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14. SIGN
BY-LAW MINOR VARIANCE - 2262 PRINCE OF WALES DRIVE DÉROGATION
MINEURE AU RÈGLEMENT SUR LES ENSEIGNES – 2262, PROMENADE PRINCE OF WALES |
Committee recommendation
That
Council approve the application to vary Sign By-law 2005-439, to permit a non-illuminated
identification ground sign situated at 2262 Prince of Wales Drive to be
installed with an area of 1.28 square metres, instead of the permitted 0.5
square metres, as shown on Document 2.
Recommandation du Comité
Que le Conseil approuve une demande
de dérogation au Règlement 2005-439 sur les enseignes visant à permettre
l’installation, au 2262, promenade Prince of Wales, d’un panneau
d’identification au sol non éclairé ayant une superficie de 1,28 mètre carré,
alors que la superficie permise est de 0,5 mètre carré, comme l’illustre le
document 2.
Documentation
1. Deputy City Manager,
Planning, Transit and the Environment report dated 14 July 2008 (ACS2008-PTE-BLD-0026).
Report to/Rapport au :
Planning and
Environment Committee
Comité de l'urbanisme et de l'environnement
and Council / et au Conseil
14 July 2008 / le 14 juillet 2008
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/Gestionnaire,
Business Integration Services/Services d'integration des activities
Building
Code Services Branch/Direction des services du code du bâtiment
(613)
580-2424 x 41544, sandra.garnett@ottawa.ca
SUBJECT:
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OBJET :
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DÉROGATION MINEURE AU RÈGLEMENT SUR LES ENSEIGNES – 2262, PROMENADE PRINCE OF WALES |
REPORT
RECOMMENDATION
That Planning and Environment Committee recommend Council approve the application to vary Sign By-law 2005-439, to permit a non-illuminated identification ground sign situated at 2262 Prince of Wales Drive to be installed with an area of 1.28 square metres, instead of the permitted 0.5 square metres, as shown on Document 2.
RECOMMANDATION DU RAPPORT
Que le Comité de l’urbanisme et de
l’environnement recommande au Conseil d’approuver une demande de dérogation au
Règlement 2005-439 sur les enseignes visant à permettre l’installation, au
2262, promenade Prince of Wales, d’un panneau d’identification au sol non
éclairé ayant une superficie de 1,28 mètre carré, alors que la superficie
permise est de 0,5 mètre carré, comme l’illustre le document 2.
BACKGROUND
The owner of the property initially applied for a minor variance to the sign by-law to permit an externally illuminated ground sign that exceeds the area limits for a home based business. Following discussions on the intent of the by-law, the applicant has agreed not to illuminate the sign and now requests a variance to the maximum area provision. The property is located on a residentially zoned lot that permits a home based business (see Document 1). The owner conducts a business as a chiropractor. Adjacent uses are residential on the west side of Prince of Wales, commercial uses to the northwest and residential uses to the southwest. The subject site is surrounded by mature landscaping.
DISCUSSION
The applicant has requested a larger sign than permitted to better identify his business. This property is located adjacent to a busy roadway and the dwelling is situated a substantial distance away from Prince of Wales Drive. As such, a wall sign would not be effective in this case. Clients have informed the owner of the business that the office is difficult to find because of the speed and volume of traffic and the mature landscaping that surrounds the property.
The intent of the by-law for a home based business is to allow a small non-illuminated ground sign where the house is setback at least 30 metres from the property line. Most home based business uses are established in primarily residential areas. In this case, the subject property is located in a mixed use area on a major collector roadway.
The cedar hedges and tall trees on the site would provide a visual buffer for adjacent residential properties located on the west side of the roadway. Residential uses to the east have a substantial setback to the proposed sign. Since the sign will not be illuminated, the impact will be reduced making the sign appropriate in this case. Allowing a larger sign will assist in the visibility issues for the use, while the elimination of the illumination will assist in reducing concerns raised by the community.
The Department supports the area variance for this sign, provided the sign is not illuminated. In this case, the modified sign is in keeping with the intent of the Sign By-law and approval is recommended.
CONSULTATION
In response to the standard circulation to property owners, business and community groups and the Ward Councillor, four comments in support of the application and ten opposed to the application were received. The Ward Councillor has no objection to the application.
Comments
received are as follows:
- This is a residential area under pressure from nearby creeping commercialism - light pollution and sign pollution. We should be doing everything to maintain the character and integrity of the neighbourhood.
- The sign will be a general eyesore to the community.
- This chiropractor/massage therapy clinic is entitled to some type of sign identifying but the type and size requested is more a marketing sign.
- By-laws have been established for a reason and I believe should be withheld.
- We see no compelling reason why the applicant should be granted permission to erect a ground sign that is over 2.5 times the permitted size. Our reasons for opposing granting permission relate to traffic safety, aesthetics and light pollution.
- No point in objecting to this sign when the roadway is not entirely residential, there are other commercial businesses nearby and the law permits such a profession being practiced in a private home. My only reservation is the establishment of a precedent that can be used to grant similar permits in other more sensitive areas.
Response
to Comments
Concerns with light spill over to adjacent uses have been addressed, as the applicant has agreed to eliminate the illumination component of the sign. Regarding the requested increase in sign area, the sign would be appropriate given the mixed-use character of this neighbourhood, the mature landscaping that provides a buffer to nearby uses and the fact that the sign will abut a major collector roadway.
FINANCIAL IMPLICATIONS
SUPPORTING DOCUMENTATION
Document 2 Elevation Drawing
DISPOSITION
City Clerk's Branch to notify the applicant, Dr. Karlo Pavich, 2262 Prince of Wales Drive, Ottawa, ON, K2E 7A1 and the local Ward Councillor of Council's decision. Building Code Services will process the sign permit resulting from the Council direction in accordance with Sign By-law 2005-439.
LOCATION MAP DOCUMENT
1
ELEVATION DRAWING DOCUMENT
2
