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13. SIGN
MINOR VARIANCE - 1110 ST LAURENT BOULEVARD DÉROGATION MINEURE AU RÈGLEMENT
SUR LES ENSEIGNES - 1110, BOULEVARD |
Committee recommendation
That Council approve the application to permit a roof sign and animation of a roof sign as detailed in Documents 2 and 3 at 1110 St. Laurent Boulevard.
Recommandation du Comité
Que le
Conseil approuve la demande
visant à permettre l'installation d'une enseigne lumineuse animée sur le toit
du 1110, boulevard St-Laurent, comme il est expliqué dans les documents 2 et 3.
Documentation
1.
Deputy
City Manager's report Planning, Transit
and the Environment dated 29 October 2007 (ACS2007-PTE-BLD-0015).
Report
to/Rapport au :
Planning and Environment Committee
Comité de l'urbanisme et de l'environnement
and Council / et au Conseil
29 October 2007 / le 29 octobre 2007
Submitted by/Soumis par : Nancy Schepers, Deputy City Manager/
Directrice municipale adjointe,
Planning Transit and the Environment/
Urbanisme, Transport en commun et Environment
Contact
Person/Personne ressource : Sandra Garnett, Manager/Gestionnaire, Business
Integration Services/Intégration juridique et services, Building Code
Services/Direction des services du code du bâtiment.
(613) 580-2424 x41544.
Sandra.Garnett@ottawa.ca
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SUBJECT: |
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OBJET : |
DÉROGATION
MINEURE AU RÈGLEMENT SUR LES ENSEIGNES - 1110, boulevard st-laurent |
REPORT RECOMMENDATION
That the Planning and Environment Committee recommend Council approve the application to permit a roof sign and animation of a roof sign as detailed in Documents 2 and 3 at 1110 St. Laurent Boulevard.
RECOMMANDATION DU
RAPPORT
Que le Comité de l'urbanisme et de
l'environnement recommande au Conseil d'approuver la demande visant à permettre
l'installation d'une enseigne lumineuse animée sur le toit du 1110, boulevard St-Laurent,
comme il est expliqué dans les documents 2 et 3.
BACKGROUND
The agent, Bert Signs Inc., for the owner of the property has applied for relief from Section 51(a) of By-law 2005-439, to permit an illuminated rotating Mercedes-Benz logo sign, measuring 2.44 meters in diameter to be installed on the roof of the building over the main entrance on the subject property (reference Documents 1, 2 and 3).
The By-law currently prohibits roof signs city-wide. With the enactment of the harmonized Sign By-law in 2005, the Department did not accept minor variance applications for relief from the By-law for elements that were prohibited. Prohibited elements were not considered "minor" and therefore the Department was of the opinion that a By-law amendment would be required. Furthermore, the advice of Legal Services Branch, at that time, was that by-law amendments were restricted to city-wide applications.
Upon receipt of this and other requests for relief from By-law restrictions, the Department undertook a survey of Ontario municipalities to confirm their interpretation of the legislation. Based on that survey and consultation with Legal Services Branch, with the broader scope of the municipal authority through Bill 130, the Department now supports a more flexible interpretation of what qualifies for consideration under the sign minor variance application process. Going forward, the Department will now process those site-specific requests for relief, where a sign or a component part of a sign is otherwise prohibited, as a sign minor variance.
DISCUSSION
The current provisions of the By-law that prohibit roof signs and animation were introduced in response to the negative impact roof mounted signs impose on the visual environs, a prohibition that is common to most Ontario municipalities. Once a sign permit has been issued, the legislation protects the sign from any subsequent restrictions in future By-laws. For example, the City of Toronto has no recourse to address public concern with the billboards and temporary signs installed on rooftops adjacent to the Gardiner Expressway and Lakeshore Boulevard.
In Ottawa, the prohibition of roof signs dates back to the first Sign By-law enacted in 1962. Subsequent by-laws have continued this restriction, with the result helping to establish the current views and vistas in the Nation's Capital and the absence of roof-mounted signs. Both the National Capital Commission and the Ministry of Transportation, with jurisdiction over signs adjacent to ceremonial routes and Provincial Highways, prohibit roof signs. Sign regulations avoid the competitive tendency within the business sector toward excessive signage, by permitting identification and advertising signs within guidelines that strive to serve the needs of businesses while respecting land uses and the design guidelines that protect public standards.
In the application for the Mercedes Benz dealership located on West Hunt Club Road, the architect indicated that the design and site positioning of the tower was intended to receive the Star logo as a focal element. Further, that the spinning star is a key component of the Mercedes Benz international facility identification program.
This particular sign is considered reasonable in scale and appearance, and will not have a significant negative impact on the area. As such, it is considered in keeping with the general intent and purpose of the By-law and approval is recommended.
CONSULTATION
Residents and businesses within 60 meters, community associations and the Ward Councillor were notified. One response in support of the application was received. No specific comments were provided.
FINANCIAL IMPLICATIONS
SUPPORTING DOCUMENTATION
Document 2 - Elevation Drawings
Document 3 - Sign Detail
DISPOSITION
City Clerk's Branch, Council and Committee Services to notify the agent/applicant, Bert Signs Inc., 372 Limoges Road, Limoges, ON, P.O. Box 519, K0A 2M0; the property owner, Ogilvy Realty Ltd., 1475 Carling Avenue, Ottawa, ON, K1Y 7L9; and Ward Councillor Jacques Legendre of City Council's decision.
If approved, Legal Services Branch to draft and forward an implementing by-law to City Council for passage.
LOCATION PLAN DOCUMENT 1
ELEVATION DRAWING (EAST ELEVATION) DOCUMENT 2
ELEVATION DRAWING
(SOUTH ELEVATION)
SIGN DETAIL DOCUMENT 3
