January 6, 1999

To:Toronto Community Council

From:Commissioner of Urban Planning and Development Services

Subject:181 Bay Street, Application No. 998096: Request for approval of a variance from Chapter 297, Signs, of the former City of Toronto Municipal Code, upon application by Peter Weber / WSI Sign Systems Ltd., 29 McEwan Drive, Bolton, Ontario, L7E 2A7 on behalf of 1225209 Ontario Ltd., 181 Bay Street, Suite 4400, Toronto, Ontario, M5J 2T3. (Ward 24 - Downtown)

Purpose:

To review and make recommendations respecting an application for a minor variance to permit one non-illuminated fascia sign in the form of individual letters which identifies the firm of 'Merrill Lynch' to be located on the west elevation at 181 Bay Street. The proposed (Merrill Lynch) sign will replace an existing (Midland Walwyn) fascia sign.

Source of Funds:

Not applicable.

Recommendations:

1. That City Council approve Application No. 998096 respecting a minor variance from Chapter 297, Signs, of the former City of Toronto Municipal Code to permit one non-illuminated fascia sign in the form of individual letters which identifies the firm of 'Merrill Lynch' to be located on the west elevation at 181 Bay Street.

2. That the applicant be advised, upon approval of Application No. 998096, of the requirement to obtain the necessary permits from the Commissioner of Urban Planning and Development Services.

Comments:

The subject property, known as 'BCE Place', occupies the entire block bounded by Bay Street, Wellington Street West, Yonge Street and Front Street West. There is a five storey podium that runs along the Wellington Street West, Yonge Street and Bay Street frontages. Two high-rise office towers sit atop of this podium.

The applicant is requesting permission to erect one non-illuminated fascia sign in the form of individual letters which identifies the firm of 'Merrill Lynch' to be located on the north end of the west elevation at the uppermost floor of the podium at 181 Bay Street (see Figure 1). The proposed (Merrill Lynch) sign is to replace an existing (Midland Walwyn) sign at that location. The proposed sign has a length of 6.20 metres and a height of 0.71 metre, with an area of 4.40 mē.

The sign does not comply with Chapter 297 of the Municipal Code in that only one identification sign is permitted on a building face.

The number of signs permitted within a single building face is regulated so as to prevent clutter and the negative impact of excessive signage on the building to which they are attached, on the the streetscape and the surrounding uses.

In this instance, it is recognized that the building face is a block long. The three well spaced signs of modest size (including the replacement sign) will not adversely impact the building, surrounding uses or the streetscape.

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) 392-0580

E-Mail: ngirdhar@toronto.ca

Beate Bowron

Director, Community Planning, South District

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