HomeMy WebLinkAboutCSD-15-058 - Amendment to Chapter 680 Sign By-law - General Regulations Staff Report
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REPORT TO: Community & Infrastructure Services Committee
DATE OF MEETING: June 15, 2015
SUBMITTED BY: Alain Pinard, Director of Planning
PREPARED BY: Janine Oosterveld, Manager, Site Development &
Customer Service, 519-741-2200 ext. 7076
WARD(S) INVOLVED: All
DATE OF REPORT: May 19, 2015
REPORT NO.: CSD-15- 058
SUBJECT: AMENDMENT TO CHAPTER 680 OF THE MUNCIPAL CODE (SIGN BY-
LAW) GENERAL REGULATIONS
RECOMMENDATION: That the proposed by-law attached to report CSD-15-058 as
Appendix `A' which amends Chapter 680 of the Municipal Code (Sign By-law) by adding a
paragraph to section 680.3.4, recognizing the relocation of signs resulting from a road
widening, be adopted.
BACKGROUND:
The City Sign By-law regulates signs on private property. The current City Sign By-law was
approved by Council in 2007 with subsequent amendments approved in 2011 (general
amendments) and 2013 (election signs).
REPORT:
With a number of road works projects underway over the past couple of years, staff has become
aware of potential challenges with relocating existing signs as a result of the road widening.
There are some signs that were installed with a permit, meeting the Sign By-law regulations at
the time of installation. Over time, some of the regulations have changed, for example, the new
regulations in Mixed Use corridors. In order to issue a sign permit for a sign relocation, a sign
must meet the current by-law regulations. In cases where the by-law has changed, an owner
would require a variance to use the existing sign even though the relocation was not their choice
(being a City, Regional or Ministry of Transportation road widening project).
Staff recommends that the by-law be amended to include a provision for the continued use of
existing, legal signs when they must be relocated due to a road widening. This provides a
balanced approach, avoiding hardship on existing business owners who choose to maintain and
relocate an existing sign.
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ALIGNMENT WITH CITY OF KITCHENER STRATEGIC PLAN:
The Sign By-law aligns with the Quality of Life community priority by encouraging attractive and
safe signage that enhances streetscapes.
FINANCIAL IMPLICATIONS:
N/A
COMMUNITY ENGAGEMENT:
Staff generally encourages open and ongoing feedback with respect to the Sign By-law. An
evaluation of sign relocations due to a number of road construction projects prompted the
amendment to the by-law. Given the nature of this amendment, the public will be informed
through the standard practice of providing access to Committee agendas and reports. It is the
opinion of staff that the proposed change is minor and will not impact the community.
Notification of this amendment will be forwarded to Regional staff, as well as local sign
contractors.
REVIEWED BY: Sandra Santos, Sign & Occupancy Permit Administrator
Sheryl Rice-Menezes, Planning Technician (Zoning)
Eric Schneider, Program Assistant (Planning, Customer Service)
ACKNOWLEDGED BY: Michael May, Deputy CAO (Community Services)
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Appendix `A'
BY-LAW NUMBER
OF THE
CORPORATION OF THE CITY OF KITCHENER
(Being a by-law to amend Chapter 680 of The City of
Kitchener Municipal Code with respect to Signs).
WHEREAS it is deemed expedient to amend Chapter 680 of The City of
Kitchener Municipal Code as adopted by By-law 88-100;
NOW THEREFORE the Council of the Corporation of the City of Kitchener
enacts as follows-
1. Section 680.3.4 Exception — Existing Signs is hereby amended by adding the
following paragraph after"...substantial alteration":
For purposes of this section, substantial alteration includes but is not limited to any
physical relocation of the sign, provided that where such relocation is necessary to
accommodate a road widening by the City of Kitchener, the Regional Municipality of
Waterloo, or the Ministry of Transportation of Ontario, the sign so relocated:
(a) shall be deemed to comply with sign height and sign area provisions of this
Chapter; and,
(b) shall be required to comply with all other requirements of this Chapter as though
the sign was being newly erected.
PASSED at the Council Chambers in the City of Kitchener this day
of A.D. 2015.
Mayor
Clerk
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