Variance to City of Toronto Interim Control By-law No. 280-1998

Prohibiting Third Party Advertising Signs within 400 metres of the

Gardiner Expressway at 423 Evans Avenue (Lakeshore-Queensway)

The Etobicoke Community Council submits the following report (April 28, 1999) from the Director of Building and Deputy Chief Building Official, without recommendation:

Purpose:

To provide staff comments on a sign by-law variance application at 423 Evans Avenue (Lakeshore-Queensway), based on the intent of Interim Control By-law No. 280-1998.

Recommendation:

It is recommended that the 200 square foot "V" shaped Standard Outdoor Advertising Roof sign be allowed, subject to the following:

(1)the closest part of the sign be maintained at a minimum distance of 67 metres from the residential zoned properties to the west;

(2)the sign shall be non-illuminated and be oriented at an angle of 45 degrees from Evans Avenue;

(3)Community Council adopt the recommendation from the Sign Variance Advisory Committee approving a variance to the Etobicoke Sign Code; and

(4)the sign shall not be erected until a building permit has been issued.

Council Reference:

City of Toronto passed Interim Control By-law No. 280-1998 to prohibit Third Party Advertising Signs on lands adjacent to and within 400 metres of certain former provincial highways. This sign variance report has been prepared for the consideration of Community Council.

Comments:

A variance application with respect to the Etobicoke Sign Code, was heard by the Sign Variance Advisory Committee in November 1998. A recommendation to vary Section 215-22 C(4)(c) Standard Outdoor Roof Signs was accepted by the Committee, subject to some conditions.

Item 1(c) in the recommendations section of the above-mentioned variance report dated November24, 1998, required a further variance through Community Council to the 400 metre prohibition of third party signs under By-law No. 280-1998. As the proposed sign will be approximately 232 metres from the Gardiner Expressway it will contravene the by-law.

Etobicoke Community Council held the item pending additional information.

Staff have since re-visited the site and have reviewed the location of the proposed sign in light of Interim Control By-law No. 280-1998. We feel that the "v" shaped sign is designed and oriented to attract east and west bound traffic on Evans Avenue not the Gardiner Expressway. The sign will be located approximately 232 metres away from the Gardiner Expressway and will be blocked from its view by high industrial buildings across the street on the north side of Evans Avenue. Furthermore, the applicant has supplied additional information in the form of a video shot from the roof of the building panning from west to east toward the expressway. The video shows the intervening high buildings to the north and illustrates, to our satisfaction, that the sign will not undermine the intent of the by-law.

In keeping with Council's recommendations, we have consulted with the Transportation Division of Works and Emergency Services for their perspective on the issue in light of the Commercial Sign Policy used by the Ministry of Transportation and former Metro Transportation Department.

Conclusions:

We feel that the sign will not be viewable to motorists travelling on the Gardiner Expressway since it will be screened from view by intervening buildings. The sign is small in size and a considerable distance away. In our opinion it is in keeping with the intent of By-law No. 280-1998, and the Etobicoke Sign Code subject, of course, to the conditions noted in the Etobicoke Sign Variance application dated November 24, 1998.

Contact Name:

John B. Brabant, Manager, Plan Review, West District

Tel: (416) 394-8054; Fax: (416) 394-8209

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Mr. Sid Catalano, Director of Legislation, Pattison Outdoor Advertising, appeared before the Etobicoke Community Council in connection with the foregoing matter.