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Variances from Chapter 297 - Signs,
of the Former City of Toronto Municipal Code -
(Downtown, Davenport)
The Toronto Community Council recommends the adoption of the following reports from the Commissioner of Urban Planning and Development Services:
(November 17, 1998)
Purpose:
To review and make recommendations respecting an application for a variance to maintain two non-illuminated, projecting, banner signs for identification purposes at 332 Yonge Street.
Source of Funds:
Not applicable.
Recommendations:
(1) That City Council approve Application No. 998060 respecting a minor variance from Chapter 297, Signs, of the former City of Toronto Municipal Code to maintain two non- illuminated, projecting, banner signs at 332 Yonge Street.
(2) That the applicant be advised, upon approval of Application No. 998060, of the requirement to obtain the necessary permits from the Commissioner of Urban Planning and Development Services.
Comments:
The property is located on the west side of Yonge Street, in a mixed-use district. The property accommodates a two-storey commercial building. The applicant is requesting permission to maintain two non-illuminated, projecting, banner signs for identification purposes (see Figure 1). Each of the signs have a length of 0.3 metre and a height of 1.81 metres, with an area of 0.54 m².
The signs do not comply with Chapter 297 of the Municipal Code in that the aggregate area of the signs (1.08 m²) exceeds by 0.30 m² the maximum 0.78 m² sign area permitted.
The size of signs above grade is regulated in order to reduce the visual impact of signs on the streetscape and on the buildings to which they are attached. The maximum area for a projecting sign is based on the amount of frontage the unit has on the street. In this instance, while the frontage of the building is relatively narrow (7.84 metres ), the signs only slightly exceed the maximum permitted size and their slightly larger size will not impact the streetscape and surrounding uses.
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:
Norm Girdhar
Telephone: (416) 392-7209
Fax: (416) 392-7536
E-Mail: ngirdhar@city.toronto.on.ca
Insert Table/Map No. 1
332 Yonge Street
Insert Table/Map No. 2
332 Yonge Street
Insert Table/Map No. 3
332 Yonge Street
Insert Table/Map No. 4
332 Yonge Street
(November 17, 1998)
Purpose:
To review and make recommendations respecting an application for a variance to maintain one non-illuminated awning sign at 1216 Dufferin Street.
Source of Funds:
Not applicable.
Recommendations:
It is recommended that:
(1) City Council approve Application No.998085 respecting a minor variance from Chapter 297, Signs, of the former City of Toronto Municipal Code to maintain one non-illuminated awning sign.
(2) The applicant be advised, upon approval of Application No. 998085, of the requirement to obtain the necessary permits from the Commissioner of Urban Planning and Development Services.
Comments:
The property is located on the west side of Dufferin Street, between Lappin Avenue and Millicent Street, in a residential (R2) district. The property accommodates a two storey mixed-use building with residential uses on the upper storey and commercial uses at grade. The applicant is requesting permission to maintain one non-illuminated awning sign to identify the ground floor commercial use (see Figures 1-3). The sign has a length of 2.1 metres and a height of 2.9 metres, with an area of 6.1 m².
The sign does not comply with Chapter 297 of the Municipal Code in that awning signs are not permitted in low density residential districts. This regulation is intended to minimize the visual impact of signs on the buildings, on the streetscape and on residential uses in the immediate vicinity. In this instance, the awning sign is located on the first floor level of this two storey building. The sign does not extend beyond the front walls of the adjacent buildings and does not obstruct the views of the existing signs on these buildings. Further, the sign is non-illuminated and will not impact the residential uses in the surrounding area.
For these reasons, I am recommending approval of this application.
Contact Name:
Lora Mazzocca
Telephone: (416) 392-0421
Fax: (416) 392-7536
E-Mail: lmazzocc@city.toronto.on.ca
Insert Table/Map No. 1
1216 Dufferin Street
Insert Table/Map No. 2
1216 Dufferin Street
Insert Table/Map No. 3
1216 Dufferin Street
Insert Table/Map No. 4
1216 Dufferin Street
(November 24, 1998)
Purpose:
To review and make recommendations respecting an application for variances to maintain four illuminated logo signs at 155 Dalhousie Street.
Source of Funds:
Not applicable.
Recommendations:
It is recommended that:
(1) City Council approve Application No. 998088 respecting minor variances from Chapter 297, Signs, of the former City of Toronto Municipal Code to maintain four illuminated logo signs.
(2) The applicant be advised, upon approval of Application No. 998088, of the requirement to obtain the necessary permits from the Commissioner of Urban Planning and Development Services.
Comments:
The property is located on a block bounded by Mutual Street, Gould Street and Dalhousie Street, in a mixed-use (commercial/residential) district. The property accommodates an eleven storey mixed-use building with residential uses on the upper storeys and commercial uses at grade. The property is listed under the City’s Inventory of Heritage Properties.
The applicant is requesting permission to maintain illuminated logo signs on the north, east and west elevations of the building to identify the grocery store use (see Figures 1-5). The signs each have a length of 2.4 metres and a height of 2.4 metres, with an area of 5.8 m².
The signs do not comply with Chapter 297 of the Municipal Code in the following ways:
1. the sign on the east elevation obstructs or interferes with a window of the building; and
2. the signs project more than 0.45 metres from the wall of the building.
The first variance occurs because the sign on the east elevation obstructs a window on the second storey level of the building. In this instance, however, a locker room is situated in behind the window and therefore views will not be affected.
The second variance results from the extent of the signs’ projection from the building face. The signs exceed the permitted maximum projection of 0.45 metres by 0.41 metres. In this instance, however, the applicant has advised that the additional projection was necessary in order to avoid obstruction to the exhaust grill.
While their location, approximately 6.3 metres above grade, will not endanger nor inconvenience pedestrians, Heritage Toronto staff have advised that they do not approve of the location of the signs on the building. Had Heritage Toronto staff had the opportunity to comment in advance of the signs being erected, they would have suggested that the signs not project beyond the corners of the building. However, given that the signs have already been installed and to avoid unnecessary damage to the building facade, I am prepared to recommend approval.
Contact Name:
Lora Mazzocca
Telephone: (416) 392-0421
Fax: (416) 392-7536
E-Mail: lmazzocc@city.toronto.on.ca
Insert Table/Map No. 1
155 Dalhousie Street
Insert Table/Map No. 2
155 Dalhousie Street
Insert Table/Map No. 3
155 Dalhousie Street
Insert Table/Map No. 4
155 Dalhousie Street
Insert Table/Map No. 5
155 Dalhousie Street
Insert Table/Map No. 6
155 Dalhousie Street
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