Report to/Rapport au :

Planning and Environment Committee

Comité de l'urbanisme et de l'environnement

and Council / et au Conseil

27 March 2008 / le 27 mars 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'intégration des activités

Building Code Services Branch/Direction des services du code du bâtiment

(613) 580-2424 x 41544, sandra.garnett

Orléans (1)

Ref N°: ACS2008-PTE-BLD-0016

SUBJECT:	SIGN BY-LAW MINOR VARIANCES - 110 place d'Orléans Drive

OBJET :	DÉROGATION MINEURE AU RÈGLEMENT SUR LES ENSEIGNES - 110, promenade place d'orleans

REPORT RECOMMENDATION

That Planning and Environment Committee recommend Council approve the application to vary Sections 76 and 86 of Sign By-law 2005-439 to permit three (3) as-built illuminated ground signs located at 110 Place d'Orléans Drive, whereby;

two of the signs are located within the required eight-metre setback to controlled traffic signals, and
one of the three signs is located within one metre of the property line and located within the required eight-metre setback to controlled traffic signals,

as detailed in Document 1, provided that the main address of the property be displayed on the north sign adjacent to HWY 174 pursuant to Section 83 of the By-law.

RECOMMANDATION DU RAPPORT

Que le Comité de l'urbanisme et de l'environnement recommande au Conseil d'approuver la demande de modification des articles 76 et 86 du Règlement municipal 2005-439 sur les enseignes, afin de permettre la présence de trois (3) enseignes au sol lumineuses telles que construites et situées au 110, promenade Place d'Orléans, sachant que :

deux des enseignes se trouvent à l'intérieur de la marge de reculement exigée depuis un feu de circulation, qui est de huit mètres, et que
l'une des trois enseignes se trouve à moins d'un mètre de la limite de propriété et dans à l'intérieur de la marge de reculement exigée depuis un feu de circulation, qui est de huit mètres,

tel qu'exposé en détail dans le Document 1, sous réserve que l'adresse principale de la propriété soit affichée sur l'enseigne nord, adjacente à l'autoroute 174, conformément aux dispositions de l'article 83 du Règlement municipal.

BACKGROUND

The subject property is the Place d'Orléans Mall located north of St. Joseph Boulevard (see Document 2). Zoning for this site is a higher intensity commercial zone, which is rated as District 4 in the Sign By-law. Since this is a shopping centre, large ground signs are permitted on site. Surrounding the mall are other commercial activities such as retail, service, restaurant and office uses. The proposed variances are requested to legalize the as-built conditions for ground signage at the mall. All three signs are within eight metres of a traffic control signals and the north sign near Champlain Avenue requires relief to be within one metres of the property line.

DISCUSSION

These signs have been recently altered or reconstructed to display a new identification format for the shopping centre complex. The setback distance from the sign to traffic devices includes the walk signals on the intersection post and the traffic signal heads. The eight-metre setback is intended to prevent possible distractions between the intersection lights and any adjacent signage. The one metre setback provision to a lot line allows for a separation from the sign to the property line for better control and maintenance of the City road allowance. Finally, the variance request for the north sign, to be near the front property line, is acceptable in this case.

To assist with way finding, the By-law requires that the owner of a ground sign ensure that at least one ground sign on the premises clearly displays the civic number in accordance with the City of Ottawa Municipal Addressing By-law and, if possible, the common property name. None of the three existing signs for this mall displays the municipal address. To promote ease of finding for the public and emergency response teams, the Department recommends that the main pylon sign located near HWY 174 (see Document 5) display the address of the mall as a condition of approval for the minor variances mentioned in this report.

A review of this application has determined that the existing signs have colours and images that do not appear to negatively impact nearby traffic control signals. The scale and location of the signs have minimal impact upon abutting intersections and traffic lights. Feedback from the standard technical circulation to the public and technical officials in the Department of Public Works and Services did not generate any opposition to the variance requests.

The Department is satisfied the application is in keeping with the intent of the Sign By-law and approval of the requested variances is recommended.

CONSULTATION

In response to the standard circulation to property owners, occupants, business and community groups, and the Ward Councillor, no comments in opposition to the application were received.

FINANCIAL IMPLICATIONS

N/A

SUPPORTING DOCUMENTATION

Document 1 Details of Requested Variances

Document 2 Location Plan

Document 3 Sign A Photos

Document 4 Sign B Photo

Document 5 Sign C Photos

DISPOSITION

City Clerk's Branch to notify the applicant/agent, Ray Neon Signs Inc., on behalf of Oxford Properties, 2870 Sheffield Road, Ottawa, ON, K1B 3V9 and Councillor Monette of Council's decision. Building Code Services will process the sign permit following Council approval in accordance with Sign By-law 2005-439.

DETAILS OF REQUESTED SIGN VARIANCES DOCUMENT 1

Sign A

Located at the southeast corner of Place d’Orleans and St. Joseph (Document 3)

To allow and legalize the existing pylon ground sign to be within 7.5 metres of a traffic control signal, instead of the required minimum distance of eight metres.

Sign B

Located at the southwest corner of Place d’Orleans and St. Joseph (Document 4)

To allow and legalize the existing pylon ground sign to be within five metres of a traffic control signal, instead of the required minimum distance of eight metres.

Sign C

Located at the north portion of the mall near the main entrance and the bridge that passes over HWY 174 to Champlain Street (Document 5).

To allow and legalize the existing pylon ground sign to be within two metres of a traffic control signal, instead of the required minimum distance of eight metres.

To allow the same sign to be near or at the front property line abutting Place d’Orleans Drive, instead of the minimum distance required of one metre.

LOCATION PLAN DOCUMENT 2