Variances from Chapter 297, Signs,
of the Former City of Toronto Municipal Code -
1651 Queen Street East (East Toronto)
The Toronto Community Council recommends the adoption of the following
report (December 7, 1999) from the Acting Commissioner of Urban Planning
and Development Services:
Purpose:
To review and make recommendations for an application for minor
variances to permit two illuminated fascia signs, for identification
purposes, one on the north elevation and one on the south elevation of
the building at 1651 Queen Street East.
Financial Implications:
There are no financial implications resulting from the adoption of the
report.
Recommendations:
It is recommended that:
(1) City Council approve in part Application No. 999086 for minor
variance from Chapter 297, Signs, of the former City of Toronto
Municipal Code to permit two illuminated fascia signs, for
identification purposes, one on the north elevation and one on the
south elevation of the building at 1651 Queen Sreet East, on
condition that the proposed fascia sign on the north elevation be
illuminated only between the hours of 7:00 a.m. and 10:00 p.m. and
this be achieved by an automated timing device.
(2) The applicant be advised, upon approval of Application No.
999086, of the requirement to obtain the necessary permits from
the Commissioner of Urban Development Services.
Comments:
The property is located east of Coxwell Avenue, on the south side of
Queen Street East in a (MCR) mixed-use zone district. The property
contains the " Alliance Atlantis Cinema " movie
theatre complex. The applicant is requesting permission to erect two
illuminated fascia signs, for identification purposes, one sign on the
north elevation and one sign on the south elevation of the building. The
proposed sign on the north elevation is 6.30 metres long and 3.96
metres high with an area of 24.95 mē. The proposed sign on the south
elevation is 7.32 metres long and 4.60 metres high with an area of 33.67
mē (see Figure 1,2 & 3). The proposed illuminated fascia sign on the
north elevation complies with Municipal Code requirements.
The illuminated fascia sign on the south elevation does not comply with
Chapter 297 of the Municipal Code in the following ways:
1. the proposed fascia sign on the south elevation will be erected
above 10 metres from grade; and
2. the area of each proposed fascia sign (33.67 mē ) exceeds by 8.67 mē the
maximum 25.00 mē sign area permitted.
This application involves two new larger format type fascia signs for this
movie theatre complex.
The signs have a vinyl "skin" which would be replaced regularly to
advertise feature films.
I support approval of the first proposed sign on the south elevation of
the building, where the impact of the requested variances is minimal as
the sign is exposed only to the Kingston Road extension and the
adjacent parking lot.
The proposed illuminated fascia sign on the north elevation complies
with Municipal Code requirements. It will, however, be visible from
houses about 25 metres away on the north side of Queen Street East.
To minimize concerns from residents of this neighbourhood, the
applicant has agreed to control the hours of illumination by turning the
sign off between 10:00 p.m. and 7:00 a.m. by an automated timing
device. With this improvement, I find the overall signage application to
be acceptable.
I am therefore recommending approval of this application, as I find the
variances requested to be minor in nature and in keeping with 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
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The Toronto Community Council reports, for the information of Council, having also had
before it during consideration of the foregoing matter, the following communication (January
17, 2000) from Ms. Zoe Cunningham, BBM Productions.
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