Variances from Chapter 297, Signs,
of the Former City of Toronto Municipal Code -
(Midtown, East Toronto, Don River, North Toronto, Davenport)
The Toronto Community Council recommends the adoption of the following reports from the Acting Commissioner
of Urban Planning and Development Services:
(August 12, 1999)
Purpose:
To review and make recommendations respecting an application for a variance to erect two encroaching illuminated
awning signs for identification purposes at 416 Spadina Road.
Source of Funds:
Not applicable.
Recommendations:
1.That City Council approve Application No. 999049 respecting a minor variance from Chapter 297, Signs, of the former
City of Toronto Municipal Code to erect two encroaching illuminated awning signs for identification purposes at 416
Spadina Road.
2.That the applicant be advised, upon approval of Application No. 999049, 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-west corner of Spadina Road and Lonsdale Road, in a mixed use district. The property
accommodates a two-storey building with a Bank Branch (Bank of Nova Scotia) at grade. The applicant is requesting
permission to erect two encroaching illuminated awning signs, one on the south elevation and one on the east elevation for
identification purposes at 416 Spadina Road. The proposed sign on the south elevation is 10.70 metres long and 1.37
metres high with an area of 14.66 mē. The proposed sign on the east elevation is 8.68 metres long and 1.37 metres high,
with an area of 11.89 mē (see Figure 1).
The sign on the east elevation does not comply with Chapter 297 of the Municipal Code in that the area of the proposed
sign exceeds the permitted 30 % of the unit frontage. The area of the sign (11.89 mē ) exceeds by 2.86 mē the maximum
9.03 mē sign area permitted by the Municipal Code.
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. In this instance, the frontage of the building is comparatively narrow. The size of the proposed awning
sign is, in my opinion, appropriate.
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
416 Spadina Road
Insert Table/Map No. 2
416 Spadina Road
Insert Table/Map No. 3
416 Spadina Road
Insert Table/Map No. 4
416 Spadina Road
Insert Table/Map No. 5
416 Spadina Road
(September 8, 1999)
Purpose:
To permit an extension of conditions applied to previously approved variances for three non-illuminated ground signs for
the purpose of advertising the sale of new residential units within "Woodbine Park Community" at 1669 Queens Street
East.
Financial Implications:
Not applicable.
Recommendations:
1.That City Council approve Application No. 999066, respecting minor variances from Chapter 297, Signs, of the former
City of Toronto Municipal Code to permit an extension of conditions applied to previously approved variances for three
non-illuminated ground signs on condition that the signs be permitted for a further period of 12 months from the date of
City Council approval.
2.That the applicant be advised, upon approval of Application No. 999066, of the requirement to obtain the necessary
permits from the Commissioner of Urban Planning and Development Services.
Comments:
At its meeting dated October 1 and 2, 1998, the Council of the City of Toronto gave approval to a minor variance
application (application # 998063) to permit three temporary non-illuminated ground signs for a period of 12 months in
order to market residential properties which have been approved for this site (see Figure 1). The applicant has recently
advised me that the signs are required for an additional 12 months because of the phased nature of the development.
I am recommending approval of this application to permit the extension of conditions of previously approved variances, as
I find the variances requested remain 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
1669 Queen Street East
Insert Table/Map No. 2
1669 Queen Street East
Insert Table/Map No. 3
1669 Queen Street East
(September 8, 1999)
Purpose:
To review and make recommendations respecting an application for a variance to erect one illuminated ground sign for
identification purposes at 1001 Queen Street East.
Source of Funds:
Not applicable.
Recommendations:
1.That City Council approve Application No. 999075 respecting a minor variance from Chapter 297, Signs, of the former
City of Toronto Municipal Code to erect one illuminated ground sign for identification purposes at 1001 Queen Street East.
2.That the applicant be advised, upon approval of Application No. 999075, of the requirement to obtain the necessary
permits from the Commissioner of Urban Planning and Development Services.
Comments:
The property is located on the southwest corner of Queen Street East and Pape Avenue in a mixed-use zoning district. The
property accommodates a gas station (Global Gas). The applicant is requesting permission to erect one illuminated ground
sign for identification purposes. The sign is 1.38 metres long and 1.38 metre high, with an area of 1.90 mē. The sign will be
erected at a height of 3.3 metres above grade (see Figure 1).
The sign does not comply with Chapter 297 of the Municipal Code in that the proposed ground sign will not be located 2.0
metres from a street line and 6.0 metres from the intersection of two street lines. The proposed sign would be located at the
northeast corner of the property and will set back 2.44 metres from the north property line and 1.52 metres from the east
property line.
The setback requirements for ground signs are aimed at ensuring that, where possible , commercial streetscapes and view
corridors are preserved and enhanced and sightlines for motorists, cyclists and pedestrians are improved. In this case, the
sign is open to a height of 3.3 metres above grade so as not to impair visibility for motorists. Further, an increase in the
setback to the 6.0 metres from the intersection of two streetlines required would reduce the manoeuvring room for vehicles
on-site. Also, in this case, the positioning and inward orientation of the proposed sign reduces its visual impact on 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
1001 Queen Street East
Insert Table/Map No. 2
1001 Queen Street East
Insert Table/Map No. 3
1001 Queen Street East
(September 15, 1999)
Purpose:
To review and make recommendations respecting an application for a variance to erect for identification purposes one
non-illuminated encroaching fascia sign on the front elevation at 896 Eglinton Avenue West.
Source of Funds:
Not applicable.
Recommendations:
1.That City Council approve Application No. 999065 respecting a minor variance from Chapter 297, Signs, of the former
City of Toronto Municipal Code to erect for identification purposes one non-illuminated encroaching fascia sign on the
front elevation at 896 Eglinton Avenue West.
2.That the applicant be advised, upon approval of Application No. 999065, 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 Eglinton Avenue West, in a mixed-use zoning district. The property
accommodates a two-storey commercial building. The applicant is requesting permission to erect for identification
purposes one non-illuminated encroaching fascia sign on the front elevation of the building. The sign is 6.10 metres long
and 1.40 metres high, with an area of 8.54 mē.
The sign does not comply with Chapter 297 of the Municipal Code in that a portion of the proposed fascia sign will be
located on a wall that is not part of the commercial unit of the tenant on the first floor.
The variance occurs because the proposed sign is projecting 0.18 metre above the second floor level. The purpose of the
By-law is to ensure that each tenant has an opportunity to display adequate signage. In this case, a slightly encroaching sign
for the first floor tenant has not precluded the provision of appropriate signage for the second floor tenant of the building.
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
896 Eglinton Avenue West
Insert Table/Map No. 2
896 Eglinton Avenue West
Insert Table/Map No. 3
896 Eglinton Avenue West
Insert Table/Map No. 4
896 Eglinton Avenue West
(September 10, 1999)
Purpose:
To review and make recommendations respecting an application for a variance to permit a blank portion of illuminated
awning as an addition to a existing illuminated awning sign on the north elevation of the "Country Style Donuts" building
at 590 Keele Street.
Source of Funds:
Not applicable.
Recommendations:
1.That City Council approve Application No. 999073 respecting minor variances from Chapter 297, Signs, of the former
City of Toronto Municipal Code to permit a blank portion of illuminated awning as an addition to a existing illuminated
awning sign on the north elevation of the "Country Style Donuts" building at 590 Keele Street.
2.That the applicant be advised, upon approval of Application No. 999073, of the requirement to obtain the necessary
permits from the Commissioner of Urban Planning and Development Services.
Comments:
The subject property is located south of St. Clair Avenue West, on the west side of Keele Street in a Industrial-Commercial
(IC) zone district. The property accommodates a "Country Style Donuts" building on the south-east corner of the property,
built as a part of the newly constructed commercial / retail Plaza. The applicant is requesting permission to add a blank
portion of illuminated awning to an existing illuminated awning sign on the north elevation of the building. The proposed
additional awning on the west side of the existing awning sign is 3.35 metres long and 1.52 metres high with an area of
5.10 mē. (see Figure 1).
The sign does not comply with Chapter 297 of the Municipal Code in that the area of the enlarged awning sign (23.08 mē)
exceeds by 3.53 mē the maximum 19.55 mē sign area (30 % of the area of the building face of the commercial unit)
permitted by the Municipal Code.
The area of the signs is regulated in order to reduce the visual impact of signs on the streetscape and on the buildings to
which they are attached. In this case, however, the sign exceeds the permitted size because a blank portion of illuminated
awning is added and the frontage of the unit is comparatively narrow. It is my opinion that the proposed addition of blank
illuminated awning would not adversely impact the building 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
Insert Table/Map No. 1
590 Keele Street
Insert Table/Map No. 2
590 Keele Street
Insert Table/Map No. 3
590 Keele Street
