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HomeMy WebLinkAbout2016-11-15 - SG COMMITTEE OF ADJUSTMENT FOR THE CITY OF KITCHENER MINUTES OF THE REGULAR MEETING HELD NOVEMBER 15, 2016 MEMBERS PRESENT: Messrs. A. Head and B. McColl and Ms. J. Meader. OFFICIALS PRESENT: Ms. J. von Westerholt, Senior Planner; Mr. D. Seller, Traffic & Parking Analyst; Ms. D. Saunderson, Secretary-Treasurer; and, Ms. H. Dyson, Administrative Clerk. Mr. A. Head, Vice-Chair, called this meeting to order at 10:01 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 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 recommendation will be forwarded to City Council on Monday, December 12, 2016 at 7:00 p.m., and the applicant may register with the City Clerk to appear at the meeting if desired. NEW BUSINESS 1. Submission No.: SG 2016-006 Applicant: Conestoga College Conestoga College Institute of Technology and Advanced Learning Property Location: 299 Doon Valley Drive Legal Description: Part Lots 9 & 10 Beasley’s Old Survey and Part of Biehn’s Unnumbered Tract Appearances: In Support: T. Schill J. Barron Contra: None Written Submissions: None The Committee was advised the applicant is requesting permission to replace the existing ground supported sign with a new ground supported sign having a height of 4.876m in an Institutional Zone, whereas the By-law does not permit signs within this Zone to exceed 3m in height; and, to have a sign area per side of 22.3 sq.m. in an Institutional Zone, whereas the By- law permits a maximum area of 3 sq.m. within this Zone. The Committee considered the report of the Planning Division, dated November 8, 2016, advising the subject property is zoned Major Institutional (I-3), designated Major Institutional in the current Official Plan, and Institutional in the new Official Plan (under appeal). The applicant is requesting permission to remove the current sign and replace it with a new sign containing automatic changing copy. The applicant is asking for relief from section 680.11.8 of the Sign By-law to allow a ground supported sign with a height of 4.87 metres rather than the required maximum of 3 metres. The applicant is also seeking relief from section 680.11.9 of the Sign By-law to allow a ground supported sign with an area of 22.3 metres squared rather than the required maximum of 3 metres squared. COMMITTEE OF ADJUSTMENT NOVEMBER 15, 2016 - 16 - 1. Submission No.: SG 2016-006 (Cont’d) The intent of section 680.11.9 (area) is to control the visual impact of signs on the aesthetics of the streetscape. The proposed increase can be considered minor due to the size of the property and scale of the intersection that it will be located on. The intersection is on the corner of Regional Road (Homer Watson Boulevard) and a Major Community Collector Street (Conestoga College Boulevard/Doon Valley Drive). The intent of section 680.11.8 (height) of the Sign By-law is to ensure that signs located in institutional zones do not reach excessive heights that would not be appropriate for the standard institutionally-zoned lot. Institutionally-zoned lots can often be small lots that directly abut residentially zoned lots. However, in this case the property is extremely large (over 114 acres), does not directly abut any residentially zoned lots, and is located over 300 metres from the closest building on the lot. The subject property is the largest institutionally zoned lot in the City of Kitchener. The sign matches the character of the surrounding area and will not dominate or adversely affect the streetscape. Based on the above comments, staff is of the opinion that the variance requested is minor and meets the general intent of the Sign By-law and is appropriate for the lot and surrounding neighbourhood. The Committee considered the report of the Region of Waterloo, Transportation Planner, dated October 31, 2016, advising they have no concerns with this application. The Chair questioned whether the deadline of January 31, 2017 as outlined in Condition 2 of the staff recommendation is sufficient time to obtain a sign permit. Ms. J. von Westerholt advised obtaining a sign permit is not an onerous process and it should be sufficient. She further advised she had no objections if it’s the Committee’s will to provide an extension to that date. The Chair stated it would be his preference to extend the deadline to February 28, 2017 rather than the proposed deadline of January 31, 2017 to ensure there is sufficient time for the applicant to obtain the required permit. Moved by Ms. P. Kohli Seconded by Mr. B. McColl That the application of Conestoga College Institute of Technology and Advanced Learning requesting permission to replace the existing ground supported sign with a new ground supported sign having a height of 4.876m in an Institutional Zone, whereas the By-law does not permit signs within this Zone to exceed 3m in height; and, to have a sign area per side of 22.3 sq.m. in an Institutional Zone, whereas the By-law permits a maximum area of 3 sq.m. within this Zone, on Part Lots 9 & 10 Beasley’s Old Survey and Part of Biehn’s Unnumbered Tract, 299 Doon Valley Drive, Kitchener, Ontario, BE APPROVED, subject to the following conditions: 1. That the owner shall obtain a Sign Permit from the Planning Division. 2. That the owner shall complete Condition 1 prior to February 28, 2017. Any request for a time extension must be approved in writing by the Manager of Development Review (or designate), prior to the completion date set out in this decision. Failure to fulfill these conditions will result in this approval becoming null and void. 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. 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 NOVEMBER 15, 2016 - 17 - ADJOURNMENT On motion, the meeting adjourned at 10:05 a.m. Dated at the City of Kitchener this 15th day of November, 2016. Dianna Saunderson Secretary-Treasurer Committee of Adjustment