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HomeMy WebLinkAbout2015-04-21 - SG COMMITTEE OF ADJUSTMENT FOR THE CITY OF KITCHENER MINUTES OF THE REGULAR MEETING HELD APRIL 21, 2015 MEMBERS PRESENT: Messrs. D. Cybalski, A. Head and Ms. J. Meader. OFFICIALS PRESENT: Ms. J. von Westerholt, Senior Planner; Mr. G. Stevenson, Senior Planner; Mr. D. Seller, Traffic Technologist; Ms. D. Saunderson, Secretary- Treasurer; and, Ms. H. Dyson, Administrative Clerk. Mr. D. Cybalski, Chair, called this meeting to order at 10:02 a.m. This meeting of the Committee of Adjustment sitting as a Standing Committee of City Council was called to consider one application regarding a variance to the City of Kitchener Sign By-law. The Committee will not make a decision on this application but rather will make recommendations which will be forwarded to the Committee of the Whole and Council for final decisions. 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 recommendation will be forwarded to City Council on Monday, May 11, 2015 at 7:00 p.m., and the applicants may register with the City Clerk to appear at the meeting if desired. NEW BUSINESS Submission No.: 1. SG 2015-003 Applicant: Family & Children’s Services of Waterloo Region Property Location: 200 Ardelt Avenue Legal Description: Part Lot 3, Plan 1023 and Part Lot 17, Plan 791, being Part 4 on Reference Plan 58R-2738 Appearances: In Support: J. Barron Contra: None Written Submissions: None The Committee was advised that the applicant is requesting permission to install a ground supported sign having automatic changing copy located 5.48m (17.979’) from the intersection rather than the required 23m (75.459’); and, to have 33% of the sign area be changing copy, whereas the By-law permits a maximum sign area of 30% for changing copy. The Committee considered the report of the Planning Division, dated April 10, 2015, advising that the subject property is located at the intersection of Ardelt Avenue and Hanson Avenue. The zoning is M-2 with Special Use Provision 64U in By-law 85-1 with an Official Plan designation of General Industrial. The applicant is requesting permission to construct a ground supported sign housing automatic changing copy to be located 5.48 metres from an intersection rather than the required 23 metres required by section 680.3.29 of the Sign By-law; and, requesting permission to allow 33 percent of the sign face to be composed of automatic changing copy whereas section 680.11.19 of the Sign By-law allows a maximum of 30 percent. In considering the requested variance to the Sign By-law, Planning staff offers the following comments. The applicant is proposing to remove two ground supported signs and replace them with one ground supported sign housing automatic changing copy located 5.48 metres from the intersection rather than the required 23 metres. The variance to reduce the setback required for COMMITTEE OF ADJUSTMENT APRIL 21, 2015 - 6 - Submission No.: 1.SG 2015-003 (Cont’d) a sign containing automatic changing copy from an intersection is considered minor. The intent of the 23 metre separation distance is to allow a visual buffer between an automatic changing copy sign and a street intersection. A reduced separation distance of 5.48 metres will continue to maintain a visual buffer between the proposed sign location and the intersection and can be considered minor. In addition, the proposed location of the sign will only be angled towards Hanson Ave and will not be a visual distraction to traffic along Ardelt Ave. Traffic staff has no concerns with the location of the sign. Furthermore, the applicant is requesting permission to allow 33 percent of the sign face to be automatic changing copy whereas the Sign By-law allows a maximum of 30 percent. The intent of this regulation is to limit the size of the automatic changing copy component of a ground supported sign to ensure that the changing copy component does not dominate the sign. An increase of 3 percent to the size of the automatic changing component will not be noticeable from to street to vehicles and the overall size of the automatic changing copy component will not dominate the sign face. The increase in the size of the automatic changing component is minimal and appropriate as it continues to maintain the intent of the regulation. Staff is of the opinion that a reduction of the separation distance for the ground supported sign housing automatic changing copy and the increases size of the automatic changing sign face will not adversely affect the street intersection or the surrounding neighbourhood and is appropriate for the subject property. The Committee considered the report of the Region of Waterloo, Transportation Planner, dated April 1, 2015, advising that they have no concerns with this application. Mr. J. Barron advised that he was in support of the subject application and the staff recommendation. In response to questions, Ms. von Westerholt advised that the deadline of July 1, 2015 to complete a Landscape Plan, as outlined in Condition 3 of the staff recommendation, should be sufficient time to clear that the requirements of that Condition. Moved by Mr. A. Head Seconded by Ms. J. Meader That the application of the Family & Children’s Services of Waterloo Region requesting permission to install a ground supported sign having automatic changing copy located 5.48m (17.979’) from the intersection rather than the required 23m (75.459’); and, to have 33% of the sign area be changing copy, whereas the By-law permits a maximum sign area of 30% for changing copy, on Part Lot 3, Plan 1023 and Part Lot 17, Plan 791, being Part 4 on Reference Plan 58R-2738, 200 BE APPROVED Ardelt Avenue, Kitchener, Ontario, , subject to the following conditions: 1. That the owner shall obtain a Sign Permit from the Planning Division by July 01, 2015. 2. That the owner shall ensure that the sign complies with all other regulations of the Sign By- law. 3. That the owner shall submit an updated Landscape Plan to the satisfaction of the Director of Planning by July 01, 2015. 4. That the owner shall ensure that the sign is not located within the Corner Visibility Triangle or the Driveway Visibility Triangle. 5. That the owner shall remove the two existing signs located within 25 metres of the proposed sign location prior to the installation of the new sign. It is the opinion of this Committee that: 1. The variances approved in this application are minor in nature. 2. This application is desirable for the appropriate development of the property. COMMITTEE OF ADJUSTMENT APRIL 21, 2015 - 7 - Submission No.: 1.SG 2015-003 (Cont’d) 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 10:05 a.m. Dated at the City of Kitchener this 21st day of April, 2015. Dianna Saunderson Secretary-Treasurer Committee of Adjustment