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4. SIGN
MINOR VARIANCE - 333 PRESTON STREET DÉROGATION
MINEURE AU RÈGLEMENT SUR LES ENSEIGNES – 333, CHEMIN PRESTON |
Committee recommendation
Recommandation du Comité
Que le Conseil
approuve la dérogation mineure visant à permettre l'éclairage de deux enseignes
de logo, une augmentation de la surface maximale de l'enseigne au sol à 13
mètres carrés et une surface de centre de messages égale à 31 pour cent de la
surface de l'enseigne au sol.
Documentation
1.
Deputy
City Manager's report, Infrastructure Services and Community Sustainability,
dated 9 November 2008 (ACS2008-ICS-BLD-0042).
Report to/Rapport au :
Planning
and Environment Committee
Comité de l'urbanisme et de l'environnement
and Council / et au Conseil
09 November 2008 / le 09 novembre
2008
Submitted
by/Soumis par : Nancy
Schepers, Deputy City Manager
Directrice municipale adjointe,
Infrastructure Services and Community Sustainability
Services d'infrastructure et
Viabilité des collectivités
Contact Person/Personne ressource : Sandra Garnett, Manager, Business
Integration Services
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 - 333, rue preston |
REPORT
RECOMMENDATION
That the Planning and Environment Committee recommend Council approve the minor variance to permit the illumination of two logo signs, to permit an increase in the maximum ground sign area to 13 square metres and to permit a message centre sign face area equal to 31 per cent of the permitted ground sign area.
RECOMMANDATION DU RAPPORT
Que le Comité de
l'urbanisme et de l'environnement recommande au Conseil d'approuver la
dérogation mineure visant à permettre l'éclairage de deux enseignes de logo,
une augmentation de la surface maximale de l'enseigne au sol à 13 mètres carrés
et une surface de centre de messages égale à 31 pour cent de la surface de
l'enseigne au sol.
BACKGROUND
The agent, Soloway Wright Barristers and Solicitors, for the property owner, Sakto Corporation (Preston Square) has applied for a Minor Variance to Sign By law 2005-439 to permit the illumination of two Province of Ontario logo signs located on the top storey of the subject building on the north and west elevations (reference Document 2). In addition, an increase in the maximum ground sign face area for a sign to be located adjacent to the main entrance on Preston Street from 10 square metres to 13 square metres is required. Finally, they request an increase to the permitted area of a proposed electronic message centre located within the ground sign equal to 31 per cent of the ground sign face area (reference Document 3).
DISCUSSION
The subject property is located on the south side of Hwy 417, developed as an office complex occupying land between Rochester, Aberdeen and Preston Streets. The project includes three buildings with the subject building fronting on Preston Street. Retail commercial uses are located on the ground floor and directly across on the west side of Preston Street.
The property is zoned CN 3 and designated a District 3 zone under the sign by-law. To reflect the intent of the zoning as a mixed use area, building identification logo signs located in the top storey and message centres within identification ground signs may not be illuminated. Similarly, the scale of ground signs is limited to 10 square metres with message centre components limited to 25 per cent of the permitted ground sign face area.
Zoning in the area permits a mix of commercial and residential land use intended to preserve and enhance local commercial businesses in close proximity to a predominantly residential neighbourhood e.g. Bank Street in Ottawa South. To limit the impact of signage on the residential area, the scale of signs and the use of illumination are regulated to support the zoning.
In this case, however, the scale of the development is equal to projects located in a District 4 zone. The proposed logo signs meet the by-law size provisions and the illumination is indirect from behind the lettering thus creating minimal glare, in comparison to internal illumination through white or coloured lettering.
The proposed three-square metre increase in scale of the ground sign is considered in keeping with the scale of the building. The sign has been integrated into and is proportional with the existing entrance architectural feature, thereby reducing any potential negative visual impact. The sign is aligned perpendicular to the street for visibility to passing pedestrians and motorists. The increase in scale for the message centre is equivalent to what would be permitted in a District 4 zone and in proportion with the scale of the sign. The use of the message centre is limited to activities within the project and, while the message will change periodically, it may not be animated or give the impression of movement as in the case of a video screen.
While not yet in effect, based on the new zoning by-law, the zoning designation approved by City Council for this property will be classified as a District 4 zone, wherein the proposed scale of both the ground sign and the message centre would be permitted.
The Department is satisfied the application is in keeping with the intent and purpose of the By‑law and approval is recommended.
CONSULTATION
The proposal was circulated to businesses and residents within 60 metres, area community and business groups, the Ministry of Transportation (signs are within 400 metres of a 400-level highway) and the ward councillor. The feedback received is in support of the application. No objections were received.
Councillor Holmes provided the following comments:
- I have no objections to variance 1 - (Province of Ontario word mark and logo).
- I support variance 2 - animated signage at the entranceway. This is a commercial street and the proposed animation will enhance the lively character of this area of Preston Street. This has been a longstanding request of the developer, and I am pleased to see that the department has agreed to allow the variance application.
FINANCIAL IMPLICATIONS
SUPPORTING DOCUMENTATION
Document 2 - Elevation Drawing - Ontario Government logo signs
Document 3 - Elevation Drawing - Ground sign with message centre
DISPOSITION
City Clerk's Branch to notify the applicant, Soloway Wright Barristers and Solicitors, Suite 900, 427 Laurier Avenue West, Ottawa, K1R 7Y2, Attention: January Cohen, and the Ward Councillor of Council's decision. Building Code Services will process the sign permits resulting from the Council direction in accordance with Sign By-law 2005-439
LOCATION PLAN DOCUMENT
1
ELEVATION DRAWING – ONTARIO LOGO SIGNS DOCUMENT 2
ELEVATION DRAWING – GROUND SIGN AND MESSAGE CENTRE DOCUMENT 3
