Loading...
HomeMy WebLinkAboutAdjustment - 2011-08-16 SGCOMMITTEE OF ADJUSTMENT FOR THE CITY OF KITCHENER MINUTES OF THE REGULAR MEETING HELD AUGUST 16, 2011 MEMBERS PRESENT: Messrs. A. Head, A. Lise and B. McColl OFFICIALS PRESENT: Mr. J. von Westerholt, Senior Planner, Mr. J. Lewis, Traffic & Parking Analyst, Mr. D. Seller, Traffic Technologist, Ms. D. Gilchrist, Secretary- Treasurer and Ms. D. Saunderson, Administrative Clerk Mr. A. Head, Vice Chair, called this meeting to order at 10:00 a. m. This meeting of the Committee of Adjustment sitting as a Standing Committee of City Council was called to consider applications regarding variances to the City of Kitchener Sign By-law. The Committee will not make a decision on these applications but rather will make a recommendation which will be forwarded to the Committee of the Whole and Council for final decision. The Chair explained that the Committee's decisions with respect to sign variances are recommendations to City Council and not a final decision. He advised that the Committee's recommendations will be forwarded to City Council on Monday August 29, 2011 at 7:00 p. m., and the applicants may register with the City Clerk to appear at the meeting if desired. NEW BUSINESS 1. Submission No.: SG 2011-011 Applicant: Kieswetter Motors Inc. Property Location: 4170-4202 King Street East Legal Description: Part Lot 9, Beasley's Broken Front Concession, being Parts 1, 2, 3, 5 & 6, Reference Plan 58R-6134 Appearances: In Support: G. Leveck R. Kieswetter Contra: None Written Submissions: None The Committee was advised that the applicant is requesting permission to relocate the current ground supported sign having a height of 9.04m (26.66`) rather than the permitted 7.5 m (24.6'); and, permission to have no address on the sign, whereas the Sign By-law requires the address to be on these signs. The Committee considered the report of the Planning Division, dated August 4, 2011, advising that the subject property is located at 4170-4202 King Street East and is designated as Planned Commercial Campus in the City's Official Plan and zoned as Arterial Commercial Zone (C-6). The applicant is requesting permission to relocate the current ground supported sign having height of 9.04m (26.66') rather than the permitted 7.5m (24.6'); and permission to have no address on the sign, whereas the Sign By-law requires the address to be on these signs. In considering the requested variances to the Sign By-law, Planning staff offer the following comments. The intent of the sign height restriction is to ensure that signage does not dominate the streetscape and that it is compatible with the development on the property. The applicant has requested relief to allow a sign height which is 1.54m above the permitted 7.5 metre height limit in order relocate and reuse an existing sign. COMMITTEE OF ADJUSTMENT 21 AUGUST 16, 2011 Submission No.: SG 2011-011 (Cont'd Given the scale of the property, this request is considered minor. The sign matches the character of the surrounding area and will not dominate or adversely affect the commercial streetscape. The regulation requiring the municipal address on the sign is to ensure that in an emergency situation, emergency workers would be able to easily identify the site by using the address located on any ground supported sign. Planning staff is of the opinion that the property address must be added to the ground supported sign. The Committee considered the report of the Region of Waterloo Transportation Planner, dated August 5, 2011, advising that the sign should stay wholly on private property and be clear of any easements and/or underground utilities. The Committee considered the report of the Ministry of Transportation (MTO) Corridor Management Planner, dated August 5, 2011, advising that they have no objections to this application and no MTO permits are required for the subject sign. Ms. von Westerholt requested an amendment to staff's recommendation to remove the reference to the sign not having the municipal property address. It is in staffs opinion that the sign should include the municipal address and have requested a condition to include it as part of the Committee's approval. Mr. G. Leveck stated that he was in support of staff's recommendation and would like to amend his application to remove the variance request to no municipal property address on the sign. Moved by Mr. B. McColl Seconded by Mr. A. Lise That the application of Kieswetter Motors Inc. requesting permission to relocate the current ground supported sign having a height of 9.04m (26.66`) rather than the permitted 7.5 m (24.6'), on Part Lot 9, Beasley's Broken Front Concession, being Parts 1, 2, 3, 5 & 6, Reference Plan 58R-6134, 4170-4202 King Street East, Kitchener, Ontario, BE APPROVED, subject to the following conditions: 1. That the owner shall obtain a sign permit from the City's Planning Division. 2. That the owner shall include the municipal property address on the ground supported sign. It is the opinion of this Committee that: 1. The variance approved in this application is minor in nature. 2. This application is desirable for the appropriate development of the property 3. The general intent and purpose of the Chapter 680 (SIGN) of the City of Kitchener Municipal Code is being maintained on the subject property. Carried Submission No.: SG 2011-012 Applicant: Waterloo Catholic District School Board Property Location: 154 Gatewood Road Legal Description: Part Block A, Plan 876, Part Lot 11, Plan 786 Appearances: In Support: T. Gagne Contra: M. George A. Moore COMMITTEE OF ADJUSTMENT 22 AUGUST 16, 2011 Submission No.: SG 2011-012 (Cont'd Written Submissions: A. & S. Moore The Committee was advised that the applicant is requesting permission to erect a ground supported sign having an area of 5 sq.m. (53.8 sq.ft.) rather than the permitted 3 sq.m. (32.3 sq.ft. ). The Committee considered the report of the Planning Division, dated August 4, 2011, advising that the subject property is located at 154 Gatewood Road and is designated as Low Rise Residential in the City's Official Plan and zoned as Neighbourhood Institutional Zone (I-1 ). The applicant is requesting permission to erect a ground supported sign having an area of 5 sq.m. (53.8sq.ft.) rather than the permitted 3 sq.m. (32.3sq.ft.). In considering the requested variance to the Sign By-law, Planning staff offer the following comments. The intent of the sign area restriction is to control the visual impact of signs on the aesthetics of the streetscape. An increase of 2 square metres is considered minor in this situation as the larger sign area is required to adequately advertise the tenants on site. The changeable copy portion of the sign will be used to inform the community of upcoming events. Given the size of the property, this request is considered minor. The sign matches the character of the surrounding area and will not dominate or adversely affect the streetscape. The Committee considered the report of the Region of Waterloo Transportation Planner, dated August 5, 2011, advising that they have no concerns with this application. The Committee considered the written submission from the neighbour in opposition to this application. Ms. Moore and Ms. George spoke in opposition to this application. They noted that the sign referenced in the staff report is located closer to the Queens Boulevard and Blueridge Avenue intersection of the property, but there is a second sign located on the Gatewood Road street frontage as well and it too is over the By-law requirements. Ms. Moore commented that with the approval of the variance for the sign located closest to Queens Boulevard, what would prevent the applicant from increasing the size of sign on Gatewood Road. She stated that this facility is in the centre of a residential community and in her opinion, these types of large signs detract and commercialize the neighbourhood. In response to questions, Mr. Gagne stated that the changeable copy portion of the sign is not automatic changing copy. He noted that the current sign is made out of wood and is being replaced by the sign proposed in this application. He commented that the new sign is actually smaller and further from the sidewalk and the intersection than the current sign. He further advised that he was unfamiliar with the sign along the Gatewood Road frontage of the property. Ms. von Westerholt advised that the Committee can only consider the sign applied for within the variance application, located at the Queens Boulevard and Blueridge Avenue intersection. She stated that any concerns regarding the sign located on the Gatewood Road entrance could be directed to the City's Sign Permit Administrator. Moved by Mr. B. McColl Seconded by Mr. A. Lise That the application of the Waterloo Catholic District School Board requesting permission to erect a ground supported sign having an area of 5 sq.m. (53.8 sq.ft.) rather than the permitted 3 sq. m. (32.3 sq.ft.), on Part Block A, Plan 876, Part Lot 11, Plan 786, 154 Gatewood Road, Kitchener, Ontario, BE APPROVED, subject to the following conditions: 1. That the owner shall obtain a sign permit from the City's Planning Division It is the opinion of this Committee that: 1. The variance approved in this application is minor in nature. 2. This application is desirable for the appropriate development of the property COMMITTEE OF ADJUSTMENT 23 AUGUST 16, 2011 Submission No.: SG 2011-012 (Cont'd 3. The general intent and purpose of the Chapter 680 (SIGN) of the City of Kitchener Municipal Code is being maintained on the subject property. Carried ADJOURNMENT On motion, the meeting adjourned at 11:05 a. m. Dated at the City of Kitchener this 16th day of August, 2011. Dianne H. Gilchrist Secretary-Treasurer Committee of Adjustment