STAFF REPORT

January 11, 2000

To: Toronto Community Council

From: Acting Commissioner of Urban Development Services

Subject: 2401 Dundas Street West, Application No. 999099: Request for approval of minor variances from Chapter 297, Signs, of the former City of Toronto Municipal Code, upon application by S. Gibson of Gibson Signs on behalf of Frank Romaldi / Donald Simpson, 2401 Dundas Street West, Toronto, Ontario, M6P 1X2

(Davenport)

Purpose:

To review and make recommendations for an application for minor variances to permit an illuminated ground sign, for identification purposes, on the Dundas Street frontage at 2401 Dundas Street West.

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. 999099 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 Dundas Street frontage at 2401 Dundas Street West, on condition that the ground sign be illuminated only between the hours of 7:00 a.m. and 11:00 p.m. and this be achieved by an automated timing device.

(2) The applicant be advised, upon approval of Application No. 999099, of the requirement to obtain the necessary permits from the Commissioner of Urban Development Services.

Comments:

The property is located north of Bloor Street West, on the southwest corner of Dundas Street West and Chelsea Avenue in a (MCR) mixed-use zone district. The property contains a one- storey commercial building occupied by a "Budget" car rental agency. The applicant is requesting permission to erect an illuminated ground sign for identification purposes. The sign is 1.52 metres long and 6.61 metres high with an area of 10.05 mē. The sign will be erected at a height of 1.96 metres above grade (see Figure 1 & 2).

The sign does not comply with Chapter 297 of the Municipal Code in that the proposed ground sign will not be set back 2.00 metres from a street line and 6.0 metres from the intersection of two street lines. The proposed sign would be located at the north-east corner of the property and will set back 1.07 metres from the north property line and 1.07 metres from the east property line.

The setback requirements for ground signs are aimed at ensuring that, where possible, commercial streetscapes and view corridors are preserved and enhanced and sightlines for motorists, cyclists and pedestrians are improved. In this case, the sign is located 1.96 metres above grade so as not to impair visibility for motorists. Further, an increase in the setback to the 6.0 metres from the intersection of two streetlines required would reduce the manoeuvring room for vehicles on-site. The nearest residential unit from which the sign would be visible would be more than 30 metres away - in a proposed mixed-use development on the east side of Dundas Street West.

To mitigate concerns about visibility of the proposed illuminated ground sign from residential units in the proposed development across Dundas Street West, I have required that the sign be turned off from 11:00 p.m. to 7:00 a.m. by an automated timing device. With this condition, I find the sign acceptable.

I am, therefore, 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

List of Attachments:

Key Map

Site Plan

Sign Location

Elevation

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