April 14, 1998

 To:East York Community Council

 From:Rick Tomaszewicz

Commissioner of Development Services Department

 Subject:Request for Variance from Sign By-law requirements, by the Bank of Nova Scotia 1002 Pape Avenue, East York, Ward 1.

 Purpose:

 To report to the May 6, 1998 East York Community Council regarding a request to allow the installation of the bank of Nova Scotia logo as a second facial sign on the south elevation of the building, facing Gowan Avenue, at the above address.

 Financial Implications:

 There are no financial implications.

 Recommendations:

 It is recommended that the request to install the Nova Scotia logo as a second facial sign on the south elevation of the building, facing Gowan Avenue, be granted.

 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-laws where such variances, in the opinion of Council, would maintain the general intent of the by-law.

 Discussion:

 The request for variance arises because the present Sign By-law of the Community of East York, allows, for commercial buildings in commercial strips as the one on Pape Avenue, One facial or canopy sign for each face of wall exposed to and abutting a street, parking area or a permanent open space in front or side yard, provided the height does not exceed 1.0 or 1.2 metres respectively.

 The applicant has applied for and obtained a permit to install a facial sign on the south wall, which faces Gowan Avenue. The applicant wishes to install on the same wall a Bank of Nova Scotia logo as well with a height and a width of 1.2 metres (4'-0"). Two facial signs, though, on the same wall are not permitted by the Sign By-law as indicated above.

The wall on which this second facial sign is proposed to be installed, has a large area and does not have any other signs except the facial sign mentioned above. The ratio of the sign area vs the wall area, including the second sign, would be approximately 1:60; a very small ratio. In addition, the neighbouring area is predominantly commercial and the buildings on the opposite side of the bank on Gowan Avenue are also commercial. Under these circumstances , staff is of the opinion that the proposed sign is unlikely to be objectionable to the neighbours, or have an adverse impact on the general signage of the area.

 Conclusion:

 Staff recommends that the requested variance be granted.

 Contact Name:

 Iraklis (Eric) Tsotsos, Manager of Plan Review, at (416) 778-2239.

 RICK TOMASZEWICZ,

Commissioner, Development Services Department