Report
to/Rapport au :
Planning and Environment Committee
Comité de l'urbanisme et de
l'environnement
and Council / et au Conseil
18 April 2006 / le 18 avril 2006
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, Legal & Service Integration
Building Services and Chief Building
Official/Direction des services du bâtiment et Chef du service du bâtiment
(613) 580-2424 x 41544,
sandra.garnett@ottawa.ca
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SUBJECT: |
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OBJET : |
DÉROGATION
MINEURE AU RÈGLEMENT MUNICIPAL SUR LES ENSEIGNES - 1265, CHEMIN WALKLEY |
REPORT RECOMMENDATION
That the Planning and Environment
Committee recommend Council approve a requested Minor Variance to the Sign
By-law to allow one internally illuminated ground sign on the Walkley Road
frontage, in excess of by-law regulations, with a message centre area of 3.0
square metres and with a height of 5.5 metres.
RECOMMANDATION DU RAPPORT
Que le Comité de l'urbanisme et de l'environnement
recommande au Conseil d'approuver une dérogation mineure qui a été demandée au
Règlement municipal sur les enseignes afin de permettre une enseigne au sol
éclairée de l'intérieur donnant sur la façade du chemin Walkley dont les
dimensions sont supérieures à celles prévues par le Règlement, car la
superficie de la partie réservée au message est de 3.0 mètres carrés alors que
la hauteur de l'enseigne est de 5,5 mètres.
BACKGROUND
This variance application is being pursued for the Jim Durrell Recreation Centre with the City of Ottawa. The property is located on Walkley Road just east of Bank Street (see Document 1). Adjacent uses are institutional to the north and east, with adjacent residential uses located to the west and south of the site. This subject parcel is zoned institutional in the Zoning By-law and listed as a District 3 use in the Sign By-law.
The proposed sign will replace an existing ground sign with a similar scaled ground sign, which will incorporate an enhanced message board for site functions. Detailed elevations of the existing sign and the proposed sign are provided in Documents 2 and 3.
Sign
Variance Requested
The new ground exceeds the By-law provisions for height, illumination and the maximum allowable area for a message centre. This internally illuminated sign will have a height of 5.5 metres, an identification area of 4.6 square metres, with an additional message centre area of 3.0 square metres. The sign will be installed in the same location as the current sign, being east of the main driveway entrance on Walkley Road.
The Permanent Signs on Private Property By-law allows a ground sign for this site with a maximum height of 3.0 metres, a maximum sign face area of 7.0 square metres, and with an additional permitted message centre area of 1.6 square metres, provided the sign has external illumination and is located at least 30.0 metres away from an adjacent residential use in a residential zone.
DISCUSSION
The Department recommends approval, as the new sign will be similar to the existing ground sign in area, illumination and height. It was approved as an amendment to the Sign By-law by the former City of Ottawa Council. Under the By-law regulations, a new sign requires a permit when the former sign is demolished. The proposed sign will use a more traditional method of message centre rather than the existing flip-disc method, which should be less of a distraction to adjacent uses. It is important to note that there is a need to provide identification and information to the public via the proposed message centre, for this busy complex with two arenas and a community hall.
The surrounding area on Walkley Road, a busy collector, has a variety of mixed uses combined with institutional and residential uses. Most of the homes on the south side of Walkley Road face the side street and therefore, the impact of the proposed sign is limited as the side wall of the buildings face Walkley Road. With the sign located at least 30m from residential units, this location is appropriate for a larger sign identifying this particular facility.
Although the sign uses internal illumination, the upper portion of the sign would have reversed illumination with the lighting only projecting through the graphics of an opaque background. The applicant has also noted that the proposed new sign's message board will reduce glare as it will utilize minimal back lighting.
Responses generated from the circulation did not demonstrate any opposition to this application. The Ward Councillor is aware of this application.
The Department, therefore, recommends approval of this application, as in this specific case, the sign does not significantly affect adjacent uses, provides necessary identification to a City recreation facility and does not detract from the intent of the By-law.
CONSULTATION
Standard early notification was provided to community and business groups. There were four respondents who supported the application and two that had no objection to the proposal. The Ward Councillor is aware of the application and has not as yet provided any comment.
The only concern raised was by the Ridgepark Community Association. They had no objection, but did have a general concern with the height of the sign. They requested that it be recognized that their support of this submission is with the understanding this approval is only for a site-specific basis and that it will not set a precedent for larger signs in this community. In response, the Department wishes to confirm that each application is reviewed based on the specific situation, how it affects the adjacent community and how it reflects on the policies and intent of the Sign By-law.
FINANCIAL IMPLICATIONS
SUPPORTING DOCUMENTATION
Document 2 Elevation of the Proposed Sign
Document 3 Elevation of the Existing Approved Sign
DISPOSITION
Corporate Services Department, Secretariat Services Branch to notify the applicant, City of Ottawa; Attention: Terry Hopkins, 100 Constellation Crescent, RPAM Branch, 9th floor, Nepean, On, K2G 6J8, and the Ward Councillor Peter Hume of City Council's decision.
Document 1
LOCATION PLAN
Document 2
ELEVATION OF PROPOSED SIGN
Document 3
ELEVATION OF EXISTING APPROVED SIGN
