December 15, 1999

To: Toronto Community Council

From: Acting Commissioner of Urban Development Services

Subject: 5 Rosehill Avenue (1353 Yonge Street), Application No. 999069: Request for approval of minor variances 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 Urban Corp, 60 St. Clair Avenue East, Suite 800, Toronto, Ontario, M4T 1N5

(Midtown)

Purpose:

To review and make recommendations for an application for minor variances to maintain at 5 Rosehill Avenue, for identification purposes, nine illuminated fascia signs. Eight fascia signs are facing Yonge Street and one fascia sign is facing Rosehill Avenue.

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. 999069 for minor variances from Chapter 297, Signs, of the former City of Toronto Municipal Code to maintain at 5 Rosehill Avenue, for identification purposes, nine illuminated fascia signs. Eight fascia signs are facing Yonge Street and one fascia sign is facing Rosehill Avenue.

(2) The applicant be advised, upon approval of Application No. 999069, of the requirement to obtain the necessary permits from the Commissioner of Urban Development Services.

Comments:

The property is located on the south-east corner of Yonge Street and Rosehill Avenue in a (MCR) mixed-use zone district. The property contains a mixed-use seven-storey condominium apartment building with retail uses at grade level. A permit (No. 394970) was granted for eight smaller fascia signs on the Yonge Street frontage and a permit (No. 398942) was granted for one smaller fascia sign on the Rosehill Avenue frontage, for identification purposes. The signs have dimensions as follows:

Sign # 1 : (Yonge Street frontage) is 1.83 metres long and 0.91 metre high with an area of 1.67 m (see Figure 1 & 3).

Sign # 2 to 8: (Yonge Street frontage) each sign is 4.88 metres long and 0.91 metres high with an area of 4.44 m (see Figure 1 & 3).

Sign # 9: (Rosehill Avenue frontage) is 3.40 metres long and 0.91 metres high with an area of 3.09 m (see Figure 1 & 2).

The existing signs do not comply with Chapter 297 of the Municipal Code in that the height of the letters in the existing fascia signs exceeds the maximum 0.5 metre letter height permitted by the Municipal Code. The signs also contain graphics, which is not permitted.

Although, the signs contain graphics and bigger letters, the overall size and design blends in well with other existing signs along this portion of Yonge Street. It is my opinion that the signs do not adversely impact the building, streetscape or the surrounding uses. I am recommending approval of this application as I find the variances 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

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List of Attachments:

Key Map

Site Plan

Elevations (2)

Section

Signs & Graphics