Variances from Chapter 297, Signs,
of the Former City of Toronto Municipal Code -
(Downtown, North Toronto and Don River)
The Toronto Community Council recommends the adoption of the following reports
from the Commissioner of Urban Planning and Development Services:
(January 6, 1999)
Purpose:
To review and make recommendations respecting an application for variances to permit two
illuminated, wrap around, signs for identification purposes, on two columns of the building at
3080 Yonge Street.
Financial Implications:
Not applicable.
Recommendations:
(1)That City Council approve Application No. 998068, respecting minor variances from
Chapter 297, Signs, of the former City of Toronto Municipal Code to permit two illuminated,
wrap around, signs on two columns of the building at 3080 Yonge Street on condition that:
(1)an existing unapproved, parking sign near the public sidewalk on the Yonge Street
frontage of the building is removed prior to issuance of the necessary permits; and
(2)That the applicant be advised, upon approval of Application No. 998068, of the
requirement to obtain the necessary permits from the Commissioner of Urban Planning and
Development Services.
Comments:
The property is located on the northwest corner of Yonge Street and Lawrence Avenue West,
in a mixed-use district. The property accommodates a six storey office building with retail
uses at grade. The applicant is requesting permission to install two illuminated, wrap around,
signs for identification (referred to as "A" and "B" on Figure 1), on two columns of the
building. Each of the signs "A" and "B",will have a length of 4.04 metres and a height of 1.32
metres, with an area of 5.36 m5.
The signs do not comply with Chapter 297 of the Municipal Code in the following way:
(I)a fascia sign (signs, A & B) is required to be mounted wholly against the wall of a
building.
The variance occurs because both signs `A' and `B' do not meet the definition of a fascia sign.
As defined by the Municipal Code, a fascia sign is to be mounted wholly against the wall or
parapet wall of a building or between the columns of an arcade. The intent of this provision is
to prevent and limit the possible negative impact of signage on the appearance of buildings to
which they are attached and on adjacent residential uses. In this instance, both signs wrap
around the columns but do not wholly mount against the wall of the building. However, both
the signs closely resemble a fascia sign. Also, the signs appear to blend well with the building
design and structural configuration. In my opinion, these signs will not adversely impact the
building, surrounding uses or the streetscape.
The original application also requested a second variance for a proposed third sign, a ground
sign on the Yonge Street frontage. During discussions, the applicant revised his plans so that a
ground sign (sign `C') is set back 2.0 metres from the streetline, as required by the Municipal
Code. Also, the owner has agreed that as a condition of approval, he will remove the
unapproved, existing parking sign from the Yonge Street frontage.
I am recommending approval of this application with a condition respecting the removal of
existing parking sign, as I consider the requested variances 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
(January 5, 1999)
Purpose:
To review and make recommendations respecting an application for variances to permit four
illuminated outrigger signs, four non-illuminated leader board signs and one illuminated
pedestal sign at 548 Richmond Street East.
Source of Funds:
Not applicable.
Recommendations:
It is recommended that:
(1)City Council approve Application No. 998081 respecting minor variances from Chapter
297, Signs, of the former City of Toronto Municipal Code to permit four illuminated outrigger
signs, four non-illuminated leader board signs and one illuminated pedestal sign; and
(2)The applicant be advised, upon approval of Application No. 998081, of the requirement to
obtain the necessary permits from the Commissioner of Urban Planning and Development
Services.
Comments:
The property is located on a block bounded by Richmond Street East, Parliament Street and
Power Street, in a reinvestment area (RA) district. The property accommodates an automotive
service station. The applicant is requesting permission to install new identification signage in
conjunction with the renovation of the existing service station (see Figures 1-4).
The signs do not comply with Chapter 297 of the Municipal Code in the following ways:
(1)the height of the pedestal sign (7.08 metres) exceeds the maximum height of sign
permitted of 4.5 metres by 2.58 metres;
(2)the pedestal sign will be set back less that 2 metres from the Richmond Street property
line;
(3)the outrigger sign are not a sign type defined under the Municipal Code and therefore are
not permitted; and
(4)more than one pedestal sign will be erected within both frontages of the lot.
The first two variances occur because the pedestal sign "A" will be higher than permitted by
the Municipal Code and would be set back 0.5 metres from the Richmond Street property line
instead of 2.0 metres. The variances are acceptable because the new sign would replace an
existing 7.0 metre high ground sign and the pedestal sign would be installed in the same
location as the existing sign, within a curbed landscaped area. The applicant has advised that
the sign cannot be set back any further because it would interfere with vehicles entering and
exiting the site.
The third variance is caused because the outrigger signs "B" are not a sign type defined under
the Municipal Code. The signs would be suspended 0.9 metres below the underside of the
service canopy and would be oriented east-west, parallel to the pump island. These signs are
small in size and illumination from these signs would be minimal. In my opinion, the signs
are necessary to identify the gas pumps.
The fourth variance occurs because the leader board signs "C" would be installed on either
end of the gas pumps resulting in two pedestal signs per frontage. The leader boards are used
to identify the type of fuel being sold at the pump and are non-illuminated and low in height
which I consider acceptable.
In my opinion, the signs are necessary and their approval will not prejudice the development
of Design Guidelines for automobile service stations and gas bars and proposed zoning by-law
amendments currently underway.
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 Name:
Lora Mazzocca
Telephone: (416) 392-0421
Fax: (416) 392-0580
E-Mail: lmazzocc@toronto.ca
(January 6, 1999)
Purpose:
To review and make recommendations respecting an application for a minor variance to
permit one non-illuminated fascia sign in the form of individual letters which identifies the
firm of 'Merrill Lynch' to be located on the west elevation at 181 Bay Street. The proposed
(Merrill Lynch) sign will replace an existing (Midland Walwyn) fascia sign.
Source of Funds:
Not applicable.
Recommendations:
(1)That City Council approve Application No. 998096 respecting a minor variance from
Chapter 297, Signs, of the former City of Toronto Municipal Code to permit one
non-illuminated fascia sign in the form of individual letters which identifies the firm of
`Merrill Lynch' to be located on the west elevation at 181 Bay Street; and
(2)That the applicant be advised, upon approval of Application No. 998096, of the
requirement to obtain the necessary permits from the Commissioner of Urban Planning and
Development Services.
Comments:
The subject property, known as `BCE Place', occupies the entire block bounded by Bay
Street, Wellington Street West, Yonge Street and Front Street West. There is a five storey
podium that runs along the Wellington Street West, Yonge Street and Bay Street frontages.
Two high-rise office towers sit atop of this podium.
The applicant is requesting permission to erect one non-illuminated fascia sign in the form of
individual letters which identifies the firm of `Merrill Lynch' to be located on the north end of
the west elevation at the uppermost floor of the podium at 181 Bay Street (see Figure 1). The
proposed (Merrill Lynch) sign is to replace an existing (Midland Walwyn) sign at that
location. The proposed sign has a length of 6.20 metres and a height of 0.71 metre, with an
area of 4.40 m5.
The sign does not comply with Chapter 297 of the Municipal Code in that only one
identification sign is permitted on a building face.
The number of signs permitted within a single building face is regulated so as to prevent
clutter and the negative impact of excessive signage on the building to which they are
attached, on the the streetscape and the surrounding uses.
In this instance, it is recognized that the building face is a block long. The three well spaced
signs of modest size (including the replacement sign) will not adversely impact the building,
surrounding uses or the streetscape.
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
(January 6, 1999)
Purpose:
To review and make recommendations respecting an application for a variance to install one
illuminated, fascia sign, consisting of individual letters at south end of the east elevation for
identification purposes at 48 Yonge Street.
Source of Funds:
Not applicable.
Recommendations:
(1)That City Council approve Application No. 998084 respecting a minor variance from
Chapter 297, Signs, of the former City of Toronto Municipal Code to install one illuminated
fascia sign at south end of the east elevation at 48 Yonge Street; and
(2)That the applicant be advised, upon approval of Application No. 998084, of the
requirement to obtain the necessary permits from the Commissioner of Urban Planning and
Development Services.
Comments:
The property is located on the northwest corner of Yonge Street and Wellington Street west,
in a mixed-use district. The property accommodates an 11-storey office building. The
applicant is requesting permission to install one illuminated fascia sign at south end of the east
elevation for identification purposes (see Figure 1). The sign has a length of 6.96 metres and a
height of 0.61 metre, with an area of 4.24 m5.
The sign does not comply with Chapter 297 of the Municipal Code in that the sign will be
partially located on the third storey. Signs are permitted to be located only within the first two
storeys of a building. The intent of this provision is to restrict signs to their traditional location
in order to minimize the impact of signage on the building to which they are attached, on the
streetscape and on the adjacent residential uses.
A site visit by staff has confirmed that the building has a glass facade and no reasonable
opportunities for signage exist below this level on the east frontage of the building. In this
instance, although the sign will be located slightly above the top limit of the second storey, it
would extend only by 0.3 metre into the third storey of the building and it would be erected on
the sign-band provided for signage. Further, the surrounding uses are commercial in nature
and, in my opinion, the proposed sign will not adversely impact the building, surrounding
uses or the streetscape.
I am, therefore, 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
(December 31, 1998)
Purpose:
To review and make recommendations respecting an application for a variance to permit two
illuminated, fascia signs for identification purposes in the form of a logo and corporate name.
The sign on the south frontage of the building on Adelaide Street will show AHampton
Securities Limited@ and on the east frontage on Yonge Street, it will be ADeeb & Company
Limited@.
Source of Funds:
Not applicable.
Recommendations:
(1)That City Council approve Application No. 998056 respecting a minor variance from
Chapter 297, Signs, of the former City of Toronto Municipal Code to permit two illuminated,
fascia signs for identification purposes in the form of a logo and corporate name at 118 Yonge
Street; and
(2)That the applicant be advised, upon approval of Application No. 998056, of the
requirement to obtain the necessary permits from the Commissioner of Urban Planning and
Development Services.
Comments:
The property is located on the northwest corner of Yonge Street and Adelaide Street, in a
mixed-use district. The property accommodates a four-storey commercial building. The
applicant is requesting permission to erect two illuminated, fascia signs in the form of a logo
and corporate name for identification purposes (see Figure 1). The sign (Hampton Securities
Limited) on the south frontage has a length of 14.31 metres and a height of 0.91 metre, with
an area of 13.02 m5; and the sign (Deeb & Company Limited) on the east frontage has a
length of 9.41 metres and a height of 0.69 metre, with an area of 6.49 m5.
The signs do not comply with Chapter 297 of the Municipal Code in that the signs are not
located above the required height of 34 metres. The Municipal Code requires illuminated logo
signs to be located within the uppermost storey of buildings and higher than 34 metres above
grade in order to reduce their visual impact on the streetscape, on the buildings to which they
are attached and on adjacent uses.
In this instance, though the proposed signs do not meet the 34 metres height requirement, they
would be erected on the uppermost storey of the building. The signs consisting of individual
letters are designed to blend in with the historical nature and colour of the building. Also, the
applicant has advised that in order to minimize the impact of illumination, the individual
letters would have neon back-light.
It is my opinion that given their overall modest size and design, the proposed signs would not
impact the building, surrounding uses or the streetscape. 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
