Request for Variance from East York Sign By-law

Requirements for Biway Retail Store

At 3003 Danforth Avenue

The East York Community Council recommends that Council:

(1)approve the request for a variance from the Sign By-law requirements to permit the installation of a facial sign for BiWay with an overall height of 4.26 metres (14.0 feet) at 3003 Danforth Avenue, on the north wall of the building facing Danforth Avenue;

(2)enact a site specific Sign By-law amendment, in the form attached to the report (September 27, 1999) from the Manager, East York Field Office, Works and Emergency Services, for 3003 Danforth Avenue; and

(3)authorize and direct the appropriate City officials to take the necessary action to give effect to the foregoing, including the introduction of the necessary Bill in Council.

The East York Community Council submits the following report (September 27, 1999) from the Manager, Field Office, Building Division, Urban Planning and Development Services:

Purpose:

The applicant proposes to install a facial sign not in compliance with the Sign By-law of the community of East York. The sign would be located on the north wall of the building, facing Danforth Avenue.

Financial Implications:

There are no financial implications.

Recommendations:

It is recommended that:

(1)Council deny the variance from the Sign By-law requirements to permit the installation of a facial sign for BiWay with an overall height of 4.26 metres (14.0 feet), at 3003 Danforth Avenue on the north wall of the building facing Danforth Avenue;

(2)if Council wishes to permit the facial sign, to do so by way of a site specific Sign By-law amendment, attached herewith, for 3003 Danforth Avenue; and

(3)the appropriate City Officials be authorized and directed to take the necessary action to give effect thereto.

Background:

The Municipal Act authorizes Council to pass by-laws for prohibiting or regulating signs and advertising devices. The Act also authorizes Council to grant minor variances from the by-law where such variances, in the opinion of Council, would maintain the general intent of the by-law.

Comments:

The Sign By-law allows signs for buildings in accordance with the zoning designation of the area where the buildings are located and in accordance with the type of the occupancy of the buildings.

The BiWay store is located in the Shoppers World Plaza in an area designated as Commercial zone. The Sign By-law for the community of East York allows, for commercial plazas or shopping centres, one facial sign for each occupant, provided the sign does not exceed 1.2 metres (4.0 feet) in height.

The applicant is proposing to install a facial sign, the BiWay logo, on the north wall of the building, facing Danforth Avenue, with an overall height of 4.26 metres (14.0 feet), which is 3.06 metres (10.0 feet) higher than what is permitted by the By-law.

Conclusion:

Staff is of the opinion that the request for variance to install an oversized facial sign for BiWay, at 3003 Danforth Avenue, should be denied. The overall height of the proposed sign is two and a half times bigger than what is permitted by the Sign By-law and as such is beyond the parameters for minor variances from the Sign By-law requirements. If Council wishes to allow the variance, it may do so by way of a site specific Sign By-law amendment.

Contact Name and Telephone Number:

Iraklis (Eric) Tsotsos

(416) 397-4482

--------

Bill No.

By-law No.

To amend By-law No. 64-87, a By-law "For Prohibiting and Regulating the Erection of Signs and Other Advertising Devices", being a by-law of the former Borough of East York.

The Council of the City of Toronto Hereby Enacts as follows:

By-law No. 64-87, a By-law "For Prohibiting and Regulating the Erection of Signs or Other Advertising Devices" as amended, being a by-law of the former Borough of East York, is further amended by inserting Article 4.2.9., following Article 4.2.8., as follows:

"4.2.5.Notwithstanding Sentence 4.2.1.(c), the following sign shall be permitted to be installed for BiWay, located at the property known as 3003 Danforth Avenue, in the year 1999.

(a)one (1) facial sign with an overall height of 4.26 metres (14.0 feet), displaying the BiWay Logo, on the north elevation of the building, facing Danforth Avenue."

Enacted And Passed This Day Of , A.D. 1999 .

Case OotesNovina Wong

Deputy MayorCity Clerk

--------

Mr. William Smith, on behalf of BiWay Retail Store, Toronto, appeared before the East York Community Council in connection with the foregoing matter.