Report to/Rapport au :
Planning and Environment Committee
Comité de l'urbanisme et de l'aménagement
and Council / et au Conseil
28 June 2005 / le 28 juin 2005
Submitted by/Soumis par : Ned Lathrop, Deputy City Manager/Directeur
municipal
adjoint,
Planning and Growth Management/Urbanisme et Gestion de la Croissance
Contact Person/Personne
ressource : Sandra Garnett, Manager / Gestionnaire
Legal and
Service Integration / Services juridique et integration des services
Building Services/Direction des services 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 – 47, rue clarence |
REPORT RECOMMENDATIONS
That
the Planning and Environment Committee recommend Council:
1. refuse a Minor Variance to the Signs By-law to allow a requested wall sign to exceed the height of the second storey contrary to the location provisions of the by-law and to allow a signage area of 21.2 square metres;
2. approve a Minor Variance to the Signs By-law to allow a recommended wall sign to exceed the height of the second storey contrary to the location provisions of the by-law and to allow a signage area of 16.3 square metres, provided it does not exceed the height of the third storey windows.
RECOMMANDATIONS DU RAPPORT
Que le Comité de l’urbanisme et de l’environnement recommande au Conseil :
1. de refuser une dérogation mineure au Règlement sur les enseignes visant à permettre une enseigne murale dépassant le deuxième étage contraire aux clauses du Règlement concernant l’emplacement et une surface de signalisation de 21,2 mètres carrés.
2. d’approuver une dérogation mineure au Règlement sur les enseignes visant à permettre une enseigne murale dépassant le deuxième étage contraire aux clauses du Règlement concernant l’emplacement et une surface de signalisation de 16,3 mètres carrés, pourvu que l’enseigne ne dépasse pas les fenêtres du troisième étage.
BACKGROUND
The site is located on the north west corner of Clarence and Parent known as the Times Square complex in the By Ward Market (see document 1). Relief from the by-law is requested to allow a ground floor restaurant use to install a vertical format sign that would exceed the third storey as illustrated in Documents 2 and 3. The sign is proposed to extend vertically below the clock tower portion of the building. The by-law specifies that wall signage may not be located above the second storey of a commercial building. Adjacent uses are primarily commercial with residential uses located on Murray Street and some limited residential above commercial uses.
The former Ottawa By-law states that wall signage based on coverage shall not exceed an area of 15.8 square metres. The new harmonized Sign By-law will allow a maximum of wall signage of 13.3 square metres in this case. As the sign regulations are in transition, it is necessary to reference both by-law regulations in this application.
DISCUSSION
The Department has reviewed the request and is of the opinion that, in this specific case, the proposed sign does not satisfy the intent and purpose of the by-law. There is a concern that the height and location of the sign, extending vertically three storeys on the building, is excessive when compared to the design of existing signage on this building and the character of other signage in the By Ward Market. It is also not in keeping with the heritage designs and typical signage arrangements in this area. The requested signage would be a substantial increase to the by-law, as most of the wall signage for ground floor uses is limited to the lower level with a smaller sign band.
Further to discussions with the applicant and staff, a consensus was reached for a smaller scaled, more conforming sign that would be limited to the second and third storeys of the building. Various options were reviewed with the idea that the vertical signage could enhance the visibility of the restaurant without compromising the established horizontal sign uniformity and existing architectural features of the building and By Ward district. There also appears to be a trend in this area for banner or projecting type wall signage to promote businesses.
The recommended sign would be similar to the original sign but lined up between the second and third storeys so as to not overpower the design of the building. This revised sign would reduce the scale of signage from approximately 21 sq m to 16 sq m, which would only be a minor increase to the permitted area. The sign is not recommended any higher than the third floor of the building to line up with the windows and to balance other signage such as the Time Square logo.
The Department, therefore recommends refusal of the requested minor variance as found in Recommendation 1. However, based on further review, the recommended variance as found in Recommendation 2, is suggested as the revised signage would maintain the general purpose and intent of the both the former Ottawa Signs By-law and the new harmonized Sign By-law.
CONSULTATION
In response to the standard early notification to community and business groups, two respondents were in favour and four were against the application. There were concerns over scale and that the signs should reflect the by-law. The Ward Councillor does not support the application.
Ward Councillor's Comments
"A sign of 15.8 square metres is big enough. We will be littered with big signs everywhere."
FINANCIAL IMPLICATIONS
SUPPORTING DOCUMENTATION
Document 2 Elevation of Proposed Signage (Recommendation 1)
Document 3 Image of
Signage (proposed)
DISPOSITION
Corporate Services Department, Secretariat Services Branch to notify the applicant, House of Canvas, Attention: John Conroy, 3 Cleopatra Drive, Nepean, ON, K2G 3M9; the owner, Morguard Investments Ltd., 350 Sparks Street, Ottawa, ON, K1R 7S8; the tenant, Empire Grill, 47 Clarence Street, Ottawa, ON, K1N 9K1 and Ward Councillor Georges Bédard of City Council's decision.
