HomeMy WebLinkAboutAdjustment - 1998-01-06 SIGCOA\1997-01-06-SIGN
COMMITTEE OF ADJUSTMENT
FOR THE
CITY OF KITCHENER
MINUTES OF THE REGULAR MEETING HELD JANUARY 6, 1998
MEMBERS PRESENT:
OFFICIALS PRESENT:
Ms. J. Given, Senior Planner, Mr. R. Morgan, Co-ordinator
Administration, and Ms. D. H. Gilchrist, Secretary-Treasurer.
Ms. S. Campbell and Messrs. W. Dahms, A. Galloway, S. Kay and P. Kruse.
Zoning
Mr. W. Dahms, Chair, called the meeting to order at 9:30 a.m.
MINOR VARIANCE
The Chairman explained that the Committee's decisions with respect to Sign Variances are not final, but
recommendations to City Council. He advised all those present that the Committee's recommendations for
Submission No. S 11/97, would be forwarded to the City Council meeting scheduled for Monday January
19, 1998, at 7:00 p.m. and they may appear at the Council meeting if they wish.
Submission No. S 11/97 - Ottawa-Westmount Shopping Centre - 640 Trillium
Drive, Kitchener, Ontario
Re:
Block Y, Registered Plan 1240, Being Parts 4, 5, 6 & 7, Reference Plan 58R-10800, 645 Westmount
Road East, Kitchener, Ontario.
APPEARANCES:
IN SUPPORT:
Mr. G. Voisin
R.R. #2
New Hamburg, Ontario
Mr. M. Steever
2880 King Street East
Suite D
Kitchener, Ontario
CONTRA: NONE
WRITTEN SUBMISSIONS:
IN SUPPORT: NONE
CONTRA: NONE
The Committee was advised the applicant is requesting permission to increase the height of 10 canopy
signs on this plaza, so that signs will have a height of 1.15 m (3.78 ft.) rather than the permitted 1 m (3.28 ft.)
and signs will have a height of 1.22 m (4 ft.) rather than the permitted 1 m (3.28 ft.).
The Committee considered the comments of the Department of Planning & Development in which they
advised that the applicant requests permission to erect ten canopy signs with the height of the sign faces
ranging from 1.15 metre (3.77 feet) to 1.22 metres (4.0 feet) rather than the permitted maximum of one metre
(3.28 feet) for canopies having a clearance above grade of less than 4.26 metres (13.98 feet).
The subject signs are to advertise various businesses located at a recently constructed commercial plaza.
The building is setback approximately 20 metres from Ottawa Street and approximately 40 metres from
Westmount Road. The applicant states that the variance is requested as the distance of the signs from the
COMMITTEE OF ADJUSTMENT 2 JANUARY 6, 1998
street lines is affecting the readable height. Additionally, the applicant wishes to maintain the architectural
design of the building with the requested variance.
1. Submission No. S 11/97 - Ottawa-Westmount Shoppin.q Centre - cont'd
Under the Sign By-law regulations for canopy signs, the maximum height of a sign face permitted is
determined by the clearance of the canopy from grade. If the canopy has clearance above grade of less
than 4.26 metres (13.97 feet), then the maximum sign face height is 1 metre (3.28 feet). Staff note that the
application does not indicate the measurement for the clearance of the signs from grade. As discussed with
the applicant, the signs will have a minimum clearance from grade of 2.44 metres (8 ft), as required by the
Sign By-law.
The intent of the sign height regulation is to control the size of the sign so it does not visually dominate the
building upon which it is erected.
There are to be two different sign heights for the canopy signs. The one-storey portions of the plaza will
have sign faces with a height of 1.22 metres (4 feet). The area of the plaza containing two-storeys will have
sign faces (on the first storey portion only) with a height of 1.15 metres (3.77 feet). Staff note that the signs
are not excessively high or visually inappropriate for the size and location of the commercial structure.
Consequently, the impact of the variance can be considered minor in nature.
Based on the above comments, the variance maintains the general intent and purpose of the sign by-law.
Additionally, the requested sign variance is appropriate for the development and use of the land.
The Department of Planning and Development recommends approval of the variance as shown on the
drawings submitted with the application.
The Committee noted the comments of the Traffic & Parking Division in which they advised that they have
no concerns with this application.
Moved by Mr. A. Galloway
Seconded by Mr. P. Kruse
That the application of Ottawa-Westmount Shopping Centre requesting permission to erect canopy signs,
on the one-storey portion of the plaza, with a height of 1.22 m (4 ft.) rather than the permitted 1 m (3.28 ft.)
and canopy signs, on the first storey of the two storey portion of the plaza, with a height of 1.15 m (3.77 ft.)
rather than the permitted 1 m (3.28 ft.) on Block Y, Registered Plan 1240, Being Parts 4, 5, 6 & 7, Reference
Plan 58R-10800, 645 Westmount Road East, Kitchener, Ontario BE APPROVED.
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.
The general intent and purpose of the City of Kitchener Municipal Code Chapter 680 (Signs) is being
maintained on the subject property.
Carried
ADJOURNED
On Motion, the meeting adjourned at 9:35 a.m.
Dated at the City of Kitchener this 6th day of January 1998.
COMMITTEE OF ADJUSTMENT 3 JANUARY 6, 1998
D. H. Gilchrist
Secretary-Treasurer
Committee of Adjustment