Item - 2022.SB17.3

The Sign Variance Committee:

1.  Granted the requested variances to sections 694-25.C(2)(k),694-25.C(2)(f) and 694-25.C(2)(h), subject to four conditions, as required to allow for the issuance of a permit respecting the erection and display of the Proposed Sign at 271 Progress Avenue, as further described in Attachment 1 to the report (May 19, 2022) 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.

OUTFRONT Media Canada (the "Applicant") has been authorized by the owner of the property municipally known as 271 Progress Avenue Scarborough (the "Subject Premises") to apply for three variances, subject to four conditions, required to allow for a permit to be issued to construct a third party electronic ground sign, with two sign faces, each displaying electronic static copy ("The Proposed Sign").

The Proposed Sign will replace an existing third party ground sign with one sign face displaying electronic static sign copy ("The Existing Sign"), in the same location on the Subject Premises. The Existing Sign has one rectangular sign face, measuring 8.69 metres horizontally by 2.30 metres vertically, and faces in a north-westerly direction along Midland Avenue. The Proposed Sign will replace the Existing Sign and will contain two sign faces in a 'v-shaped' configuration, directed in a south-easterly and north-westerly direction along Midland Avenue.

The Subject Premises is designated as an Employment ("E") Sign District, which allows third party electronic ground signs. The Proposed Sign will have a maximum height of 9.98 metres from the grade, and will contain two rectangular sign faces measuring 8.69 metres horizontally by 2.30 metres vertically, with a sign face area of 19.99 square metres on each side. The Proposed Sign is described further in Attachment 1.

The Proposed Sign requires three variances to Chapter 694, each subject to four conditions, to allow the Chief Building Official ("CBO") to issue the sign permit. The requirements in Chapter 694 which have been requested to be varied, and the proposed requirements are summarized below:

1) § 694-25.C(2)(f) – An Employment "E" Sign District may contain a third party electronic ground sign, provided where it is located within 250 metres of an R, RA, CR, I or OS Sign District, the sign cannot face any premises in the R, RA, CR, I or OS Sign District, be varied to allow the Proposed Sign to face an Open Space (OS) sign district approximately 212 metres from its location, subject to Conditions 1, 2, 3 and 4 below;

2) § 694-25.C(2)(k) -  An Employment "E" Sign District may contain a third party electronic ground sign, provided where the sign has two faces, the sign faces shall be back-to-back, be varied to allow the Proposed Sign to have a 'v-shaped' configuration, subject to Conditions 1, 2, 3 and 4 below; and,

3) § 694-25.C(2)(h) -  An Employment "E" Sign District may contain a third party electronic ground sign, provided there shall be no more than one ground sign or electronic ground sign erected on the premises, be varied to allow the Proposed Sign to be erected on a premises containing one first party ground sign, subject to Conditions 1, 2, 3 and 4 below.

If granted, each of the three requested variances would be subject to the following conditions:

1) The Proposed Sign shall operate with the south-westerly facing sign face at a maximum level of illumination of 150 NITS during the period between sunset and sunrise.

2) The Proposed Sign shall have the two digital sign faces synched to have their content transitioned simultaneously.

3) The interior angle of the sign faces not exceed 45 degrees.

4)  Any and all existing third party signs located at 271 Progress Avenue shall be removed and all associated permits revoked prior to the construction the Proposed Sign.

Following a review of the Applicant's submissions and additional information provided by the Sign By-law Unit staff, the CBO has determined that there is a sufficient basis to conclude that the nine required criteria in §694-30A of the Sign By-law have been established with respect to the four variances, subject to the noted conditions as described further in Appendix 1 to this report.