Item - 2017.EX21.8

The Executive Committee recommends that:

1.  City Council approve an amendment to Schedule C, Additional Special Sign District Regulations, of Chapter 694, Signs, General, to adopt new regulations for the property municipally known as 1 Dundas Street East, substantially in accordance with the draft by-law set out in Attachment 4 to the report (January 3, 2017) from the Chief Building Official and Executive Director, Toronto Building and the General Manager, Economic Development and Culture.

2.  City Council authorize the Yonge-Dundas Square Board of Management to negotiate and execute an ten-year agreement with Outfront Media Canada LP through its general partner Outfront Media Canada GP Co.("Outfront"),  for a new signage program on the Square as detailed in this report and subject to terms and conditions reflecting the content of Attachment 5 to the report (January 3, 2017) from the Chief Building Official and Executive Director, Toronto Building and the General Manager, Economic Development and Culture, and on other terms and conditions satisfactory to the General Manager, Economic Development and Culture and the General Manager, Yonge-Dundas Square, and in a form satisfactory to the City Solicitor.

3.   City Council approve the lease of portions of Yonge-Dundas Square and consent to the structural additions, alterations and improvements to Yonge-Dundas Square listed in Attachment 6 to the report (January 3, 2017) from the Chief Building Official and Executive Director, Toronto Building and the General Manager, Economic Development and Culture required to implement the agreement.

4.  City Council direct that the 2018 and future year financial implications of this agreement be reported to the Budget Committee for consideration during the 2018 Budget processes.

5.  The City Solicitor be authorized to prepare the necessary Bills for introduction in Council to implement the above recommendations, subject to such stylistic and technical changes to the draft bills as may be required.

This is a joint report from the Chief Building Official and Executive Director, Toronto Building and the General Manager, Economic Development and Culture.  It is before the Executive Committee for approval as it deals with subject matter generally assigned to two separate Committees of Council:

-  The approval of a proposed ten-year contract for the installation, operation and leasing of seven signs, as well as any required structural alterations to Yonge-Dundas Square to accommodate the signs, which is generally a matter for the Government Management Committee; and
 

-  An area-specific amendment to the Sign By-law amending the regulations for the Yonge-Dundas Square Special Sign District which is generally a matter for the Planning and Growth Management Committee.
 

The Yonge-Dundas Square Board of Management (the "YDS-Board"), undertook a two-year visioning exercise to improve the functional and visual appeal of Yonge-Dundas Square (the "Square") as a public square. This was after the Board found that many events being held at the Square required the installation of rented temporary electronic displays, which adversely impacted client engagement.

The YDS-Board developed a comprehensive signage plan for the Square to address these issues, and conducted a two-phase Request for Information for the installation, operation, and maintenance of the components of a comprehensive signage plan, including incidental structural alterations to the Square (the "Signage Proposal"), as well as for potential signage-related revenue sources. 

The General Manager, Economic Development and Culture, recommends approval for the Board to enter into a ten-year contract with Outfront Media Canada LP through its general partner, Outfront Media Canada GP Co. ("Outfront") to: construct and maintain seven electronic signs, to provide other capital improvements and services, and to make any structural alterations and leasing arrangements necessary subject to the general terms and conditions set out in Appendix 5 of this report.  Any such agreement would be subject to any other terms and conditions satisfactory to the General Manager, Economic Development and Culture and the General Manager, Yonge-Dundas Square, in a form satisfactory to the City Solicitor.

The signage proposal is to establish a coordinated signage plan, which would replace the existing signs on the Square, and better serve the unique programming needs of the Square.  These proposed replacement signs would allow for the display of visitor information, public art, video projects, live events taking place at the Square, as well as event sponsorship and third-party advertising. 

The YDS-Board has made an application to amend Schedule C of the Sign By-law to implement the signage proposal in a manner similar to the regulations recently adopted for other properties within the Dundas Square Special Sign District.  The Chief Building Official and Executive Director recommends that City Council approve the proposed amendment to Schedule C of the Sign By-law.