STAFF REPORT
January 19, 2000
To: Toronto Community Council
From: Acting Commissioner of Urban Development Services
Subject: 181 University Avenue, Application No. 999089: Request for approval of variances from Chapter 297, Signs, of
the former City of Toronto Municipal Code, and amendments to the University Avenue By-law for the same property, upon
application by Dominic Rotundo/Neon Products, 555 Ellesmere Road, Scarborough, Ontario, M8W 3R3, on behalf of
Oxford Properties, 181 University Avenue, Toronto, Ontario, M5N 3E3
(Downtown)
Purpose:
To review and make recommendations for: (1) an application for minor variances to permit two illuminated fascia signs in
the form of corporate name and logo, for identification purposes, one sign on the top of the east elevation and one sign on
the top of the west elevation of a 25-storey office building at 181 University Avenue; and (2) two amendments to the
University Avenue By-law 13409, to permit the same signs and to provide for different building materials.
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. 999089 for minor variances from Chapter 297, Signs, of the former City of
Toronto Municipal Code to permit two illuminated fascia signs in the form of corporate name and logo, for identification
purposes, one sign on the top of the east elevation and one sign on the top of the west elevation of a 25-storey office
building at 181 University Avenue, such signs to be of the following dimensions:
letters 2.44 m (8') by 7.3 m (24')
logo 3.25 m (10' 8") by 5.1 m (16'9")
area of sign 34.4 m2 (370 ft2)
(2) The applicant be advised, upon approval of Application No. 999089, of the requirement to obtain the necessary permits
from the Commissioner of Urban Development Services.
(3) City Council approve two amendments to the University Avenue By-law 13409, for the property to permit:
(i) two illuminated fascia signs in the form of corporate name and logo, for identification purposes, one sign on the top of
the east elevation and one sign on the top of the west elevation of a 25-storey office building at 181 University Avenue,
such signs having dimensions not exceeding the following:
letters 2.44 m (8') by 7.3 m (24')
logo 3.25 m (10' 8") by 5.1 m (16'9")
area of sign 34.4 m2 (370 ft2)
(ii) the exterior of the building to be covered with materials other than the durable material of light grey, buff or similar
colour required by Section III (1) of the By-law.
Comments:
The property is located on the north-east corner of University Avenue and Adelaide Street in a (CR) mixed-use zone
district. The property contains a 25-storey office building with retail uses at grade level.
Chapter 297, Signs
The applicant is requesting permission to erect two illuminated fascia signs in the form of corporate name and a logo, for
identification purposes, on the east and west elevation of the building (see Figure 1 and 3). Each sign is 12.40 metres long
and 3.25 metres high, with an area of 34.40 mē (letters 7.3 metres long and 2.44 metres high + logo 5.1 metres long and
3.25 metres high) (see Figure 3).
The signs do not comply with Chapter 297 of the Municipal Code in the following ways:
1. Under Chapter 297 of the Municipal Code, the height of each proposed fascia sign (3.25 metres) exceeds by 0.25 metres
the maximum 3.00 metres sign height permitted; and each proposed fascia sign (34.40 mē) exceeds by 9.40 mē the
maximum 25.00 mē sign area permitted.
2. The proposed signs may obstruct windows of the building.
Although the proposed signs are not of metal composition and exceed the permitted height and the area, the proposed sign
is comparable in size to other corporate logo signs along University Avenue, which is acceptable.
The first sign variance relates to the height and size of the corporate name and logo, which exceed the maximum permitted
height and size for a fascia sign. The size of signs is regulated in order to reduce the visual impact of signs on the
streetscape and on the buildings to which they are attached.
The applicant's original submission proposed a height of 3.66 metres and a length of 14.33 metres with a total area of 46.00
mē. During discussions with planning staff, the applicant agreed to reduce the height and overall size of the sign to 34.40
mē. It is my opinion that the revised proposal represents a meaningful improvement over the initial submission, and it is
both distinctive and proportionally representative of the recent erected corporate identification signage along University
Avenue.
Regarding the second variance, the signs do extend over the windows but it is my opinion that the minor obstruction of
these windows does not affect light access or views.
University Avenue By-law
The University Avenue By-law was passed on November 2, 1931. The statutory authority for this By-law is the University
Avenue Extension Act of 1928. This Act was established to extend University Avenue and allow for certain building
restrictions to be applied. This Act predates the Planning Act by over twenty years and the powers of Site Plan Control by
over 45 years.
Planning staff are currently studying the repeal of the University Avenue By-law and considering replacing it with other
mechanisms such as zoning restrictions, area specific clauses in the Sign By-law and the review powers under site plan
control. In the interim, amendments to the University Avenue By-law are required to be considered by City Council as set
out in Section II of By-law 13409.
Under this by-law, the proposed fascia sign to be erected on the University Avenue elevation is required to be of metal
letters with a maximum height of 0.35 metres or on a metal panel that does not exceed 0.55 mē in area.
By-law 13409 also restricts the exterior building materials. Specifically the By-law requires the "external front and flank
walls of any building to be constructed of a durable material of light grey, buff or similar colour, compatible with the
character of existing buildings on University Avenue".
This requirement is out of date with every building that has been constructed on University Avenue in recent years. Any
zoning restrictions or guidelines developed to replace the University Avenue By-law will not carry this restriction forward.
The applicant is replacing the exterior of the building to upgrade the finishing. It is to be constructed of glass and metal,
similar to other recent construction. The resulting elevations are a considerable improvement in both architectural style and
aesthetic quality over the existing finishing.
I am recommending approval of this application as I find the variances and amendments requested to be minor and within
the general intent and purpose of the sign provisions of the Municipal Code.
Contact:
Norm Girdhar, West Section
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
Elevation
Sign Details
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