Item - 2026.SB24.2
Tracking Status
- This item was considered by Sign Variance Committee on June 19, 2026 and was adopted with amendments.
SB24.2 - Application for Five Variances, Each Subject to Three Conditions, Respecting One Third Party Electronic Ground Sign - 825 Milner Avenue
- Decision Type:
- ACTION
- Status:
- Amended
- Ward:
- 25 - Scarborough - Rouge Park
Committee Decision
The Sign Variance Committee:
1. Refused the requested variances to sections 694- 24.A (14), 694-25.C (2)(c), 694- 25.C(2)(e), 694-25.C each subject to three conditions, as further described in revised Attachment 1 to the report (June 8, 2026) from the Project Director, Business Transformation, Toronto Building on behalf of the Chief Building Official and Executive Director, Toronto Building and granted the following variances to sections 694- 24.A (14), 694-25.C (2)(c), 694- 25.C(2)(e), 694-25.C(2)(f) and 694-25.C(2)(g)[1], each subject to three conditions, as further described in revised Attachment 1 to the report (June 8, 2026) as required to allow for the issuance of a permit respecting the erection and display of the Proposed Sign at the property municipally known as 825 Milner Avenue, but with the following modification, that each variance is subject to three conditions, Conditions 1 and 3 are both as described in revised Attachment 1 to the report (June 8, 2026) and Condition 2 is now as described as follows:
Condition 2: That adequate screening, in the opinion of the Chief Building Official, shall exist between the Proposed Sign and the existing third party sign located to the north of the Premises.
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
Pattison Outdoor Advertising (the "Applicant") has applied for five variances required to allow the Chief Building Official ("CBO") to issue a sign permit to erect and display a single-faced third party electronic ground sign, displaying electronic static copy (the "Proposed Sign"), on the premises municipally known as 825 Milner Avenue, in Ward 25 – Scarborough Rouge Park (the "Subject Premises").
The Proposed Sign would have a maximum height of 10.0 metres and would contain one rectangular sign face measuring 5.76 metres by 2.88 metres, with sign face area of 16.59 square metres. The Proposed Sign is described further in Attachment 1.
The Subject Premises is designated as Employment ("E") sign district, which allows for third party electronic ground signs. However, variances are necessary due to the Proposed Sign's location, its proximity to sensitive sign districts and its distance from an existing third party sign.
The Sign By-law contains criteria to be used in evaluating variance applications for Proposed Signs. Specifically, §694-30A states that an application for variance may only be granted where it is established that the Proposed Sign meet each of the eight established criteria. The Sign Variance Committee is required to conduct an evaluation and determine whether the party seeking the proposed variances meets all eight of the mandatory criteria, on the basis of the information presented by the parties before the SVC.
Following a review of the Applicant's submissions and additional City staff research, the CBO has determined that, in the opinion of the CBO, there is sufficient basis to conclude that the eight required criteria in §694-30A of the Sign By-law have been established with respect to the five variances, each subject to three conditions, as described further in Attachment 1 to this report.
Background Information
https://www.toronto.ca/legdocs/mmis/2026/sb/bgrd/backgroundfile-287865.pdf
Revised Attachment 1 - Description of the Proposed Sign, Required Variances and Conditions
https://www.toronto.ca/legdocs/mmis/2026/sb/bgrd/backgroundfile-288050.pdf
Attachment 1 - Description of the Proposed Sign, Required Variances and Conditions
https://www.toronto.ca/legdocs/mmis/2026/sb/bgrd/backgroundfile-287866.pdf
Attachment 2 - Applicant's Submission Package
https://www.toronto.ca/legdocs/mmis/2026/sb/bgrd/backgroundfile-287867.pdf
Communications
https://www.toronto.ca/legdocs/mmis/2026/sb/comm/communicationfile-215308.pdf
(June 19, 2026) Presentation from Felicity Scherk, Policy and Research Consultant, Toronto Building (SB.New)
https://www.toronto.ca/legdocs/mmis/2026/sb/comm/communicationfile-214180.pdf
Speakers
Felicity Sheihk, Toronto Building
Ted Van Vliet, Project Director Business Transformation
Motions
At 10:25 a.m. - That the Sign Variance Committee recess to meet in closed session to consider this item and receive information from the City Solicitor that is subject to solicitor-client privilege.
That the Sign Variance Committee:
1. Refuse the requested variances to sections 694- 24.A (14), 694-25.C (2)(c), 694- 25.C(2)(e), 694-25.C each subject to three conditions, as further described in revised Attachment 1 to the report (June 8, 2026) from the Project Director, Business Transformation, Toronto Building on behalf of the Chief Building Official and Executive Director, Toronto Building and grant the following variances to sections 694- 24.A (14), 694-25.C (2)(c), 694- 25.C(2)(e), 694-25.C(2)(f) and 694-25.C(2)(g)[1], each subject to three conditions, as further described in revised Attachment 1 to the report as required to allow for the issuance of a permit respecting the erection and display of the Proposed Sign at the property municipally known as 825 Milner Avenue, but with the following modification, that each variance is subject to three conditions, Conditions 1 and 3 are both as described in revised Attachment 1 to the report (June 8, 2026) and Condition 2 is now as described as follows:
Condition 2: That adequate screening, in the opinion of the Chief Building Official, shall exist between the Proposed Sign and the existing third party sign located to the north of the Premises.