Item - 2024.SB7.2

The Sign Variance Committee:

1. Granted the requested and required variance to Subsection 3.J.(2)(c), of Schedule C, Additional Special Sign District Regulations, of Chapter 694, Signs, General and the not requested but otherwise required variance to Subsection 3.J.(2)(g), of Schedule C, Additional Special Sign District Regulations, of Chapter 694, Signs, General for the implementation of the Signage Master Plan with respect to a defined area consisting of only the northeast portion of the roof of the building (commonly known as the Eaton Centre) on the premises, municipally known as 33 Dundas Street West (the "Subject Premises") and listed as 1 Dundas Street West in the applicable subsections of Schedule C, of Chapter 694, and consisting of one roof sign (the “Proposed Roof Sign”), as described in detail in Attachment 1 of the report (February 15, 2024) from the Manager, City Wide Priorities, 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 Signage Master Plan proposal (the “Proposed Signage Master Plan”). The Proposed Signage Master Plan addresses a defined area consisting of only a northeast portion of the roof of the building (commonly known as the Eaton Centre) on the premises, municipally known as 33 Dundas Street West (the "Subject Premises"). The Proposed Signage Master Plan contains one first party illuminated roof sign displaying static copy (the "Proposed Roof Sign"). The Proposed Roof Sign would have one sign face, displaying static copy, and would be identifying the Bank of Montreal (“BMO”) on the Subject Premises.

A Signage Master Plan was originally applied for by Zip Signs (the "Applicant") on behalf of Cadillac Fairview (the “Owner”). After conducting a review in accordance with the requirements of the Sign By-law, the Chief Building Official and Executive Director, Toronto Building (“CBO”) made a decision to refuse to grant the requested variance on the basis that the Proposed Signage Master Plan did not meet all nine of the mandatory criteria. Specifically, the CBO determined that the Applicant failed to establish that the Proposed Roof Sign described would be compatible with the development of the premises and surrounding area, would not alter the character of the premises or surrounding area and would not be contrary to the public interest. Subsequently, the Applicant filed an appeal of the decision of the CBO.

For the reasons listed above, the CBO, is of the opinion that the Sign Variance Committee should not grant the variance sought by the Applicant, to allow for the Proposed Roof Sign of the Proposed Signage Master Plan.