Item - 2025.SB18.3
Tracking Status
- This item was considered by Sign Variance Committee on September 12, 2025 and was adopted without amendment.
SB18.3 - Application for Two Variances, Each Subject to Four Conditions, Respecting One Third Party Electronic Ground Sign - 1150-1176 Morningside Avenue
- Decision Type:
- ACTION
- Status:
- Adopted
- Ward:
- 25 - Scarborough - Rouge Park
Committee Decision
The Sign Variance Committee:
1. Granted the requested variances to sections 694-15.A and 694-24.A(14), each subject to four conditions, as required to allow for the issuance of a permit respecting the erection and display of the Proposed Sign, as further described in Attachment 1 to the report (August 2, 2025) from the Project Director, Business Transformation and Citywide Priorities, Toronto Building.
Decision Advice and Other Information
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.
Origin
Summary
JOLT Charge Inc (the "Applicant") has submitted a sign variance application requesting two variances required to allow the Chief Building Official ("CBO") to issue a sign permit to erect and display a double-faced third party electronic ground sign, displaying electronic static copy (the "Proposed Sign"), on the property municipally known as 1150-1176 Morningside Avenue (the "Subject Premises").
The Proposed Sign would have a maximum height of 2.65 meters from grade. It would feature two rectangular sign faces in a back-to-back configuration, oriented north and south, perpendicular to Morningside Avenue. Each sign face would measure 0.93 meters by 1.65 meters, resulting in a sign face area of 1.54 square meters. Further details of the Proposed Sign are provided in Attachment 1.
The Subject Premises is designated as Commercial Residential ("CR") Sign District, which allows signs belonging to the third party sign class however, does not expressly permit electronic ground signs. A variance is required to permit the erection and display of a sign type that is not permitted in the CR Sign District.
A second variance is also being sought to allow the Proposed Sign to be placed within an area governed by a site-specific area restriction mandating that no third party sign shall be erected or displayed within 400 metres of the Highway 401. The Proposed Sign would be situated approximately 150 metres of the northern limit of Highway 401.
Following a review of the Applicant's submissions and additional information provided by staff, the CBO has determined that there is a sufficient basis to conclude that the eight required criteria in §694-30A of the Sign By-law have been established with respect to the two variances, each subject to four conditions, as described further in Attachment 1 of this report.
Background Information
https://www.toronto.ca/legdocs/mmis/2025/sb/bgrd/backgroundfile-258065.pdf
Attachment 1 - Description of Signs, Requested Variances and Required Conditions
https://www.toronto.ca/legdocs/mmis/2025/sb/bgrd/backgroundfile-258068.pdf
Attachment 2 - Applicant's Submission Package
https://www.toronto.ca/legdocs/mmis/2025/sb/bgrd/backgroundfile-258070.pdf
Communications
https://www.toronto.ca/legdocs/mmis/2025/sb/comm/communicationfile-195988.pdf
(September 12, 2025) Presentation from Jocelyn Wigley and Justin Dempsey, Jolt Charge Inc. (SB.New)
https://www.toronto.ca/legdocs/mmis/2025/sb/comm/communicationfile-195978.pdf
Speakers
Justin Dempsey
Fernanda Patza, Policy Development Officer, City Wide Priorities, Toronto Building
Ian Duke, Solicitor, Legal Services
Motions
The Sign Variance Committee:
1. Grant the requested variances to sections 694-15.A and 694-24.A(14), each subject to four conditions, as required to allow for the issuance of a permit respecting the erection and display of the Proposed Sign, as further described in Attachment 1 to the report (August 2, 2025) from the Project Director, Business Transformation and Citywide Priorities, Toronto Building.