, instead it will be erected on top of a concrete wall; and

2 the proposed sign will be located less than 2.0 metres from the street line.

With regard to the first variance, the 0.76 metre high concrete wall will act as a base for the proposed sign. It is my opinion that this design is acceptable.

The second variance relates to the setback requirement for pedestal signs which is aimed at ensuring that commercial streetscapes and view corridors are preserved and enhanced and sight lines for motorists, cyclists and pedestrians are improved. Although the sign is set back only 0.1 metre, it does not block sight lines or otherwise endanger or inconvenience pedestrians. Further, the owner has agreed that as a condition of approval he will subject to a condition that owner remove A-Frame and an existing ground sign prior to the issuance of the necessary permits. from the public sidewalk and the south-east corner of the property.

I am recommending approval of this application, subject to a condition that owner remove an existing ground sign and A-Frame sign prior to the issuance of the necessary permits. 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

List of Attachments: Report maps / graphics

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