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Variances from Chapter 297, Signs,
of The City of Toronto Municipal Code -
(Downtown, East Toronto)
The Toronto Community Council recommends adoption of the following reports from the Commissioner of Urban Development Services:
(February 2, 1998)
Subject: 162 Queen=s Quay East, Application No. 997107: Request for approval of a variance from Chapter 297, Signs, of the City of Toronto Municipal Code, upon application by North American Towel Corporation Attn. Eamonn O=Neill, 162 Queens Quay East, Toronto, Ontario, M5A 1B4, on behalf of Gemess Investment Ltd., 3 Highpoint Road, Don Mills, Ontario, M3B 2A3. (Downtown)
Purpose:
To review and make recommendations respecting an application for a variance to maintain one illuminated ground sign.
Funding Sources, Financial Implications and Impact Statement:
Not applicable.
Recommendations:
It is recommended that:
(1) City Council approve Application No. 997107 respecting a minor variance from Chapter 297, Signs, of the City of Toronto Municipal Code to maintain one illuminated ground sign.
(2) The applicant be advised, upon approval of Application No. 997107, of the requirement to obtain the necessary permits from the Commissioner of Urban Development Services.
Comments:
The property is located on the north side of Queen=s Quay East, east of Bay Street, in an industrial
(IC) district. The property accommodates a one storey industrial building.
The applicant is requesting permission to maintain one illuminated ground sign near the south-east corner of the property (see Figure 1). The sign has a length of 2.7 metres and a height of 6.1 metres, with an area of 8.5 m5.
The sign does not comply with Chapter 297 of the Municipal Code in that it is located 1.16 metres from the streetline instead of 2.0 metres.
The setback requirements for ground and pedestal signs are aimed at ensuring that, where possible, commercial streetscapes and view corridors are preserved and enhanced and sightlines for motorists, cyclists and pedestrians are improved. In this instance, however, the sign is located within a fenced parking lot area and would not interfere with pedestrians or cyclists using the public sidewalk. Further, the sign is open to a height of 2.9 metres above grade and will not impair visibility of motorists entering and exiting the site.
I am recommending approval of this application, as I find the variance to be minor and within the general intent and purpose of the sign provisions of the Municipal Code.
Contact Name:
Lora Mazzocca
Telephone: (416) 392-0421
Fax: (416) 392-7536
E-Mail: lmazzocc@city.toronto.on.ca
(February 2, 1998)
Subject: 400 University Avenue, Application No. 998003: Request for approval of variances from Chapter 297, Signs, of the City of Toronto Municipal Code, upon application by Dominic Rotundo, 453 Chancellor Drive, Woodbridge, Ontario, L4L 5E1, on behalf of Zurich Canadian Holdings Ltd., 400 University Avenue, Toronto, Ontario, M5G 1S7. (Downtown)
Purpose:
To review and make recommendations on an application for variances to permit two illuminated fascia signs.
Funding Sources, Financial Implications and Impact Statement:
Not applicable.
Recommendations:
It is recommended that:
(1) City Council approve Application No. 998003 respecting minor variances from Chapter 297, Signs, of the City of Toronto Municipal Code to permit two illuminated fascia signs.
(2) The applicant be advised, upon approval of Application No. 998003, of the requirement to obtain the necessary permits from the Commissioner of Urban Development Services.
Comments:
The property is located on the west side of University Avenue, between Queen Street West and Dundas Street West, in a mixed-use (commercial/residential) district. The property accommodates a 26 storey commercial building.
The applicant is requesting permission to install new corporate name and logo signs on the northeast and south elevations of the building in place of existing logo signs (see Figure 1). The sign on the north-east elevation has a length of 8.2 metres and a height of 6.0 metres, with an area of 49.2 m5, and the sign on the south elevation has a length of 14.6 metres and a height of 6.0 metres, with an area of 87.6 m5.
The signs do not comply with Chapter 297 of the Municipal Code in the following ways:
(1) the height of the signs will exceed the maximum height permitted of 3.0 metres by 3.0 metres; and
(2) the area of the signs(49.2 m5 and 87.6 m5) will exceed the maximum area of sign permitted of 25 m5.
The property is also subject to University Avenue By-law No. 13409 which regulates signs along University Avenue between Front Street and College Street. Under By-law No. 13409, the proposed signs are not permitted and the applicant has applied to the Committee of Adjustment for a variance which will be considered on March 4, 1998.
The proposed signs consist of a company name below a logo which together constitute the company=s new trademark. The variances occur because the height and area restrictions of the logo and name combined will be exceeded. The size of signs is regulated in order to reduce the visual impact of signs on the streetscape and on the buildings to which they are attached.
The applicant=s original submission proposed a substantially larger sign on the south elevation of the building having an area of 125 m5. However, I was concerned about the potentially negative visual impact a sign of this size would have on the building and upon the view northward of the Ontario Legislature, and requested the applicant to make modifications to address this concern. In the revised proposal, the letter heights have been reduced from 2.3 metres to 1.6 metres and the logo component has been reduced from 4.5 metres to 3.2 metres and both the letter and logo would now be fully contained within the parapet wall of the building. The smaller north-facing sign raised no concerns.
In my opinion, the revised proposal represents a meaningful improvement over the initial submission, the proposed signs are comparable in size to those which they are intended to replace and are in keeping with other corporate logo signs along University Avenue.
I am, therefore, recommending approval of this application, as I find the variances requested to be minor and within the general intent and purpose of the sign provisions of the Municipal Code.
Contact Name:
Lora Mazzocca
Telephone: (416) 392-0421
Fax: (416) 392-7536
E-Mail: lmazzocc@city.toronto.on.ca
(February 2, 1998)
Subject: 220 Bay Street, Application No. 997109: Request for approval of a variance from Chapter 297, Signs, of the City of Toronto Municipal Code, upon application by Entro Communications, 122 Parliament Street, Toronto, Ontario, M5A 2Y8, on behalf of Schumacher-Lichius Inge/220 Bay Management Inc., 220 Bay Street, Suite 201, Toronto, Ontario, M5J 2W4. (Downtown)
Purpose:
To review and make recommendations respecting an application for a variance to permit one illuminated fascia sign.
Funding Sources, Financial Implications and Impact Statement:
Not applicable.
Recommendations:
It is recommended that:
(1) City Council approve Application No. 997109 respecting a minor variance from Chapter 297, Signs, of the City of Toronto Municipal Code to permit one illuminated fascia sign on condition that the owner agree not to erect additional exterior signage or authorize an application for additional exterior signage on the 1st and 2nd floors of the building except to identify the future ground floor tenant; and
(2) The applicant be advised, upon approval of Application No. 997109, of the requirement to obtain the necessary permits from the Commissioner of Urban Development Services.
Comments:
The property is located on the north-west corner of Bay Street and Wellington Street West, in a mixed-use (commercial/residential) district. The property accommodates a 15 storey commercial building. The applicant is requesting permission to install an illuminated fascia sign on the south-east corner of the building on the support column (see Figures 1-3). The sign consists of a bronze cast Adolphin@, a stainless steel Aglobe@ and a stainless steel sign band with backlit illuminated letters and will be used to identify the main tenant of the building. The sign has a total area of 4.96 m5 and complies with the maximum permitted projection of 0.45 metres for fascia signs.
The sign does not comply with Chapter 297 of the Municipal Code in that it will not be located within the tenant=s commercial unit frontage.
The Municipal Code requires signs to be erected on the first and second storeys of buildings, but also requires that signage be erected on the portion of the wall belonging to a particular commercial unit, so that each commercial unit is allowed to be identified. The intent of these provisions is to prevent oversignage and limit the possible negative impact of signage on the appearance of buildings. Originally, I was concerned about the potential negative impact that might result if signage for other tenants of the building were erected on each of the building=s columns in the future. However, the owner has provided documentation in the form of a letter which indicates that the applicant is the main tenant of the building and has been granted exclusive rights to exterior signage.
On this basis I am recommending approval of this variance, on condition that no additional exterior signage be erected on the first and second floors of the building, except to identify the future ground floor tenant.
Contact Name:
Lora Mazzocca
Telephone: (416) 392-0421
Fax: (416) 392-7536
E-Mail: lmazzocc@city.toronto.on.ca
(February 2, 1998)
Subject: 273 Bloor Street West, Application No. 997106: Request for approval of variances from Chapter 297, Signs, of the City of Toronto Municipal Code, upon application by KPMB Architects, 322 King Street West, Toronto, Ontario, M5V 1J2, on behalf of The Royal Conservatory of Music c/o Colin Graham, 273 Bloor Street West, Toronto, Ontario, M5S 1W2 (Downtown)
Purpose:
To review and make recommendations respecting an application for variances to permit two illuminated ground signs and two non-illuminated ground signs.
Funding Sources, Financial Implications and Impact Statement:
Not applicable.
Recommendations:
It is recommended that:
(1) City Council approve Application No. 997106 respecting minor variances from Chapter 297, Signs, of the City of Toronto Municipal Code to permit two illuminated ground signs and two non-illuminated ground signs;
(2) The applicant be advised, upon approval of Application No. 997106, of the requirement to obtain the necessary permits from the Commissioner of Urban Development Services; and
(3) The applicant be advised of the comments of Heritage Toronto respecting the condition of the front porch entrance as outlined in this report.
Comments:
The property is located on the south side of Bloor Street, in a mixed-use (commercial/residential) and institutional district. The property accommodates The Royal Conservatory of Music. The building is designated under Part IV of the Ontario Heritage Act.
The applicant is requesting permission to erect four ground signs within the Bloor Street frontage of the property (see Figure 3). The signs have dimensions as follows:
Signs Nos. 1 and 2 each have a length of 1.2 metres and a height of 1.5 metres, with an area of 1.8 m5;
Signs Nos. 3 and 4 each have a length of 0.8 metres and a height of 4.7 metres, with an area of 4.0 m5.
The signs do not comply with Chapter 297 of the Municipal Code in the following ways:
(1) the area of signs nos. 3 and 4 (4.0 m5) will each exceed the permitted area of 2.5 m5 by 1.5 m5;
(2) the signs will have a height above grade of 2.1 metres and 7.4 metres instead of the permitted 2.0 metres; and
(3) only one sign is permitted within the Bloor Street frontage of the property.
The three variances occur because the signs are more numerous, larger and higher than permitted by the Municipal Code. The number of signs as well as their size and height above grade are regulated in order to reduce the visual impact of signs on the streetscape and on the buildings to which they are attached. In this instance, the signs would be used to identify the building=s Bloor Street entrance which is significantly set back from the property line. The signs have been designed for the purposes of building identification and as a directory for visitors to the building. The two building identification signs are located on either side of the building=s main entrance and oriented north/south, while the two directory signs are located approximately 12 metres closer to the sidewalk and oriented east/west.
The positioning and orientation of the proposed signs reduces their visual impact on the streetscape and, in my opinion, the signs are appropriately sized for their intended functions.
Heritage Toronto has advised that they have no objections to this application. However, they have expressed concerns respecting the deterioration of the historical front porch entrance. The front porch entrance is in poor condition and individual pieces of brick appear to be in danger of falling off the wall. This is a potentially dangerous condition for anyone entering the Conservatory. Consequently, Heritage Toronto have suggested that a conservation architect be retained and that maintenance work including flashing and masonry repairs be accomplished as soon as possible.
I am recommending approval of this application, as I find the variances requested to be minor and within the general intent and purpose of the sign provisions of the Municipal Code.
Contact Name:
Lora Mazzocca
Telephone: (416) 392-0421
Fax: (416) 392-7536
E-Mail: lmazzocc@city.toronto.on.ca
(February 2, 1998)
Subject: 175 Bloor Street East: Request for approval of variances from Chapter 297, Signs, of the City of Toronto Municipal Code, upon application by Oxford Development Group Inc., 175 Bloor Street East, Suite 907, Toronto, Ontario, M4W 3R8 on behalf of Crown Life Insurance Co., 1881 Scarth Street, Regina Saskatchewan, S4P 4K9. (Downtown)
Purpose:
To review and make recommendations respecting an application for variances to permit one illuminated pedestal sign.
Funding Sources, Financial Implications and Impact Statement:
Not applicable.
Recommendations:
It is recommended that:
(1) City Council approve Application No. 997101, as revised, respecting minor variances from Chapter 297, Signs, of the City of Toronto Municipal Code to permit one illuminated pedestal sign; and
(2) The applicant be advised, upon approval of Application No. 997101, as revised, of the requirement to obtain the necessary permits from the Commissioner of Urban Development Services.
Comments:
The property is located on the south-east corner of Bloor Street East and Church Street, in a mixed-use (commercial/residential) district. The property accommodates an 18 storey commercial building.
The applicant is requesting permission to install one illuminated pedestal sign on the north-west corner of the property (see Figure 1). The sign has a length of 1.4 metres and a height of 1.8 metres, with an area of 2.5 m5.
The sign does not comply with Chapter 297 of the Municipal Code in the following ways:
(1) the sign will not be set back 2 metres from the streetline and 6 metres from the point of intersection of the 2 streets; and
(2) the sign will have a horizontal dimension greater than the maximum permitted of 2.3 metres.
At its meeting of April 2, 1996, the former City of Toronto Council passed By-law No. 1996-0172 to amend Chapter 297, Signs of the Municipal Code to increase the separation and setback requirements for ground and pedestal signs in CR and MCR districts throughout the City. The regulations are aimed at ensuring that, where possible, commercial streetscapes and view corridors are preserved and enhanced and sight lines for motorists, cyclists and pedestrians are improved.
In this instance, the applicant proposes to install identification signage onto an existing granite structure, thereby enlarging the structure. The granite structure is located approximately 1 metre from the north property line with concrete vent shafts located immediately to the south.
Originally the sign was proposed to be 1.9 m high for its entire 1.7 m width (Figure 2). However, I was concerned that a sign this high and wide might block the views of pedestrians resulting in potential conflicts between pedestrians entering and exiting the site in close proximity to the sign. Consequently, I requested, and the applicant agreed, to reduce the overall height of the sign and to reduce the length of the upper portion of the sign in order to ensure adequate sightlines as illustrated on Figure 3.
I am recommending approval of this application as revised, as I find the variances requested to be minor and within the general intent and purpose of the sign provisions of the Municipal Code.
Contact Name:
Lora Mazzocca
Telephone: (416) 392-0421
Fax: (416) 392-7536
E-Mail: lmazzocc@city.toronto.on.ca
(February 4, 1998)
Subject: 1884 Queen Street East, Application No. 998001: Request for approval of a variance from Chapter 297, Signs, of the City of Toronto Municipal Code, upon application by Vincent Planning & Development Consultants Inc., 250 The Esplanade, Suite 302, Toronto, Ontario, M5A 1J2, on behalf of Shell Canada, 45 Vogell Road, Suite 700, Richmond Hill, Ontario, L4B 3Y6. (East Toronto)
Purpose:
To review and make recommendations respecting an application for a variance to permit four illuminated Aoutrigger@ signs.
Funding Sources, Financial Implications and Impact Statement:
Not applicable.
Recommendations:
It is recommended that:
(1) City Council approve Application No.998001 respecting a minor variance from Chapter 297, Signs, of the City of Toronto Municipal Code to permit four illuminated outrigger signs; and
(2) The applicant be advised, upon approval of Application No. 998001, of the requirement to obtain the necessary permits from the Commissioner of Urban Development Services.
Comments:
The property is located on the north-east corner of Woodbine Avenue and Queen Street East, in a mixed-use (commercial/residential) district. The property accommodates an automotive service station.
The applicant is requesting permission to install four illuminated outrigger signs, in conjunction with a newly renovated gas bar (see Figure 1). The signs each have a length of 1.6 metres and a height of 0.5 metres, with an area of 0.85 m5.
The signs do not comply with Chapter 297, Signs, of the Municipal Code in that the outrigger signs are not a sign type defined under Municipal Code and therefore are not permitted.
At its meeting dated January 21, 1998, Toronto Community Council requested that I report back on design guidelines of gas stations and gas bars within the context of the urban environment. The report is currently being undertaken by staff. In this instance, the applicant has requested deferral
of three of the proposed seven signs pending the outcome of this study. However, the applicant has requested that I report on the four illuminated outrigger signs that would be used to identify the existing gas pumps.
The signs would be suspended 0.9 metres below the underside of the service canopy and would be oriented north/south, parallel to the pump island. Illumination from these signs would be minimal given their small size and would be directed towards Woodbine Avenue and the gas station kiosk and not towards the residential uses located immediately north.
In my opinion, the signs are necessary to ensure the safety of vehicles manoeuvring within the gas pump area and will not prejudice the results of the study currently being undertaken by staff.
Given this reason, I am recommending approval of this application, as I find the variance requested to be minor and within the general intent and purpose of the sign provisions of the Municipal Code.
Contact Name:
Lora Mazzocca
Telephone: (416) 392-0421
Fax: (416) 392-7536
E-Mail: lmazzocc@city.toronto.on.ca
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