Request for Variance from Sign By-law Requirements for
Enbridge Home Services, at 832 Eglinton Avenue East
The East York Community Council recommends that:
(1) Council approve the variance from the Sign By-law requirements to permit the installation of a facial sign for
Enbridge Home Services with an overall height of 1.93 metres (6'-4") at 832 Eglinton Avenue East, on the south
wall of the building, facing Eglinton Avenue by way of a Site Specific Sign By-law amendment; and
(2) the appropriate City officials be authorized and directed to take the necessary action to give effect thereto.
The East York Community Council submits the following report (December 29, 1999) from the Manager, Field
Office, East District:
Purpose:
The applicant proposes to install a facial sign with an overall height exceeding the height permitted by the Sign By-law of
the community of East York. The proposed sign would be installed on the front (south) wall of the building facing Eglinton
Avenue.
Financial Implications and Impact Statement:
There are no financial implications.
Recommendations:
It is recommended that:
(1) Council deny the variance from the Sign By-law requirements to permit the installation of a facial sign for Enbridge
Home Services with an overall height of 1.93 metres (6'-4") at 832 Eglinton Avenue East, on the south wall of the building,
facing Eglinton Avenue;
(2) if Council wishes to permit the facial sign, to do so by way of a Site Specific Sign By-law amendment, for 832 Eglinton
Avenue East; and
(3) the appropriate City officials be authorized and directed to take the necessary action to give effect thereto.
Background:
The Municipal Act authorizes Council to pass by-laws for prohibiting or regulating signs and advertising devices. The Act
also authorizes Council to grant minor variances from the by-law requirements where such variances, in the opinion of
Council, would maintain the general intent of the by-law.
Comments:
The Sign By-law allows signs for buildings in accordance with the zoning designation of the area where the buildings are
located and in accordance with the type of the occupancy of the buildings.
The Enbridge Home Services store is located in an area designated as Commercial zone. The Sign By-law for the
community of East York allows, for commercial buildings in a commercial strip one facial or canopy sign for each ground
floor occupant, provided the height of the sign does not exceed 1.0 or 1.2 metres (3'-3" or 4'-0"), respectively.
The applicant proposes to install a facial sign, with the Enbridge logo, on the south wall of the building facing Eglinton
Avenue East. The sign will have an overall height of 1.93 metres (6' 4"), which is 0.93 metres (3'-1") higher than what is
permitted by the Sign By-law.
Conclusions:
Staff is of the opinion that the requested variance, to install an oversized facial sign for Enbridge Home Services store at
832 Eglinton Avenue East, is excessive. The overall height of the proposed sign is approximately 88 per cent larger than
what is permitted by the Sign By-law. As such, it is beyond the parameters for minor variances from the Sign By-law
requirements. In addition, it is possible to reduce the height of the sign with minor modifications to the design. If Council
wishes to allow the variance, it may do so by way of a Site Specific Sign By-law amendment for this property.
Contact:
Iraklis (Eric) Tsotsos
(416)397-4482
_________
A copy of a communication (December 2, 1999) from Mr. James Chomolok, Manager, Major Accounts, Lescar Signs Ltd.,
addressed to the East York Field Office, and drawings of the proposed sign which were appended to the foregoing report
are on file in the City Clerk's East York office.
_________
Mr. James Chomolok, Lescar Signs Ltd., appeared before the East York Community Council in connection with the
foregoing matter.