October 15, 1999
To: Toronto Community Council
From: Acting Commissioner of Urban Planning and Development Services
Subject: 60 Bloor Street West, Application No. 999061: Request for approval of variances from Chapter 297, Signs, of the
former City of Toronto Municipal Code, upon application by Jeff Hardy/Quadrangle Architects on behalf of 60 Bloor
Street West Limited, 60 Bloor Street West, Suite # 1102, Toronto, Ontario, M4W 3B8. (Ward 23 - Midtown)
Purpose:
To review and make recommendations for an application for minor variances to permit, for identification purposes, two
illuminated fascia signs and three illuminated projecting signs at 60 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. 999061 for a minor variance from Chapter 297, Signs, of the former City of
Toronto Municipal Code to permit, for identification purposes, two illuminated fascia signs and three illuminated
projecting signs at 60 Bloor Street West.
(2) The applicant be advised, upon approval of Application No. 999061, of the requirement to obtain the necessary permits
from the Commissioner of Urban Planning and Development Services.
Background:
Comments:
The property is located on the northeast corner of Bloor Street West and Bay Street, in a (CR) mixed-use zone district. The
property contains a 15-storey office building with retail uses at grade level. The applicant is requesting permission to erect
one illuminated fascia sign plus two illuminated projecting banner signs on the Bloor Street elevation and one illuminated
fascia sign plus one illuminated projecting banner sign on the Bay Street elevation. Each fascia sign is 3.76 metres long and
4.91 metres high, with an area of 18.46 mē and each projecting banner sign is 0.91 metre long and 3.13 metres high, with
an area of 2.85 mē (see Figure 1).
The signs do not comply with Chapter 297 of the Municipal Code in the following ways:
1. the proposed fascia signs do not comply with the definition of a fascia sign;
2. the portion of the fascia sign on the second storey of the Bay Street elevation exceeds the maximum 15% area of the unit
frontage permitted for that storey;
3. the aggregate area of projecting banner signs on the Bloor Street elevation (5.71 mē) exceeds by 1.87 mē, the maximum
3.84 mē aggregate sign area permitted; and
4. the banner signs project 1.44 metres over the public sidewalk which exceeds, by 0.44 metre, the maximum 1.0 metre
sign projection permitted.
The first variance occurs because the fascia signs will be erected in niches, specially designed for these signs, in the south
and west wall of the building. The signs most closely resemble a fascia sign, except that they will not be placed directly
against the wall of a building. I consider this variance to be technical in nature and therefore acceptable.
Regarding the second variance, the portion of the fascia sign on the second storey of the Bay Street elevation exceeds the
maximum 15% area of the unit frontage permitted for that storey. This provision is in place in order to reduce the visual
impact of signs on the streetscape and on buildings to which they are attached. In this case, the sign has been sized and
positioned to complement the proportions of this narrow building facade.
The third variance relates to the aggregate area of projecting banner signs on the Bloor Street elevation. The maximum area
for a projecting sign is based on the amount of frontage the commercial unit has on the street. In this instance, the frontage
of the commercial unit is comparatively narrow (25.1 metres). However, the frontage of the building in which the unit is
located is 42.0 metres long and the size of the proposed signs is, in my opinion, appropriate.
The fourth variance results from the extent of the signs projection from the building face. The proposed projecting banner
signs, although extending over the public sidewalk, will be located above the second storey of the building. The extent of
projection will not endanger or inconvenience pedestrians.
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
List of Attachments: Report maps / graphics
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