STAFF REPORT

January 27, 2000

To: Community Council East York Community

From: Douglas Walker, Manager East District Field Office

Subject: Request for variance from Sign By-law requirements

for 995 Broadview Avenue

Purpose:

The applicant proposes to install a "V" shaped outdoor advertising structure on the roof of the commercial building, at 995 Broadview Avenue.

Financial Implications and Impact Statement:

There are no financial implications.

Recommendations:

It is recommended that:

(1) Council deny the variance from the Sign By-law to permit the installation of an outdoor advertising structure on a property with an area of 687 square metres (7,400 square feet);

(2) If Council wishes to permit the installation of the proposed sign, to do so by way of a Site Specific Sign By-law amendment, for 995 Broadview 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 sign by-law requirements where such variances, in the opinion of Council, would maintain the general intent of the by-law.

Comments:

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

The subject property is located in an area designated as a Commercial zone. Section 4 of the By-law, titled "Permitted Signs", does not allow a roof sign on a building located in a commercial zone. Section 6 of the By-law, titled "Standardized Outdoor Advertizing Structures", allows these types of signs, on the ground or the roof of a building, subject to certain requirements. The subject property meets most of these requirements except one requiring the property to have a minimum area of 2,000 square metres (21,528 square feet).

The property at 995 Broadview Avenue, as stated by the applicant, has an area of 687 sq.m. (7,400 sq. ft.), which is 34.35% of the minimum lot area required by the Sign By-law. The adjacent property is a separate property and even though under the same ownership, may not be considered as part of the property of 995 Broadview in relation to this application. Nevertheless, even if the area of the adjacent property is included in the calculations, it would increase the area of the subject property to 44.5% of the minimum area required by the Sign By-law. The area of the property at 995 Broadview is significantly deficient, therefore, the requested variance from the Sign By-law requirements is not a minor variance.

Conclusions:

Staff is of the opinion that the requested variance, to install an Advertizing Outdoor Advertising Structure, at 995 Broadview Avenue, is not minor and must not be granted. The area of the subject property is significantly less than the minimum area required in the Sign By-law.

Contact:

Iraklis(Eric) Tsotsos

Senior Field Officer

(416)397-4482

Douglas Walker

Manager, Field Office

List of Attachments:

Letter from Applicant, Omni Outdoor

Site and Sign Drawing