Item - 2019.SB1.1

The Sign Variance Committee:

1.  Withdrew the application to appeal respecting One First Party Electronic Ground Sign - 1275 Kennedy Road, without prejudice, at the request of the owner and applicant.

A decision of the Sign Variance Committee, in the case of a decision to refuse to grant a variance, is final and binding on the date the decision was issued; and in the case of a decision to grant a variance with conditions, the decision is final and binding 21 days after the date the decision was issued unless an application to consider is filed by the ward councillor in accordance with §694-30S of Chapter 694 of the City of Toronto Municipal Code.

This report addresses an appeal concerning five variances sought respecting a proposal for one first party electronic ground sign displaying electronic static copy (the "Proposed Sign"), which is currently operating without having first obtained the required Sign Permit. The Proposed Sign is located along the western property line at the property municipally known as 1275 Kennedy Road (the "Premises"), and is intended to direct attention to goods offered at "Life Style Flooring", located on the Premises.

The variance was originally applied for by Chris Lissitsas of City Lite Signs (the "Applicant"). After conducting a review in accordance with the requirements of the Sign By-law, a decision was made to refuse the requested variances. At that time, it was determined that the Proposed Sign did not meet all nine established criteria as contained in the Sign By-law. Specifically, the Proposed Sign was found to not be compatible with the development of the premises and surrounding area, that it would alter the character of the premises or surrounding area, and that it would be contrary to the public interest.

The Premises is designated as an Employment (E) Sign District. The size of the Proposed Sign compared with what the Sign By-law permits in an E Sign District, is out of scale with the Premise and with similar ground signs in the surrounding area. Therefore, the Chief Building Official (the "CBO") has concerns that the Proposed Sign will alter the character of the premises and surrounding area.

Currently, a large amount of various sign type exist in the area surrounding the Premises, and the CBO believes the addition of a large electronic ground sign on such a small frontage will further add to sign clutter. Because the Sign By-law regulations set out to reduce sign clutter, it appears that the Proposed Sign is contrary to the public interest.

This Supplementary Report provides an updated "Recommendation" along with updated details in "Attachment 1", providing additional clarification to the previously submitted report dated October 15, 2018.

This report addresses an appeal concerning five variances sought respecting a proposal for one first party electronic ground sign displaying electronic static copy (the "Proposed Sign"), which is currently operating without having first obtained the required Sign Permit. The Proposed Sign is located along the western property line at the property municipally known as 1275 Kennedy Road (the "Premises"), and is intended to direct attention to goods offered at "Life Style Flooring", located on the Premises.

The variance was originally applied for by Chris Lissitsas of City Lite Signs (the "Applicant"). After conducting a review in accordance with the requirements of the Sign By-law, a decision was made to refuse the requested variances. At that time, it was determined that the Proposed Sign did not meet all nine established criteria as contained in the Sign By-law. Specifically, the Proposed Sign was found to not be compatible with the development of the premises and surrounding area, that it would alter the character of the premises or surrounding area, and that it would be contrary to the public interest.

The Premises is designated as an Employment (E) Sign District. The size of the Proposed Sign compared with what the Sign By-law permits in an E Sign District, is out of scale with the Premise and with similar ground signs in the surrounding area. Therefore, the Chief Building Official (the "CBO") has concerns that the Proposed Sign will alter the character of the premises and surrounding area.

Currently, a large amount of various sign type exist in the area surrounding the Premises, and the CBO believes the addition of a large electronic ground sign on such a small frontage will further add to sign clutter. Because the Sign By-law regulations set out to reduce sign clutter, it appears that the Proposed Sign is contrary to the public interest.

This Supplementary Report provides an updated "Recommendation" along with updated details in "Attachment 1", providing additional clarification to the previously submitted report dated October 15, 2018.

This report addresses an appeal concerning five variances sought respecting a proposal for one first party electronic ground sign displaying electronic static copy (the "Proposed Sign"), which is currently operating without having first obtained the required Sign Permit. The Proposed Sign is located along the western property line at the property municipally known as 1275 Kennedy Road (the "Premises"), and is intended to direct attention to goods offered at "Life Style Flooring", located on the Premises. The variance was originally applied for by Chris Lissitsas of City Lite Signs (the "Applicant").

After conducting a review in accordance with the requirements of the Sign By-law, a decision was made to refuse the requested variances. At that time, it was determined that the Proposed Sign did not meet all nine established criteria as contained in the Sign By-law. Specifically, the Proposed Sign was found not to be compatible with the development of the Premises and surrounding area, that it would alter the character of the Premises or surrounding area, and that it would be contrary to the public interest.

The Premises is designated as an Employment (E) Sign District. The size of the Proposed Sign compared with what the Sign By-law permits in an E Sign District is out of scale with the Premises, and with similar ground signs in the surrounding area. Therefore, the Chief Building Official (the "CBO") has concerns that the Proposed Sign would alter the character of the Premises and surrounding area.

Currently, a large amount of various sign types exist in the area surrounding the Premises, and the CBO believes the addition of a large electronic ground sign on such a small frontage will further add to sign clutter. Because one of the Sign By-law objectives is to limit sign clutter, the Proposed Sign would appear to be contrary to the public interest.