December 29, 1999

To: East York Community Council

From: Douglas Walker, Manager, Field Office

Subject: Request for variance from Sign By-law requirements for the "save a centre" food mart, at 45 Overlea Boulevard.

Purpose:

The applicant proposes to install five facial signs not in compliance with the Sign By-law requirements for the Community of East York. Three signs would be located on the wall facing Overlea Boulevard and two signs would be located on the wall facing Thorncliffe Park Drive.

Financial Implications and Impact Statement:

There are no financial implications.

Recommendations:

It is recommended that:

(1) Council deny the variances from the Sign By-law requirements to permit the installation of facial signs, exceeding the permitted height and number of signs on the same wall elevation, for the "save a centre" food mart, at 45 Overlea Boulevard.

(2) If Council wishes to permit these facial signs, to do so by way of a Site Specific Sign By-law amendment, for the "save a centre" food mart, at 45 Overlea Boulevard.

(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 occupancy of the buildings.

The "save a centre" food mart is located in the East York Town Centre in an area designated as Commercial Zone. The Sign By-law for the Community of East York allows, for shopping centres, one facial sign for each occupant, provided the sign does not exceed 1.2 metres (4 feet) in height.

The Sign By-law also allows, for an occupant in a corner unit with walls facing a street or a parking area, one additional facial sign, to a maximum total of two signs.

The applicant proposes to install the following three facial signs on the wall facing Overlea Boulevard. The "save a centre" sign, with an overall height of 1.5 metres (5'-0"), which exceeds the permitted height of 1.2 metres (4'-0"). The "open 24 hrs" and the "Western Union" signs, which increase the number of signs on the same wall from one permitted to three.

The applicant also proposes to install a facial sign on the wall facing Thorncliffe Park Drive. The "save a centre" sign, with an overall height of 1.82 metres (6'-0"), which exceeds the permitted height of 1.2 metres (4'-0").

Conclusions:

Staff is of the opinion that the requested variances, to install oversized facial signs and to increase the permitted number of signs on the same wall from one to three, for the "save a centre" food mart at 45 Overlea Boulevard, are excessive. The overall height of the proposed signs is between 25% and 50% over the permitted height and the number of permitted signs on the same wall is tripled. The requested variances are beyond the parameters for minor variances from the Sign By-law requirements. If Council wishes to allow these variances, may do so by way of a Site Specific By-law amendment.

Contact:

Iraklis (Eric) Tsotsos

(416)397-4482