November 25, 1999

To: Toronto Community Council

From: Acting Commissioner of Urban Planning and Development Services

Subject: 220 Bay Street, Application No. 999083: Request for approval of a variance from Chapter 297, Signs, of the former City of Toronto Municipal Code, upon application by Ryan Gaul / Steel Art Signs, 37 Esna Park Drive, Markham, Ontario, L3R 1C9 on behalf of Inge Schumacher-Lichius and Anita Bentzien- Lichius, 220 Bay Street, Suite 201, Toronto, Ontario, M5J 1P3

(Downtown)

Purpose:

To review and make recommendations for an application for a minor variance to permit an illuminated fascia sign, for identification purposes, on the south elevation of the building at 220 Bay Street.

Financial Implications:

There are no financial implications resulting from the adoption of the report.

Recommendations:

It is recommended that:

(1) City Council approve Application No. 999083 for a minor variance from Chapter 297, Signs, of the former City of Toronto Municipal Code to permit, for identification purposes, an illuminated fascia sign on the south elevation of the building at 220 Bay Street.

(2) The applicant be advised, upon approval of Application No. 999083, of the requirement to obtain the necessary permits from the Commissioner of Urban Planning and Development Services.

Comments:

The property is located on the northwest corner of Bay Street and Wellington Street West in a (CR) mixed-use zone district. The property contains a multi-storey office building with retail uses at grade level. The applicant is requesting permission to erect an illuminated fascia sign, for identification purposes, at the first floor level on the south elevation of the building. The proposed sign is 4.97 metres long and 1.22 metres high with an area of 6.06 m (see Figure 1).

The sign does not comply with Chapter 297 of the Municipal Code in that the proposed fascia sign will not be mounted wholly against the wall of the building.

The variance occurs because the proposed fascia sign is mounted between two columns of the building facade. The sign most closely resembles a fascia sign, excepting that it will not be placed against the wall of the building. I consider this variance to be technical in nature and therefore acceptable. I am recommending approval of this application as I find the variance requested to be minor and keeping with the general intent and purpose of the sign provisions of the Municipal Code.

Contact: Norm Girdhar

Telephone: (416) 392-7209

Fax: (416) 392-0580

E-Mail: ngirdhar@toronto.ca

Beate Bowron

Director, Community Planning, South District

List of Attachments:

Key Map

Site Plan

Sign Elevation

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