Item - 2019.SB4.5

The Sign Variance Committee:

1.  Granted the two requested variances to subsections 694-21(E)(4)(b) and 694-21(E)(4)(d), each subject to both of the specified conditions, with respect to the Proposed Sign at the premises municipally known as 185 The West Mall, as described in greater detail in Attachment 1 of the supplementary report (June 24, 2019) from the Manager, 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 two variances sought respecting one illuminated first party wall sign displaying static copy (the Proposed Sign). During the appeal process, GTA Office West Inc. (the Appellant) modified its proposal to include that each of the two requested variances are subject to two conditions: that the Proposed Sign be aligned with an existing sign currently displaying sign copy related to "Pomerleau" (the Pomerleau sign), along the east elevation, and an existing wall sign at the upper-most storey of south elevation of the building, currently displaying sign copy related to "West Metro" (the West Metro sign), be removed prior to the issuance of any sign permit for the Proposed Sign.

The Proposed Sign is to be located on the east elevation of the mechanical penthouse of an existing 15-storey building located at 185 The West Mall (the Subject Premises). It is to contain one sign face, directed towards Highway 427, and will function to identify a business located at the Subject Premises. The sign face shall consist of individual channel letters displaying "CDW", and an associated individual "loop" surrounding of the letters, with a total sign face area of 35 square metres. In support of the original application, the Appellant filed materials included in Attachment #2 of this report.

After conducting a review of the original application, a decision was made by the Chief Building Official (the CBO) to refuse the requested variances required for the Proposed Sign. Following this refusal, an appeal was filed by the Appellant. The Appellant has filed materials in support of the modified proposal, found in Attachment #3 of this report.

Following a review of all the materials submitted, the CBO has determined that the Appellant has provided sufficient information to establish that, with the imposition of the proposed conditions, the Proposed Sign meets all nine of the criteria which are required for a variance approval to be granted.

As such, the CBO supports the Sign Variance Committee granting the two requested variances, subject to the proposed conditions, to allow for a sign permit to be issued for the Proposed Sign.