Item - 2016.SB8.2

The Sign Variance Committee:

1.  Received the item for information, noting that the Applicant has withdrawn their application.

This report reviews and makes recommendations respecting an application made by Outfront Media (the "Applicant") for one third party electronic ground sign. The proposed sign is located on the south side of Eglinton Avenue East, approximately 170 metres east of Leslie Street, within a Canadian Pacific rail corridor (see Figure 1). The proposed sign is intended to be located west of a bridge embankment supporting the rail corridor. The sign is proposed to face eastbound traffic along Eglinton Avenue East and contain one sign face.

Seven variances from the regulations contained in the Sign By-law were required to allow the issuance of a permit for the erection and display of that proposed sign.  The initially requested variances are described in Figure 2.

Subsequent to the submission of the application and circulation to the community, the proposal was revised by the Applicant and the number of variances being sought were reduced (see "Notes" column in Figure 2).  The sign face area of the proposed third party electronic ground sign is now to be 32.54 square metres (3.05 metres vertically by 10.67 metres horizontally) and the two existing third party ground signs located within the rail corridor spanning Eglinton Avenue East are proposed to be removed. This revised application now seeks only four variances as the variances to §§ 694-22D, 694-22E and 694-25D(3)(h) are no longer required.

Upon review of the Applicant's revised submission, the Chief Building Official (the "CBO") submits that all four variances required for the proposed sign should be refused on the basis that not all nine of the established criteria have been met.  The CBO is of the opinion that the Applicant has failed to meet six of the nine criteria required to be established. The CBO recommends refusal of the four variances required for the proposed sign, on the basis that the sign is not compatible with the development of the premises and surrounding area; does not support the Official Plan objectives for the subject premise and the surrounding area; will adversely affect adjacent premises; may adversely affect public safety; will alter the character of the premise or the surrounding area; and, is contrary to the public interest.