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HomeMy WebLinkAbout2015-09-15 - SG COMMITTEE OF ADJUSTMENT FOR THE CITY OF KITCHENER MINUTES OF THE REGULAR MEETING HELD SEPTEMBER 15, 2015 MEMBERS PRESENT: Messrs. D. Cybalski and A. Head and Ms. J. Meader. OFFICIALS PRESENT: Mr. B. Bateman, Senior Planner; Mr. D. Seller, Traffic & Parking Analyst; Ms. D. Saunderson, Secretary-Treasurer; and, Ms. H. Dyson, Administrative Clerk. Mr. D. Cybalski, Chair, called this meeting to order at 10:05 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, October 5, 2015 at 7:00 p.m., and the applicant may register with the City Clerk to appear at the meeting if desired. NEW BUSINESS Submission No.: 1. SG 2015-008 Applicant: Waterloo Region District School Board Property Location: 329 Glasgow Street Legal Description: Part Lots 7 & 8, Plan 402 Appearances: In Support: D. Widerman B. Brown 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 23m (75.459’) from a residential zone whereas the By-law requires a separation distance of 100m (328.083’) from a residential zone. The Committee considered the report of the Planning Division, dated September 4, 2015, advising that the subject property is located near the intersection of Glasgow Street and Dunbar Road and is used as a public elementary school. The zoning is I-1 in By-law 85-1 with an Official Plan designation of Low Rise Residential. The applicant is requesting a minor variance for permission to construct a ground supported sign housing automatic changing copy to be located 23 metres from a residential zone rather than the required separation distance of 100 metres required by section 680.3.29 of the Sign By-law. In considering the requested variance to the Sign By-law, Planning staff offers the following comments. The applicant is proposing to construct a ground supported sign housing automatic changing copy located 23 metres to the nearest residential zone; however, the proposed sign does not meet the required separation distance of 100 metres to a residentially zoned area. The variance to reduce the setback required for a sign containing automatic changing copy from a residential zone can be considered minor. The nearest residentially zoned area is located on the opposite COMMITTEE OF ADJUSTMENT SEPTEMBER 15, 2015 - 20 - Submission No.: 1. SG 2015-008 (Cont’d) side of the street of the subject lands. It is anticipated that the automatic changing copy will have little effect on the nearby residential area. The proposed size of the automatic changing copy portion of the sign is relatively small in size (1.47 metres square) and shall have minimal impact on the residential properties located on the opposite side of the street. In addition the sign will have minimal impact on the residential property located on the same side of the street as the subject property. The subject property, which is currently under construction, has shown on their landscape plan that proposed trees and plant vegetation located on the subject property and the nearby residential property will provide a visual buffer between the proposed sign and the residential zone. The proposed sign will be located at an angle that ensures it will not be directly visible to the neighbouring residential property, thus the impact of its appearance on residents should be minimal. Staff are of the opinion that reduction of the separation distance for a new ground supported sign housing automatic changing copy will not adversely affect the surrounding neighbourhood and is appropriate for the subject property. Messrs D. Wideman and B. Brown advised that they were in support of the subject application and the staff recommendation. The Committee requested clarification on the rationale related to Condition 2 of the staff report, noting that in previous applications requesting reduced setbacks from residential neighbourhoods, the Committee has generally imposed a condition requiring the sign to be turned off between the hours of 11:00 p.m. and 6:00 a.m. Mr. B. Bateman advised that he was unsure this date of the rationale relating to Condition 2, noting that he could follow up with the Committee at a later date. Mr. Wideman advised that he did not have any objection to Condition 2 as proposed. He noted that in consultation with staff regarding the proposed ground supported sign, although not included in the staff report, they agreed to dim the sign in the evening hours. He further advised that he had no objection to with the Chair’s proposal to include an additional Condition requiring the sign to be turned off between the hours of 11:00 p.m. and 6:00 a.m. Moved by Mr. A. Head Seconded by Ms. J. Meader That the application of Waterloo Region District School Board requesting permission to install a ground supported sign having automatic changing copy located 23m (75.459’) from a residential zone whereas the By-law requires a separation distance of 100m (328.083’) from a residential BE APPROVED zone, on Part Lots 7 & 8, Plan 402, 329 Glasgow Street, Kitchener, Ontario, , subject to the following conditions: 1. That the owner shall obtain a Sign Permit from the Planning Division by December 1, 2015 2. That the owner shall ensure that there are no scrolling or flashing characters and that characters are displayed for a minimum of six seconds. 3. That the owner shall ensure that the automatic changing copy portion of the sign is turned off between the hours of 11:00 p.m. and 6:00 a.m. 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 COMMITTEE OF ADJUSTMENT SEPTEMBER 15, 2015 - 21 - ADJOURNMENT On motion, the meeting adjourned at 10:07 a.m. Dated at the City of Kitchener this 15th day of September, 2015. Dianna Saunderson Secretary-Treasurer Committee of Adjustment