Request for Variance from Sign By-law Requirements for
the Bank of Nova Scotia, at 802 O'Connor Drive
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
the Bank of Nova Scotia, with an overall height of 1.93 metres (6'-4") as a second facial sign on the same wall
elevation by way of a Site Specific Sign By-law amendment at 802 O'Connor Drive, on the condition that the Bank
of Nova Scotia sign located in the parking lot at 802 O'Connor Drive be removed; 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 the Bank of Nova Scotia logo as a second facial sign and with an overall height exceeding
the height permitted by the Sign By-law of the community of East York.
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 the Bank of
Nova Scotia, with an overall height of 1.93 metres (6'-4") and as a second facial sign on the same wall elevation, at 802
O'Connor Drive;
(2) if Council wishes to permit the facial sign, to do so by way of a Site Specific Sign By-law amendment, for 802
O'Connor Drive; 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.
This Bank of Nova Scotia branch office 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, the bank's logo, with an overall height of 1.5 metres (6'-0"), on a recently
constructed tower looking structure at the south-east corner of the building. On the same wall elevation, facing the
O'Connor Drive - St. Clair Avenue intersection, there is also an existing facial sign.
Conclusions:
Staff is of the opinion that the requested variance, to install an oversized facial sign for the Bank of Nova Scotia at 802
O'Connor Drive, is excessive. The overall height of the proposed sign is more than 50 per cent larger than what is
permitted by the Sign By-law. In addition the number of signs permitted on the same wall elevation per tenant, will be
doubled. The proposed variance is beyond the parameters for minor variances from the Sign By-law requirements. If
Council wishes to allow the variances, 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 15, 1999) from TEK Signs, addressed to the East York Field Office and drawings
of the proposed signs which were appended to the foregoing report, are on file in the City Clerk's East York office.
_________
Mr. Mark Potter, Scotiabank, Real Estate Department, appeared before the East York Community Council in connection
with the foregoing matter and submitted photographs with respect thereto.
_________
Councillor Pitfield declared an interest in the foregoing matter, in that her spouse is employed by the Bank of Nova Scotia.
