Variances from Chapter 297, Signs,

of the Former City of Toronto Municipal Code -

(North Toronto, Downtown and Davenport)

The Toronto Community Council recommends the adoption of the following reports from the Commissioner of Urban Planning and Development Services:

(January 25, 1999)

Purpose:

To review and make recommendations respecting an application for variances to permit one illuminated projecting sign for identification purposes at 40 Eglinton Avenue East.

Source of Funds:

Not applicable.

Recommendations:

(1)That City Council approve Application No. 999002 respecting minor variances from Chapter 297, Signs, of the former City of Toronto Municipal Code to permit one illuminated projecting sign at 40 Eglinton Avenue East; and

(2)That the applicant be advised, upon approval of Application No. 999002, of the requirement to obtain the necessary permits from the Commissioner of Urban Planning and Development Services.

Comments:

The property is located on the north side of Eglinton Avenue East, between Yonge Street and Mount Pleasant Road, in a mixed-use zoning district. The property accommodates a nine storey office building with a "Summit Grill House" restaurant / tavern on the first floor.

The applicant is requesting permission to erect one illuminated projecting sign for identification purposes for the restaurant. The sign will have a length of 1.37 metres and a height of 1.68 metres, with an area of 2.30 mē, (see Figure 1).

The proposed sign does not comply with Chapter 297 of the Municipal Code in the following ways:

(1)the area of the proposed sign (2.30 mē) exceeds by 0.90 mē the maximum 1.40 mē sign area permitted; and

(2)the sign will project 1.37 metres over the public walkway instead of the permitted 1.0 metre.

The first variance occurs because the area of the proposed sign (2.30 mē) exceeds by 0.90 mē the maximum 1.40 mē 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 commercial unit has on the street. In this instance, the sign exceeds the permitted size because the frontage of the unit is relatively narrow (14.0 metres). However, the frontage of the building in which the unit is accommodated is 37.2 metres long and therefore, the size of the proposed sign is, in my opinion, appropriate.

The second variance results from the extent of the sign's projection from the building face. The proposed sign would project 1.37 metres over the walkway which exceeds by 0.37 metre the maximum 1.0 metre projection permitted by the Municipal Code. In this case, however, the building is set back 1.37 metres from the lot-line. The proposed sign, although extending over the pedestrian walkway, will be located wholly within the applicant's property and will therefore not encroach into the public sidewalk. It is my opinion, that the sign is in keeping with other signs along this segment of Eglinton Avenue East and its extent of projection will not endanger or inconvenience pedestrians.

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:

Norm Girdhar

Telephone: (416) 392-7209

Fax: (416) 392-0580

E-Mail: ngirdhar@toronto.ca

(January 15, 1999)

Purpose:

To review and make recommendations respecting an application for variances to maintain one illuminated fascia sign for identification purposes on the front elevation at 687 Yonge Street.

Source of Funds:

Not applicable.

Recommendations:

(1)That City Council approve Application No. 998089 respecting minor variances from Chapter 297, Signs, of the former City of Toronto Municipal Code to maintain one illuminated fascia sign for identification purposes on the front elevation at 687 Yonge Street; and

(2)That the applicant be advised, upon approval of Application No. 998089, of the requirement to obtain the necessary permits from the Commissioner of Urban Planning and Development Services.

Comments:

The property is located on the east side of Yonge Street, in a mixed-use zoning district. The property accommodates a two-storey commercial building. The applicant is requesting permission to maintain one illuminated fascia sign for identification purposes (see Figure 1). The sign has a length of 3.41 metres and a height of 1.78 metres, with an area of 6.07 mē.

The sign does not comply with Chapter 297 of the Municipal Code in the following ways:

(1)the fascia sign identifying the commercial unit located on the first storey is projecting more than the permitted 0.8 metre above the second floor level;

(2)the aggregate area of the sign exceeds the permitted 30% of the building face of the first storey commercial unit; and

(3)the sign obstructs and interferes with a window of the building.

The first variance occurs because the sign is projecting 1.42 metres above the second floor level, and exceeds by 0.62 metre the maximum 0.80 metre projection which is permitted. The purpose of the By-law is to ensure that each tenant has an opportunity to display adequate signage. In this case, the applicant has confirmed that only one tenant is occupying the entire building and the second floor is being used for office and storage use. Therefore, no one is denied the opportunity to display signage.

The second variance relates to the maximum sign area permitted on the first floor. The maximum area permitted for a fascia sign on the first floor level and which also extends onto the second floor level is not more than 30 percent of the building face of the first storey commercial unit. The area of sign (6.07 mē) exceeds by 2.06 mē the maximum 4.01 mē sign area permitted. 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. In this instance, the sign exceeds the maximum permitted area because the frontage of the building is relatively narrow (3.81 metres). However, the size of the fascia sign is consistent with many of the other existing signs that have been erected along this portion of Yonge Street and is not, in my opinion, excessive.

Respecting the third variance, the sign does obstruct a portion of a window, however, the obstruction of this window does not affect any residential views nor light access, as the applicant has advised that this space is used for associated storage and office functions.

Staff of the Toronto Historical Board have no comments on this application and they have advised that the property is not included on the City of Toronto's Inventory of Heritage Properties or designated under the terms of the Ontario Heritage Act.

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:

Norm Girdhar

Telephone: (416) 392-7209

Fax: (416) 392-0580

E-Mail: ngirdhar@toronto.ca