STAFF REPORT
December 22, 1999
To: Planning and Transportation Committee
From: Acting Commissioner, Urban Development Services
Subject: Timelines for Sign By-laws
Purpose:
To inform Council of the schedule for development of harmonized sign by-laws.
Financial Implications and Impact Statement:
None at this time.
Recommendations:
It is recommended that this report be received for information.
Background:
I was asked to report to the Planning and Transportation Committee on: timelines and possible guidelines regarding
illuminated signs, and also with a harmonized sign by-law.
Comments:
The harmonized sign by-law referred to relates to road allowance signage. A first draft of a Road Allowance Sign By-law
has been submitted to the Legal Department, and comments were received December 17, 1999. Based on the issues raised,
some revisions to the draft will be required. It is anticipated that these can be completed and reviewed in time for a draft by
law to be submitted to the February meeting of the Planning and Transportation Committee.
A draft harmonized fee schedule for sign permits was also submitted to the Legal Department with comments received
December 17, 1999. Again, some revisions are required, and we anticipate submission of the fee schedule to the February
meeting of the Planning and Transportation Committee.
With respect to a private property sign by-law, the development of the by-law will be a three stage process. The Planning
Division will take the lead on the first stage, policy development, in consultation with the Building and Municipal
Licensing and Standards Division. The next stage, development of the by-law, will be led by Municipal Licensing and
Standards, in consultation with Planning, Building, and Legal. The final stage will be development of Best Practices
associated with the By-law, and this will involve Building, Municipal Licensing and Standards, and Planning. The issue of
illuminated signs will be considered in the entire process.
The staff member from Planning who will take the lead will be in a position early in the new year. The final stages of
staffing the supervisory level for Municipal Licensing and Licensing and Standards will be complete early in the new year.
Thus the process can begin in mid January, with a first stage report to Planning and Transportation by April.
Conclusions:
Road allowance and fee issues regarding signs will be addressed in reports to Committee in February. The process for
private property signs will begin in January and will be the subject of a status report in April
Contact:
HAROLD BRATTEN JAMES RIDGE
Acting Executive Director Acting Commissioner
Municipal Licensing and Standards Municipal Licensing and Standards
12th Floor, East Tower, City Hall
416-392-8768 (tel.)
416-392-8805 (fax)
