Variance from Chapter 297, Signs, of the Former City of Toronto Municipal Code - 2595 Bloor Street West (High Park) (City Council on August 1, 2, 3 and 4, 2000, adopted this Clause, without amendment.) The Toronto Community Council recommends the adoption of the following report (June 22, 2000) from the Commissioner of Urban Development Services: Purpose: To review and make recommendations for consent under Chapter 276, Ravines, and on an application for a minor variance from Chapter 297, Signs, of the former City of Toronto Municipal Code to permit three non-illuminated signs in the Humber Marshes Park. Financial Implications and Impact Statement: Funding for the project has been provided from Economic Development, Culture and Tourism, Parks and Recreation Division, Operational Budget Account #P00554. Recommendations: It is recommended that: (1) City Council consent to Application No. 000025 to permit three non-illuminated ground signs within the Humber Valley Ravine, subject to the condition that the work be undertaken substantially in accordance with the Humber Heritage Murals Site Plan (SP-1), dated April 18, 2000, prepared by the Toronto and Region Conservation Authority, and date stamped as received on April 26, 2000 and Humber Heritage Murals, View from the East (EL-1), dated April 18, 2000, prepared by the Toronto and Region Conservation Authority, and date stamped as received on April 26, 2000, all as on file with the Commissioner of Urban Development Services. (2) City Council approve Application No. 900033 for a minor variance from Chapter 297, Signs, of the former City of Toronto Municipal Code to permit three non-illuminated ground signs which illustrate the historical, cultural and recreational elements of the Humber River. (3) The applicant be advised of the requirement to obtain the necessary permits from the Commissioner of Urban Development Services. Background: The Humber Marshes Park runs along the east bank of the Humber River, north of the Queensway. The lands are owned by the Toronto and Region Conservation Authority and managed by the City of Toronto. Immediately south of the park is a Petro Canada station located at 8 South Kingsway. The gas station was redeveloped in 1999. The site plan approval required
Petro Canada to erect an historic plaque and an illustrated information board commemorating the Toronto Carrying Place and the Rousseaux Trading Post. Heritage matters had received a considerable amount of interest during the site plan process because the land in the vicinity of the gas station is considered to be the site of the first European settlement in the Toronto area. In the 18 th century, Jean Baptiste Rousseaux had established a trading post in the area next to the Toronto Carrying Place which utilized the Humber Valley as a portage route between Lake Ontario and Lake Simcoe and the upper Great Lakes. Comments: Proposal: The Humber Marshes Park is located entirely within the Humber Valley Ravine and is subject to Municipal Code Chapter 276, Ravines, Article I. The proposal is to erect three signs in the Humber Marshes Park. Each of the proposed signs is 2.43 metres wide and 1.2 metres high and has an area of 2.9 m2. One sign depicts the historical elements of the Humber River, the second sign depicts the cultural elements and the third sign depicts the recreational elements. The signs will be located in a row, facing the Humber Marshes Park parking lot. This location was chosen because the signs would be accessible and highly visible to pedestrians and motorists along South Kingsway. In addition, the view of the Humber River Valley and access along this informal trail would not be impacted by the signs (see Attachment 1 and 2). There will be no landscaping and the signs will not be illuminated. The proposal also requires site plan approval. Comments from Civic Officials: (a) (b) Heritage Toronto has indicated that it has no concerns or comments regarding the application. Economic Development, Culture and Tourism, Parks and Recreation has advised that it has no concerns or comments regarding the application. Conclusions: I am recommending approval of this application. The signs were part of the site plan approval for the redevelopment of the gas station and will serve a commemorative and educational purpose. The proposal is within the general intent and purpose of Chapter 276, Ravines, and Chapter 297, Signs, of the former City of Toronto Municipal Code.
Contact: SoMei Quan West Section Telephone: 392-1812 Fax: 392-1330 E-Mail: squan0@city.toronto.on.ca Appendix A Comments of Civic Officials 1. Economic Development, Culture and Tourism - Parks and Recreation (June 6, 2000) Parks and Recreation Division, Urban Forestry Services has reviewed the above-noted applications, and have no objections or comments. 2. Economic Development, Culture and Tourism Heritage Preservation Services (June 1, 2000) Heritage Preservation Services, Culture Division has reviewed the above-noted applications, and have no objections or comments. 3. Urban Development Services - Buildings (June 5, 2000) Our comments concerning this proposal are as follows: Description: Install 3 Ground Signs Zoning Designation: GR Map: 46H 323 Applicable By-law(s): Municipal Code, Chapter 276, Ravines, Municipal Code, Chapter 297, Signs, as amended Plans prepared by: Zoning Review Plans dated: The list below indicates where the proposal does not comply with the City s Zoning By-law 438-86, as amended, unless otherwise referenced. 1. The proposed ground signs are not permitted.
Other Applicable Legislation and Required Approvals 1. The proposal DOES NOT require conveyance of land for parks purposes, or payment in lieu thereof pursuant to Section 42 of the Planning Act. 2. The proposal DOES NOT require the approval of Heritage Toronto under the Ontario Heritage Act. 3. The issuance of any permit by the Chief Building Official will be conditional upon the proposal's full compliance with all relevant provisions of the Ontario Building Code. 4. The proposal is within an area regulated by the Toronto and Region Conservation Authority. TRCA approval will be required prior to the issuance of any permit by the Chief Building Official.
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