December 20, 1999

To: Toronto Community Council

From: Acting Commissioner of Urban Development Services

Subject: 28 Fairlawn Avenue, Application No. 999091: Request for approval of minor variances from Chapter 297, Signs, of the former City of Toronto Municipal Code, upon application by Carol MacLellan on behalf of the Trustees of the Fairlawn Heights United Church, 28 Fairlawn Avenue, Toronto, Ontario, M5M 1S7

(North Toronto)

Purpose:

To review and make recommendations for an application for minor variances to permit an illuminated ground sign, for identification purposes, on the Fairlawn Avenue frontage at 28 Fairlawn 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. 999091 for minor variances from Chapter 297, Signs, of the former City of Toronto Municipal Code to permit an illuminated ground sign, for identification purposes, on the Fairlawn Avenue frontage at 28 Fairlawn Avenue, on condition that the sign be illuminated only between the hours of 7:00 a.m. and 10:30 p.m. and that this be achieved by means of an automated timing device.

(2) The applicant be advised, upon approval of Application No. 999091, of the requirement to obtain the necessary permits from the Commissioner of Urban Development Services.

Comments:

The property is located west of Yonge Street on the north side of Fairlawn Avenue in a residential zone district. The property contains a United Church building. The applicant is requesting permission to erect an illuminated ground sign on the Fairlawn frontage of the property. The sign is 2.44 metres long and 2.34 metres high with an area of 5.71 mē (see Figure 1 & 2).

The sign does not comply with Chapter 297 of the Municipal Code in the following ways:

1. the area of the proposed ground sign (4.36 mē ) exceeds by 1.86 mē the maximum 2.5 mē

sign area permitted by the Municipal Code; and

2. the height of the sign (3.05 metres) exceeds by 1.05 metres the maximum 2.0 metres sign height permitted by the Municipal Code.

The proposed ground sign is higher and larger than permitted by the Municipal Code. The permitted size of signs in residential areas is very limited to minimize intrusion.

In this case, the proposed ground sign has been sized and positioned to complement the 61 metres long frontage of the church property. The backlit form of lighting is the least intrusive while providing for visibility. Although the nearest house is more than 20 metres away, the applicant has agreed to turn the sign off between 10:30 p.m. and 7:00 a.m. by means of an automated timing device, to minimize any concerns.

I am recommending approval of this application, as I consider the requested variance to be minor and within 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

Sign Details

Elevation