Variance from Chapter 297, Signs,
of the Former City of Toronto, Municipal Code -
2400 Yonge Street (North Toronto)
The Toronto Community Council recommends that:
(1) City Council approve Application No. 999093 for a minor variance
from Chapter 297, Signs, of the former City of Toronto Municipal
Code to permit an illuminated fascia sign, for identification
purposes, on the front elevation of the building at 2400 Yonge
Street, on condition that the fascia sign be illuminated only
between the hours of 7:00 a.m. and 11:00 p.m. (except 7:00 a.m. to
midnight, Friday and Saturday) and that this be achieved by an
automated timing device; and
(2) the applicant be advised, upon approval of Application No. 999093,
of the requirement to obtain the necessary permits from the
Commissioner of Urban Planning and Development Services.
The Toronto Community Council submits the following report
(December 1, 1999) from the Acting Commissioner of Urban Planning
and Development Services:
Purpose:
To review and make recommendations for an application for a minor
variance to permit an illuminated fascia sign, for identification purposes,
on the front elevation of the building at 2400 Yonge Street.
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. 999093 for a minor variance
from Chapter 297, Signs, of the former City of Toronto Municipal
Code to permit an illuminated fascia sign, for identification
purposes, on the front elevation of the building at 2400 Yonge
Street, on condition that the fascia 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.
999093, of the requirement to obtain the necessary permits from
the Commissioner of Urban Planning and Development Services.
Comments:
The property is located north of Eglinton Avenue West on the west side
of Yonge Street in a (MCR) mixed-use zone district. The property
contains a two-storey building, which is occupied by a retail book store
(Chapters). The applicant is requesting permission to erect an
illuminated fascia sign on the front parapet wall of the building. The
sign is 5.18 metres long and 1.83 metres high with an area of 9.48 mē
(see Figure 1 & 2).
The sign does not comply with Chapter 297 of the Municipal Code in that
proposed illuminated fascia sign will be erected more than 10 metres
above grade.
The variance relates to the height of the sign. The height of signs above
grade is regulated in order to reduce the visual impact of signs on the
buildings to which they are attached, on the streetscape and on upper
floor residential units in the immediate vicinity. In this instance, the sign
has been sized and positioned to complement the proportions of the
rectangular facade of the building. The nearest residential unit from
which the sign would be visible would be more than 30 metres away -
at 2401 Yonge Street.
To mitigate concerns about visibility of the illuminated sign on the front
elevation from units in 2401 Yonge Street, the owner has agreed to limit
the hours of illumination so that the sign is 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
_________
The Toronto Community Council reports, for the information of
Council, having also had before it during consideration of the
foregoing matter a communication (January 17, 2000) from Mr. Philip
Pye, Steel Art Signs, and a copy thereof is on file in the office of the
City Clerk.
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