STAFF REPORT

February 1, 2000

To: East York Community Council

From: Douglas Walker, Manager East District Field Office

Subject: Approval by the Community Council, as required by the Sign By-law.

Ward 1

Purpose:

To install three signs incidental to construction and land development on vacant lot at Curity and Cranfield Road.

Financial Implications and Impact Statement:

There are no financial implications.

Recommendations:

It is recommended that:

Council approve the report to permit the installation of three signs incidental to construction and land development, with an aggregate sign area of 20.8 square metres (224.0 sq. ft), on a vacant lot at Curity Avenue and Cranfield Road, subject to requirements under article 5.1.(b) of the Sign By-law.

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-laws where such variances, in the opinion of Council, would maintain the general intent of the by-law.

Comments:

The present Sign By-law for the East York Community allows the erection of the following signs, incidental to construction or land development.

1. One sign provided that, it is not exceeding 5 square metres in area (53.82 sq.ft.), it is temporary and it would be removed, at the expense of the owner, upon completion of such construction or development, or within two years of the date of issuance of the permit whichever is sooner (such a sign does not require council's approval); or

2. One sign not exceeding 23 square metres in area (247.5 sq. ft.), or a group of signs not exceeding 23 square metres in aggregate area, for each 8.093 hectares of land (80,930 square metres) under construction or development, provided that such signs are approved by Council and be subject of the requirements presented below.

a) The signs or groups of signs shall be removed at the expense of the owner thereof forthwith upon completion of such construction or land development, or if not so removed, within 10 days after the mailing of notice by the inspector to such owner requiring removal thereof.

b) The applicant for such signs shall deposit with the Treasurer of the Corporation the sum of $500.00 to guarantee the removal of such signs or group of signs, such sum to be returned to the applicant if same are removed after the notice from the inspector. The Chief Building Official shall have the right to remove the same and the cost of any such removal shall be deducted from the said sum of $500.00 and the balance remaining shall be paid to the applicant, provided that they are erected and installed only upon privately owned property upon which such construction or land development is taking place.

The applicant is proposing to erect three signs, with an aggregate area of 2.8 square metres (224.00 square feet), as shown on the attached sketches. Two signs are 2.4 metres wide x 1.2 metres high (8'-0" wide x 4'-0" high) and the third sign is 6.0 metres wide x 3.0 metres high (20'-0" wide x 10'-0" high).

The subject property is located at the south/west corner of Curity Avenue and Cranfield Road intersection. The lot is vacant at present, but a development is contemplated there in the near future.

The proposed sign faces will be plywood supported on a wood posts. The signs will not be illuminated.

Conclusions:

Staff is of the opinion that this type of signs is to be expected with a construction project. Installation of the signs on this property will not substantially affect the existing streetscape and it would maintain the general intent of the Sign By-law. Any effects on the general appearance of the neighbourhood will be of a temporary nature.

The signs, furthermore, would assist the owner with the exposure required to promote the new development. Staff support the approval of this application.

Contact:

Eric (Iraklis) Tsotsos

Senior Field Officer

(416)397-4482

Douglas Walker

Manager, East District Field Office

List of Attachments:

Sketches