Pattison Outdoor – One Third Party Sign Variance – 1470 The Queensway 1

STAFF REPORT ACTION REQUIRED

Application by Pattison Outdoor for One Variance Respecting a Proposed Third Party Ground Sign – 1470 The Queensway Date: October 2, 2012

Ward: Ward 5 – Etobicoke-Lakeshore

File No.: TP-12-00003

IBMS File No.: 12-231158

PURPOSE OF THE APPLICATION

To obtain one variance to Chapter 694, Signs, General, required to allow Pattison Outdoor to erect and display one illuminated third party ground sign at a height of 10.00 metres, containing two sign faces, each face 6.10 metres wide by 3.05 metres long and each displaying mechanical (tri-vision) copy, within 400 metres of the F. G. Gardiner Expressway. This third party sign variance application also includes the removal of an existing third party roof sign located on the subject premises.

This report recommends the requested variance from Chapter 694 be approved as it meets the criteria established in §694-30A.

Figure 1: 1470 The Queensway - Sign District Map Excerpt

Pattison Outdoor – One Third Party Sign Variance – 1470 The Queensway 2

RECOMMENDATIONS

The Manager, Sign By-law Unit, Toronto Building, recommends that:

1. The Sign Variance Committee approve the variance requested from the requirement of §694-24.A.(1) to allow a third party ground sign within a specified restricted area; and

2. The Sign Variance Committee impose a condition that, prior to the issuance of a sign permit for the subject third party ground sign, the existing third party roof sign located on the premises municipally known as 1470 The Queensway be removed and that all associated permits be revoked.

SITE CONTEXT AND SIGN ATTRIBUTES

Table 1 – Summary of Area Surrounding 1470 The Queensway

Sign District Designation of property: E - Employment

Sign District Designations of Surrounding Properties:

North East South West

"E" sign district "E" sign district "CR" sign district "E" sign district

Land Uses and attributes of Surrounding Properties:

North East South West

Single-storey industrial packaging

Single-storey commercial

Single-storey food services Single-storey truck rental

COMMENTS

The existing single-storey industrial building at 1470 The Queensway is located on the north side of The Queensway within an E-Employment sign district.

Third party ground signs are common in employment areas and are more compatible with the built-form found there. Buildings in employment areas are generally large in scale, one or two storeys in height and set back a substantial distance from the street providing room for ground signs to be erected without contributing to visual clutter.

The proposed third party ground sign is set back 9.00 metres from the southern frontage of the property, along The Queensway, next to an existing one-storey industrial building and is directed to traffic travelling both east and west along The Queensway.

Pattison Outdoor – One Third Party Sign Variance – 1470 The Queensway 3

Table 2 – Summary of Proposed Sign Attributes

Sign Type: Ground Sign

Sign Copy Type: Mechanical Sign Copy Type Permitted? Yes

Sign Orientation: East and West

Sign Dimensions (m): 6.10 x 3.05

Chapter 694 Requirement

Requested Permission

Magnitude of Variance

Maximum Sign Face Area (m2) 20 < 20 No Variance Required

Maximum Sign Height (m) 10 10 No Variance Required

Minimum required distance to the nearest R, RA or OS Sign District (m) 30 > 30 No Variance

Required

Minimum Required distance to the nearest intersection (m) 15 > 15 No Variance

Required

Minimum required distance To Gardiner Expressway (m) 400 355 - 45

Minimum Required Yard Setback (m) 4.5 > 4.5 No Variance Required

Minimum required distance to the nearest intersection (m) 30.0 > 30 No Variance

Required

Criteria Established by §694-30A

In order to review, consider and make recommendations on sign variance applications, criteria to evaluate an application for a variance is provided in Chapter 694. §694-30A states that an application for a variance from the provisions of Chapter 694 may only be granted where it is established that the proposed sign meets each of these criteria.

Pattison Outdoor – One Third Party Sign Variance – 1470 The Queensway 4

Table 3 – Review of Sign Proposal Against Established Criteria in §694-30A

Chapter 694 Reference Established Criteria

Meets Criteria? (Yes/No)

Comments

694-30A(1) Is warranted based on physical circumstances applicable to the property or the premises.

Yes

The property where the proposed sign is to be located is approximately 355m from the F.G Gardiner Expressway, the sign as proposed is not expected to impact traffic safety on the F.G Gardiner Expressway. The sign complies with all other applicable setbacks and separation distance requirements.

694-30A(2) Is consistent with the architecture of the building or development of the property

Yes The building is a basic design with few architectural features that would be affected or obstructed by the proposed location of the sign. A third party ground sign in this location is consistent with the development of the property.

694-30A(3)

Is consistent with buildings and other features of properties or premises within 120 metres of the location of the proposed sign

Yes

There are several ground signs located on adjacent properties. Ground signs are common in employment areas due to available land and building setbacks. The proposed third party ground sign is consistent with the type of development and signage on adjacent properties and in employment areas.

694-30A(4) Will not alter the essential character of the area Yes

There are a number of third party ground signs already in employment areas adjacent to the Gardiner Expressway. The addition of this ground sign does not alter the essential character of the area.

694-30A(5) Will not adversely affect adjacent properties Yes

The properties adjacent to the location of the proposed third party ground sign are single storey buildings with activities contained inside. There are no land uses that would be impacted by the placement of the proposed sign. As well, the sign will be subject to the illumination provisions in Chapter 694 and would be erected in conjunction with the removal of an existing billboard roof sign located on the same property further reducing any impacts along The Queensway or on any adjacent properties.

694-30A(6) Will not adversely affect public safety Yes

The location of the proposed third party ground sign does not obstruct or interfere with access and egress to and from the site; nor does it interfere with or obstruct vehicular traffic along The Queensway or the F. G. Gardner Expressway.

694-30A(7) Is, in the opinion of the decision maker, not contrary to the public interest

Yes

Notice of the application was posted on the property for 30 days prior to the Hearing. A written notice of the proposal was mailed out to the local Ward Councillor and to the mailing addresses of residential and business tenancies within a 120 metre radius of the property. To date, no comments or concerns have been received from the public or the Ward Councillor.

694-30A(8) Is of a sign class or a sign type that is permitted in the sign district where the premises is located

Yes Staff have confirmed the subject property is located within an E-Employment sign district where third party ground signs are permitted.

694-30A(9) Is not expressly prohibited by Subsection 694-15B Yes Staff have confirmed that the proposed signage is not expressly prohibited by §694-15B of

Chapter 694, Signs, General, of the City of Toronto Municipal Code.

Pattison Outdoor – One Third Party Sign Variance – 1470 The Queensway 5

CONCLUSION

In consideration of the variance requested to Chapter 694, Signs, General, to erect and display one illuminated third party ground sign at a height of 10.00 metres, containing two sign faces, each face 6.10 metres wide by 3.05 metres long and each displaying mechanical (tri-vision) copy, within 400 metres of the F. G. Gardiner Expressway; it is recommended that the Sign Variance Committee approve the variance requested to allow the third party ground sign.

CONTACT

Greg Crompton, Sign Inspector/Examiner Sign By-law Unit, Toronto Building Tel: (416) 392-7209; E-mail: gcrompt@toronto.ca

SIGNATURE

_______________________________ Ted Van Vliet Manager, Sign By-law Unit

ATTACHMENTS

1. Applicant’s Submission Package

Pattison Outdoor – One Third Party Sign Variance – 1470 The Queensway 6

ATTACHMENT 1: APPLICANT'S SUBMISSION PACKAGE

Pattison Outdoor – One Third Party Sign Variance – 1470 The Queensway 7

Pattison Outdoor – One Third Party Sign Variance – 1470 The Queensway 8

Pattison Outdoor – One Third Party Sign Variance – 1470 The Queensway 9

Pattison Outdoor – One Third Party Sign Variance – 1470 The Queensway 10

Pattison Outdoor – One Third Party Sign Variance – 1470 The Queensway 11

Pattison Outdoor – One Third Party Sign Variance – 1470 The Queensway 12

Pattison Outdoor – One Third Party Sign Variance – 1470 The Queensway 13

Pattison Outdoor – One Third Party Sign Variance – 1470 The Queensway 14

Pattison Outdoor – One Third Party Sign Variance – 1470 The Queensway 15