STAFF REPORT

October 27, 1999

To: Toronto Community Council

From: Acting Commissioner of Urban Planning and Development Services

Subject: 1055 Gerrard Street East, Application No. 999079: Request for approval of minor 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 Ingram Funeral Home Inc., 1055 Gerrard Street East, Toronto, Ontario, M4B 3N3.

Don River

Purpose:

To review and make recommendations for an application for minor variances to permit the replacement of an existing non-conforming illuminated projecting sign, for identification purposes, on the front porch of the building at 1055 Gerrard Street East.

Financial Implications:

There are no financial implications resulting from the adoption of the report.

Recommendations:

It is recommended that:

(1) City Council approve Application No. 999079 for minor variances from Chapter 297, Signs, of the former City of Toronto Municipal Code to permit the replacement of an existing non-conforming illuminated projecting sign, for identification purposes, on the front porch of the building at 1055 Gerrard Street East.

(2) The applicant be advised, upon approval of Application No. 999079, of the requirement to obtain the necessary permits from the Commissioner of Urban Planning and Development Services.

Comments:

The property is located west of Jones Avenue, on the south side of Gerrard Street East, in a (MCR) mixed-use zone district. The property contains a two-storey building used as a funeral home and chapel. The applicant is requesting permission to replace an existing illuminated projecting sign, on the front porch of the building. The sign is 2.50 metres long and 1.92 metres high, with an area of 3.73 mē (see Figure 1 & 3).

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

1. signs erected on the roof of a building are not permitted in this area;

2. the area of the projecting sign (3.7 mē) exceeds by 1.90 mē, the maximum 1.8 mē sign area permitted;

3. the sign projects 1.93 metres over the public sidewalk, which exceeds by 0.93 metre the maximum 1.0 metre sign projection permitted;

4. the sign is required to be a minimum of 0.6 metre from the curb line; and

5. the encroaching sign will require approval from the City Works Department.

The existing " Ingram Funeral Home" illuminated projecting sign, with a time and temperature unit, has been at this location for over fifteen years. Due to a recent ownership change, the proposal is to replace the sign to incorporate a new corporate name "Cheung-On Chapel, Ingram Funeral Home" and also to change the shape of the sign (see Figure 3). The shape and copy on the proposed sign is slightly modified, but the set back, location, position and overall size of the rectangular core of the sign remains unchanged. The modified sign will not adversly impact the building, streetscape or the surrounding uses. The slight modifications proposed 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: 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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