HomeMy WebLinkAboutAdjustment - 2011-09-20 SGCOMMITTEE OF ADJUSTMENT
FOR THE
CITY OF KITCHENER
MINUTES OF THE REGULAR MEETING HELD SEPTEMBER 20, 2011
MEMBERS PRESENT: Messrs. D. Cybalski, J. Meader and A. Lise
OFFICIALS PRESENT: Mr. J. von Westerholt, Senior Planner, Mr. J. Lewis, Traffic & Parking
Analyst, Mr. D. Pimentel, Traffic Technologist, Ms. J. Billett, Acting
Secretary-Treasurer, Ms. D. Saunderson, Administrative Clerk and Ms. L.
Garovat, Administrative Clerk
Mr. D. Cybalski, 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 October 3, 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 2011-013
Applicant: Access Self Storage Inc.
Property Location: 50 Ottawa Street South
Legal Description: Lots 1-11, Plan 262, Part Lot 486, Streets & Lanes and
Part Park Lot 25, Plan 404, being Parts 2-5 & 7,
Reference Plan 58R-2633
Appearances:
In Support: A. Werner
Contra: None
Written Submissions: None
The Committee was advised that the applicant is requesting permission to erect a tower sign at
the corner of Charles Street and Ottawa Street South, having a height of 8.37m (27.46`) rather
than the permitted 7.5m (24.61`).
The Committee considered the report of the Planning Division, dated September 12, 2011,
advising that the subject property is zoned M-2, 159U in By-law 85-1 and is designated as
General Industrial in the Official Plan. The property is used as amulti-tenant industrial building
located in the south-west corner of the intersection of Ottawa Street South and Charles Street.
Staff notes that the agenda has classified the sign as a "tower" sign; however, the sign does not
meet the definition of tower sign and is more accurately called a "ground supported" sign. The
applicant is requesting permission to erect a ground supported sign having a height of 8.37
metres rather than the maximum permitted 7.5 metres.
In considering the requested variance to the Sign By-law, Planning staff offers 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 permit a sign height which is 0.87 metre (2.9 ft) above the permitted 7.5
COMMITTEE OF ADJUSTMENT 25 SEPTEMBER 20, 2011
1. Submission No.: SG 2011-013 (Cont'd)
metres height. It is noted that the uppermost 1 metre (3.2 ft) of the sign is used for the address
of the property and that the portion of the sign used for the tenants is no more than 7.4 metres
(24.3 ft) in height.
Given the size of the property and the multi-tenant use, this request can be considered to be
minor and to meet the intent of the sign by-law. The proposed sign is in keeping with the
character of the industrial property and will not dominate or adversely affect the streetscape.
For the reasons noted above, the variance may be considered minor and appropriate
development for the subject property and abutting lands.
The Committee considered the report of the Region of Waterloo Transportation Planner, dated
September 12, 2011, advising that Rapid Transit staff is in process of determining the extent of
lands required from this property which potentially will contain the proposed location for this
sign, and as such this sign application cannot be approved at this time.
The Chair noted the written submission from the Region of Waterloo concerning the potential
for Rapid Transit along Ottawa Street South and the proposed location for this sign. He
proposed a condition to require the owner to move this sign, at their expense, at the time the
Region notifies them that they are proceeding with Rapid Transit in front of the subject property.
Ms. Von Westerholt advised that she would support including the proposed condition to relocate
the sign pending a request from the Region. The applicant advised that he was in support of
staff's recommendation and the amended conditions.
Moved by Mr. A. Lise
Seconded by Ms. J. Meader
That the application of Access Self Storage Inc. requesting permission to erect a ground
supported sign at the corner of Charles Street and Ottawa Street South, having a height of
8.37m (27.46`) rather than the permitted 7.5m (24.61`), on Lots 1-11, Plan 262, Part Lot 486,
Streets & Lanes and Part Park Lot 25, Plan 404, being Parts 2-5 & 7, Reference Plan 58R-
2633, 50 Ottawa Street South Kitchener, Ontario, BE APPROVED, subject to the following
condition:
1. That the owner shall apply for and receive approval of a sign permit from the City of
Kitchener for the proposed sign.
2. That the owner of 50 Ottawa Street South shall remove the ground supported sign, at
his/her cost, when notified by the Regional Municipality of Waterloo that they are
proceeding with Rapid Transit in front of the subject property.
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 Chapter 680 (SIGNS) of the City of Kitchener
Municipal Code is being maintained on the subject property.
Carried
ADJOURNMENT
On motion, the meeting adjourned at 10:09 a. m.
Dated at the City of Kitchener this 20t" day of September, 2011.
Janet Billett
Acting Secretary-Treasurer
Committee of Adjustment