Sign By-law Variance Request - Billboard Roof Sign -
Raffaella Russo - 373 Wilson Avenue - North York Centre South
The North York Community Council recommends that the following report (October
27, 1999) from the Director and Deputy Chief Building Official, not be adopted; and
that the request for a minor variance from the sign by-law be approved:
Purpose:
Evaluate and make a recommendation concerning a request by Ms. Raffaella Russo, for a
variance from the Sign By-law to permit the erection of illuminated 10 foot by 20 foot third
party billboard sign on the roof of an existing 2-storey commercial building at 373 Wilson
Ave.
Recommendation:
It is recommended that the request for a minor variance from the sign by-law be refused.
Council Reference/Background/History:
The building on which the sign is proposed is located in a commercial zone (C1). The
building fronts on to Wilson Ave. and the proposed sign would face east and west on the
south side of Wilson Ave. The building on which the sign is proposed contains various retail
and restaurant uses on the first floor with residential and office suites on the second floor; this
type of building is very common in this area and is mirrored in use along the north and south
sides of Wilson Ave. On the roof of the subject building there are three (3) existing
illuminated roof signs approximately ten feet by twenty feet each. The proposed sign would be
located approximately 100 feet west of the existing roof signs.
Section 5.2.1.1 of the Sign By-law for roof signs in a commercial zone requires that roof signs
be located no closer than 500 feet from another roof sign, on the same side of the street.
Considering the various uses of the subject building and the various surrounding building, the
concentration of existing roof signs, the approval of this sign would result in a very high
concentration of roof signs within a small corridor and contribute to visual pollution of the
area. The Ward Councillors have been notified of this request and have been provided with a
copy of the report and attached plans.
Conclusions:
It is the opinion of this department that the proposed sign would:
(1)have negative impact on the area;
(2)not be a minor variance from the Sign By-law requirement; and
(3)not be in keeping with the intent of the Sign By-law requirements.
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Ms. Raffaella Russo appeared before the North York Community Council in connection with
the foregoing matter.
(A copy of the plans referred to in the foregoing report is on file in the office of the City
Clerk, North York Civic Centre.)