13. SIGN MINOR VARIANCE - 118 SPARKS
STREET DÉROGATION
MINEURE AU RÈGLEMENT SUR LES ENSEIGNES - 118, RUE SPARKS |
Committee recommendation
That Council approve a minor variance to Section 129(1) of Sign By-law
2005-439 to permit two logo signs on the same wall in the top storey on the
east and west elevations of the building located at 118 Sparks Street.
Recommandation du Comité
Que le Conseil approuve une dérogation mineure au paragraphe 129(1) du
Règlement municipal 2005-439 sur les enseignes, afin de permettre
l'installation de deux enseignes de type « logo » sur le même mur, plus
précisément à l'étage supérieur des élévations est et ouest de l'immeuble situé
au 118, rue Sparks.
Documentation
1.
Deputy
City Manager's report Planning,
Transit and the Environment dated
27 February 2007 (ACS2007-PTE-BLD-0009).
Report
to/Rapport au :
Planning and Environment Committee
Comité de l'urbanisme et de
l'environnement
and Council / et au Conseil
27 February 2007 / le 27 février 2007
Submitted by/Soumis par : Nancy Schepers, Deputy City Manager/
Directrice municipale adjointe
Planning, Transit and the
Environment/Urbanisme, Transport en commun et Environnement
Contact
Person/Personne ressource : Sandra Garnett, Manager, Legal and Service
Integration
Building Services Branch/Direction des
services du bâtiment
(613) 580-2424 x 41544,
Sandra.Garnett@ottawa.ca
SUBJECT: |
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OBJET : |
DÉROGATION
MINEURE AU RÈGLEMENT SUR LES ENSEIGNES - 118, rue sparks |
REPORT RECOMMENDATION
That the Planning and Environment Committee recommend Council approve a minor variance to Section 129(1) of Sign By-law 2005-439 to permit two logo signs on the same wall in the top storey on the east and west elevations of the building located at 118 Sparks Street.
RECOMMANDATION DU
RAPPORT
Que le Comité de l'urbanisme et de
l'environnement recommande au Conseil d'approuver une dérogation mineure au
paragraphe 129(1) du Règlement municipal 2005-439 sur les enseignes, afin de
permettre l'installation de deux enseignes de type « logo » sur le même mur,
plus précisément à l'étage supérieur des élévations est et ouest de l'immeuble
situé au 118, rue Sparks.
BACKGROUND
DayNite Signs on behalf of Scotiabank is applying for relief from the location restrictions of the Sign By-law to facilitate replacement of four existing Scotiabank logo signs located in the top storey of the subject building with new logo signs (see Document 1).
The existing signs are located two on the east and two on the west elevations (see Document 2 [signs 3, 4, 5 and 6]). Section 129(1) of the By-law restricts to one the number of signs permitted on each building face. The proposed replacement signs are identical in design, but slightly larger in area at 7.52 square metres than the existing signs are 5.95 square metres
DISCUSSION
The north and south faces of the building are located on the front property line adjacent to Sparks Street and Queen Street. The applicant is concerned that signs mounted in the top storey on these building faces would not be clearly visible to approaching pedestrians and motorists on Queen Street and pedestrians on Sparks Street. Further, the location of the existing windows on these walls limit signage options. To increase visibility, the applicant is requesting relief from the By-law to permit the installation of two signs on both the east and west elevations adjacent to the north and south ends of the building.
To avoid sign proliferation, the By-law restricts the scale of signs to an area equal to 15 per cent of the top storey and only one sign per elevation. Based on the area of the top storey, the By-law would permit a sign on the east and west elevations of 41.6 square metres and on the north and south elevations of 13.9 square metres.
The subject building is five stories in height and signs located on the north and south elevations would serve little purpose facing buildings on the opposite side of the street. The Department surmises that the existing signs were installed in the locations proposed for the new signs for the same rationale provided above. In terms of visibility, given the location of adjacent buildings, it is unlikely two signs on the same elevation would be visible at the same time from grade.
The Department is satisfied the request is reasonable and in keeping with the intent of the By law.
CONSULTATION
In response to the standard circulation to area businesses within 30 metres, the Ward Councillor and local business/community groups, four responses were received. Three responses were in support of the application but no specific comments were provided. The National Capital Commission (NCC) indicated: "If the signs are exactly the same scale, location and appearance, and are simply being replaced because of repair or maintenance or more efficient technology, then the NCC does not have any comment."
Departmental Comment:
The proposed signs are to replace the existing aging signs. The design of the new signs is identical to the existing signs. The area of each sign is slightly larger that the existing signs, however, it is not anticipated that the increased area from grade will be visually perceptible. Finally, in this case, given the latitude of the By-law the increase is considered acceptable.
FINANCIAL IMPLICATIONS
SUPPORTING DOCUMENTATION
Document 1 Elevation Photographs
Document
2 Location Plan
DISPOSITION
Corporate Services Department, Secretariat Services Branch to notify the applicant, DayNite Signs, 6701 Rexwood Rd., Mississauga On L4V 1M7 of Council's decision.
Building Services Branch will process sign permits resulting from the Council direction in accordance with Sign By-law 2005-439.
LOCATION PLAN DOCUMENT 2