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Variances from Chapter 297, Signs,
of the City of Toronto Municipal Code -
647 Gerrard Street East (Don River)
The Toronto Community Council recommends that City Council approve Application No. 997103 respecting minor variances from Chapter 297, Signs, of the City of Toronto Municipal Code to maintain one illuminated projecting sign at 647 Gerrard Street East, on condition that the sign only be illuminated between the hours of 7:00 a.m. and 11:00 p.m., and that this be achieved through an automatic timing device.
The Toronto Community Council submits the following report (January 6, 1998) from the Commissioner, Urban Development Services:
Recommendation:
That City Council refuse Application No. 997103 respecting minor variances from Chapter 297, Signs, of the City of Toronto Municipal Code to permit one illuminated projecting sign.
Comments:
The property is located on the south side of Gerrard Street East, east of Broadview Avenue, in a mixed-use (commercial/residential) district. The property accommodates a three storey mixed-use building with residential units on the upper storey and retail uses at grade.
The applicant is requesting permission to install one illuminated projecting sign on the north elevation of the building (see Figure 1). The sign has a length of 0.7 metres and a height of 2.2 metres, with an area of 1.5 m5.
The sign does not comply with Chapter 297 of the Municipal Code in the following ways:
(1) the area of the projecting sign (1.7 m5) exceeds the maximum area permitted of 0.4 m5 by 1.3 m5; and
(2) the sign will be located within 10 metres from a residential window.
The variances relate to the size and location of the proposed sign. The maximum area for a projecting sign is based upon the amount of frontage the unit has on the street. In this instance, a fascia sign identifying the ground floor retail use already exists and the applicant proposes to install an additional sign on the second storey level of the building, which I consider excessive given the narrow frontage of this commercial unit. The sign would also be located within 1 metre of residential windows on either side. An illuminated projecting sign this close to a residential window will cast light into the residential unit and could adversely affect the tenant=s enjoyment of the unit.
I am recommending that this application be refused, as I find the variances requested to be significant and not within the general intent and purpose of the sign provisions of the Municipal Code.
The Toronto Community Council also submits the following report (February 11, 1998) from the Commissioner, Urban Planning and Development Services:
Recommendation:
It is recommended that the recommendation outlined in my report dated January 6, 1998 be replaced as follows:
That City Council refuse Application No. 997103, as revised, respecting minor variances from Chapter 297, Signs, of the City of Toronto Municipal Code to maintain one illuminated projecting sign.
Comments:
At its meeting dated January 21, 1998, Toronto Community Council deferred consideration of this matter until its next scheduled meeting in order that Councillors McConnell and Layton could discuss the matter with planning staff.
The previously proposed sign has since been installed, immediately east of its originally proposed location (see Figure 1 attached). The variances remain unchanged and, in my opinion, the sign could still adversely impact the neighbouring residential units. I am, therefore, recommending that City Council refuse this application as revised.
Contact Name:
Lora Mazzocca
Telephone: (416) 392-0421
Fax: (416) 392-7536
E-Mail: lmazzocc@city.toronto.on.ca
The Toronto Community Council reports, for the information of Council, having also had before it a communication (February 13, 1998) from Councillor Layton, and a copy thereof is on file in the office of the City Clerk.
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