Item - 2019.SB2.1

The Sign Variance Committee:

1. Granted the requested variance, subject to the specified conditions, to §694-26I required for the Signage Master Plan consisting of the Proposed Sign at the premises municipally known as 164 Evans Avenue, as described in Attachment 1 to the report (March 25, 2019) from the Supervisor, Tax, Variance & Permits, Sign By-law Unit, Toronto Building.

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 one variance sought respecting a proposal for one non-illuminated first party roof sign displaying static copy (the "Proposed Sign"). The Proposed Sign is to be located at the north-easterly corner of the roof, cantilevered over a newer two-storey addition at an existing brewery located at 164 Evans Avenue.

The Proposed Sign has two sign faces in a "v-shaped" configuration, directed towards traffic on the Gardiner Expressway. Each of the two sign faces measure 4.35 metres horizontally by 5.1 metres vertically, and will function to identify the brewery located at the subject property. The height will not exceed 15.4 metres.

Cool Brewery, through their agent Bousfields Inc., was the initial applicant. After conducting a review of this application, a decision was made to refuse the requested variance. Following this refusal, an appeal was filed by Cool Brewery through their counsel, Aird & Berlis.

Staff have determined that the Proposed Sign does not meet all nine of the criteria established in §694-30A of the Sign By-law, which are required for a variance approval to be granted. A determination has been made that the Proposed Sign:

- Is not compatible with the development of the premises and surrounding area;
- Does alter the character of the premises or surrounding area; and,
- Is contrary to the public interest.

This Supplementary Report provides corrections to, and replaces in its entirety, the previously submitted report dated March 14, 2019. This report addresses an appeal concerning a Signage Master Plan for a portion of 164 Evans Avenue, specifically the roof of the existing building on the premises, consisting of one first party roof sign.  The Signage Master Plan consists of one variance, with conditions, with respect to one nonilluminated first party roof sign displaying static copy (the "Proposed Sign"). The Proposed Sign is to be located at the north-easterly corner of the roof, cantilevered beyond the perimeter of the roof of the newer two-storey addition at an existing brewery located at 164 Evans Avenue. 

The Proposed Sign has two sign faces in a "v-shaped" configuration, directed towards traffic on the Gardiner Expressway. Each of the two sign faces measure 4.35 metres horizontally by 5.1 metres vertically, and will function to identify the brewery located at the subject property. The height will not exceed 15.4 metres.

Cool Brewery, through their agent Bousfields Inc., was the initial applicant. After conducting a review of this application, a decision was made to refuse the requested variance. Following this refusal, an appeal was filed by Cool Brewery through their counsel, Aird & Berlis.

Staff have determined that the Proposed Sign, which comprises the proposed Signage

Master Plan, does not meet all nine of the criteria established in §694-30A of the Sign By-law, which are required for a variance approval to be granted. A determination has been made that the Proposed Sign:

- Is not compatible with the development of the premises and surrounding area; 

- Does alter the character of the premises or surrounding area; and
- Is contrary to the public interest.