Variances from Chapter 297, Signs,
of the Former City of Toronto Municipal Code -
(Davenport and Downtown)
The Toronto Community Council recommends the adoption of the following reports from the Commissioner of
Urban Planning and Development Services:
(March 5, 1999)
Purpose:
To review and make recommendations respecting an application for minor variances to permit two illuminated pedestal
signs for identification purposes at 1450 St. Clair Avenue West.
Source of Funds:
Not applicable.
Recommendations:
(1)That City Council approve Application No. 999003 respecting minor variances from Chapter 297, Signs, of the former
City of Toronto Municipal Code to permit two illuminated pedestal signs for identification purposes at 1450 St. Clair
Avenue West.
(2)That the applicant be advised, upon approval of Application No. 999003, of the requirement to obtain the necessary
permits from the Commissioner of Urban Planning and Development Services.
Comments:
The subject property, known as "Prospect Cemetery ", fronts on the north side of St. Clair Avenue West between Harvie
Avenue and Mc Roberts Avenue, in a "G" (park) zoning district.
The applicant is requesting permission to erect two illuminated pedestal signs for identification purposes, on the east side
and west side of the main entrance gateway, at 1450 St. Clair Avenue West (see Figure 1). Each sign will have a length of
3.96 metres and a height of 1.42 metres, with an area of 5.62 mē.
The signs do not comply with Chapter 297 of the Municipal Code in the following ways:
1.the horizontal dimensions of each of the proposed sign (3.96 metres) exceeds by 1.66 metres the maximum 2.30 metres
permitted by the Municipal Code;
2.the area of each of the proposed sign (5.62 mē ) exceeds by 5.37 mē the maximum 0.25 mē sign area permitted by the
Municipal Code; and
3.only one pedestal sign for the purpose of identification is permitted within any frontage of a property.
The first variance occurs because the horizontal dimensions of each of the proposed sign (3.96 metres ) exceed by 1.66
metres the maximum 2.30 metres permitted by the Municipal Code.
The horizontal dimension of the pedestal signs is regulated so as to minimize the visual intrusiveness and to protect
sight-lines for motorists, cyclists and pedestrians. In this case, the entrance gateway is set back about six metres from the
property line. The signs will be erected in the flower beds, in front of the semi-circular portion of the fenced wall, on the
east side and west side of the entrance gateway (see Figure 1). Since the signs are substantially set back from the property
line, in my opinion, they will not be visually intrusive for motorists, cyclists and pedestrians.
The second variance occurs because the area of each of the signs (5.62 mē ) exceeds by 5.37 mē the maximum 0.25 mē sign
area permitted by the Municipal Code.
Signs permitted in the "G" (park) zoning districts are required to be small and low in order to limit any negative impact the
sign may have on the users of the park, on the streetscape and on the adjacent uses. In this instance, though larger than the
permitted size, the signs are substantially set back from the property line and need to be visible from the street, which I
consider appropriate.
The third variance occurs because only one pedestal sign is permitted within any frontage of the property. In this instance,
the variance is technical in nature because the orientation of each of the sign is set at an angle of approximately 45 degrees
in relation to the St. Clair West property line and facing southeast and southwest respectively. Only one sign would be
visible to the motorists and pedestrians travelling along St. Clair Avenue West. It is my opinion that the signs will not
adversely impact the cemetery, surrounding uses or the streetscape.
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:
Norm Girdhar
Telephone: (416) 392-7209
Fax: (416) 392-0580
E-Mail: ngirdhar@toronto.ca
Insert Table/Map No. 1
1450 St. Clair Avenue West
Insert Table/Map No. 2
1450 St. Clair Avenue West
Insert Table/Map No. 3
1450 St. Clair Avenue West
Insert Table/Map No. 4
1450 St. Clair Avenue West
(March 1, 1999)
Purpose:
To review and make recommendations respecting an application for a variance to install two illuminated fascia signs in the
form of individual letters which identify the fast food restaurant "Burger King". The signs will be located on the north
elevation and west elevation at 267 College Street.
Source of Funds:
Not applicable.
Recommendations:
(1)That City Council approve Application No. 999008 respecting a minor variance from Chapter 297, Signs, of the
former City of Toronto Municipal Code to install two illuminated fascia signs, in the form of individual letters, on the north
elevation and west elevation at 267 College Street.
(2)That the applicant be advised, upon approval of Application No. 999008, of the requirement to obtain the necessary
permits from the Commissioner of Urban Planning and Development Services.
Comments:
The property is located on the southeast corner of College Street and Spadina Avenue, in a mixed-use zoning district. The
property accommodates a two-storey commercial building. The applicant is requesting permission to install two illuminated
fascia signs in the form of individual letters which identify the fast food restaurant "Burger King". The signs will be located
on the north elevation and west elevation at 267 College Street (see Figure 1). Each sign will have a length of 4.27 metres
and a height of 0.48 metre, with an area of 2.05 mē.
The signs do not comply with Chapter 297 of the Municipal Code in that fascia signs are required to be mounted wholly
against the wall of a building. Approval of a sign variance application is required because the individual letters which
comprise each proposed sign, will be mounted against a pre-finished metal sleeve with 0.12 metre projection, which is, in
turn, mounted against the wall of the building.
The intent of this provision is to limit the possible negative impact of signage on the appearance of buildings to which they
are attached and on adjacent uses. The adjacent uses are retail commercial in nature and have similar fascia signs. It is my
opinion, that these signs 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
Insert Table/Map No. 1
267 College Street
Insert Table/Map No. 2
267 College Street
Insert Table/Map No. 3
267 College Street
Insert Table/Map No. 4
267 College Street
Insert Table/Map No. 5
267 College Street
(March 9, 1999)
Purpose:
To review and make recommendations respecting an application for a variance to maintain one illuminated fascia sign for
identification purposes at 456 Wellington Street West.
Source of Funds:
Not applicable.
Recommendations:
(1)That City Council approve Application No. 999005 respecting a minor variance from Chapter 297, Signs, of the
former City of Toronto Municipal Code to maintain one illuminated fascia sign for identification purposes at 456
Wellington Avenue West.
(2)That the applicant be advised, upon approval of Application No. 999005, of the requirement to obtain the necessary
permits from the Commissioner of Urban Planning and Development Services.
Comments:
The property is located on the north side of Wellington Street West, between Portland Street and Spadina Avenue, in the
King- Spadina Reinvestment Area. The property accommodates a one -storey commercial building.
The applicant is requesting permission to maintain one illuminated fascia sign for identification purposes on the south wall
of the building (see Figure 1). The sign has a length of 8.48 metres and a height of 0.76 metre, with an area of 6.44 mē.
The sign does not comply with Chapter 297 of the Municipal Code in that the sign obstructs and interferes with windows of
the building. Although, the sign does extend over two of the three windows on the south wall, it is my opinion that the
minor obstruction (0.15 m) of these windows does not affect light access or views.
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
Insert Table/Map No. 1
456 Wellington Avenue West
Insert Table/Map No. 2
456 Wellington Avenue West
Insert Table/Map No. 3
456 Wellington Avenue West
Insert Table/Map No. 4
456 Wellington Avenue West
(March 15, 1999)
Purpose:
To review and make recommendations respecting an application for variances to install new identification signage at 522
University Avenue.
Source of Funds:
Not applicable.
Recommendations:
It is recommended that:
(1)City Council approve Application No. 999012 respecting minor variances from Chapter 297, Signs, of the former City
of Toronto Municipal Code to permit one illuminated fascia sign and two illuminated pedestal signs on condition that only
the top portion of the pedestal signs, being the letters and logo, be illuminated.
(2)The applicant be advised, upon approval of Application No. 999012 , of the requirement to obtain the necessary
permits from the Commissioner of Urban Planning and Development Services.
Comments:
The property is located on the south-west corner of University Avenue and Elm Street, in a mixed-use
(commercial/residential) district. The property accommodates a fourteen storey commercial building. The applicant is
requesting permission to remove the existing signs on the north, south and east elevations of the building and install new
identification signage to reflect the company's new corporate image (see Figures 1-5).
The signs do not comply with Chapter 297 of the Municipal Code in the following ways:
1.the height of the fascia sign on the north elevation will exceed the maximum permitted height of 3 metres by 1.87
metres;
2.more than one pedestal sign will be erected within the University Avenue frontage of the lot; and
3.the pedestal signs will be set back 1.2 metres from the street line instead of 2.0 metres.
The first variance occurs because the height of the logo and name combined will exceed the maximum permitted height for
a fascia sign. The size of signs is regulated in order to reduce the visual impact of signs on the streetscape and on the
buildings to which they are attached.
The applicant's original submission proposed a back-lit sign box having a height 5.1 metres. However, I advised the
applicant that University Avenue is the City's most important ceremonial street and that signs should be designed in a
manner which are sensitive to the character of University Avenue. The applicant has worked closely with City staff on a
revised proposal consisting of individual halo-lit letters and illuminated logo. The logo has been appropriately sized to line
up with the decorative grill panels and the new letters would be installed directly above the logo, in the same location as the
existing letters. In my opinion, the revised proposal represents a meaningful improvement over the initial submission, and
is in keeping with other corporate identification signage along University Avenue.
The second and third variances have to do with the number of pedestal signs and their location on the property. The signs
would be installed on either side of the concrete staircase. The number of signs proposed is acceptable in this instance
because they would provide symmetry and reinforce the building's main entrance. Although the signs would be situated
closer to the street line than permitted, the signs are located on the podium level, approximately 1.5 metres above the
sidewalk, and would not obstruct or otherwise interfere with pedestrians. The applicant has advised that only the top
portion of the signs, being the logo and letters, would be illuminated, which I consider acceptable.
The property is also subject to University Avenue By-law No. 13409 which regulates signs along University Avenue
between Front Street and College Street. Under By-law No. 13409, the proposed fascia signs on the north and south
elevations are not permitted. The proposed signs are comparable in size to those which they are intended to replace and are
in keeping with other corporate logo signs along University Avenue. The applicant has applied to the Committee of
Adjustment for a variance which will be considered on May 11, 1999. A copy of this report and Toronto Community
Council's decision will be submitted to the Committee of Adjustment for its information.
I am recommending approval of this application subject to the conditions noted above, 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
Insert Table/Map No. 1
522 University Avenue
Insert Table/Map No. 2
522 University Avenue
Insert Table/Map No. 3
522 University Avenue
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522 University Avenue
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522 University Avenue
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522 University Avenue
