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HomeMy WebLinkAboutAdjustment - 1998-02-17 SIGCOA\1998-02-17-SIGN COMMITTEE OF ADJUSTMENT FOR THE CITY OF KITCHENER MINUTES OF THE REGULAR MEETING HELD FEBRUARY 17, 1998 MEMBERS PRESENT: Ms. S. Campbell and Messrs. W. Dahms, A. Galloway. OFFICIALS PRESENT: Ms. J. Given, Senior Planner, Mr. R. Morgan, Co-ordinator Zoning Administration, and Ms. D. H. Gilchrist, Secretary-Treasurer. Mr. W. Dahms, Chair, called the meeting to order at 9:35 a.m. This meeting of the Committee of Adjustment as a Standing Committee of City Council was called to consider applications regarding variances to Chapter 680 of the City of Kitchener Municipal Code. The Committee will not make a decision on this application but rather will make a recommendation which will be forwarded to Committee of the Whole and Council for final decision. APPLICATIONS 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 1/98, would be forwarded to the City Council meeting scheduled for Monday March 2, 1998, at 7:00 p.m. and they may appear at the Council meeting if they wish. 1. Submission No. S 1/98 - Ottawa-Westmount Shopping Centre, 640 Trillium Drive, Kitchener, Ontario Re: Parts 4, 5, 6 & 7, Reference Plan 58R-10800, 645 Westmount Road, East, Kitchener, Ontario. APPEARANCES: IN SUPPORT: Mr. M. Stever National Sign and Awning Group 2880 King Street East, Unit D Kitchener, Ontario CONTRA: NONE WRITTEN SUBMISSIONS: IN SUPPORT: NONE CONTRA: NONE The Committee was advised the applicant is requesting permission to erect two pylon signs with automatic changing copy, one on the Westmount Road frontage and one on the Ottawa Street frontage of this property. Each sign will be located 15 m (49.22 ft.) from the closest residential zone rather than the required 150 m (492.13 ft.) The Committee considered the comments of the Department of Planning & Development in which they advised that the applicant is requesting permission to place "automatic changing copy" on two pylon signs. One sign will be on the Westmount Road frontage and the other sign will be on the Ottawa Street frontage. Each sign will be 15 metres (49.2 ft.) from the closest residential zone rather than the required 150 m. The intent of the by-law is to limit the impact of an electronic message centre when viewed from a property in a residential zone so that such a sign would not have an adverse effect on the enjoyment of the residential properties. A sign permit has recently been approved for the two pylon sign structures only, upon which the COMMITTEE OF ADJUSTMENT 2 FEBRUARY 17, 1998 automatic changing copy will be placed. Other than the automatic changing copy, both the pylon signs comply with the regulations of the sign by-law. Additionally regulations for automatic changing copy state that it must be at least 23 m. (75.4 ft.) from a street intersection or traffic light and that it 1. Submission No. S 1/98 - Ottawa-Westmount Shopping Centre, cont'd must not be visible from a highway (Conestoga Parkway). Both signs comply with these regulations. The "electronic message centre" contains two lines of messages. The applicant has confirmed that the message centre will be used solely for the tenants of the plaza. The message centre occupies an area approximately 2.44 m by 0.6 m (8 ft. x 2 ft.) as indicated on the sign drawing submitted. This is a considerably small proportion of the overall sign which is approximately 3.4 m by 7.5 m (11 ft. x 24.5 ft.). Consequently, the variance would have limited impact on the residential zone and could be considered minor in nature. Both Westmount Road and Ottawa Street are primary arterial roads and as such both streets accommodate high volumes of traffic. The two pylon signs are oriented perpendicular to the street to offer the best angle to view them for passing traffic. As noted above, the impact of the signs could be considered minor in nature. The automatic changing copy on the pylon signs meet the intent of the sign by-law and could be considered appropriate development and use of the land. The Department of Planning and Development recommends approval of the Submission S 1/98 as indicated on the drawing submitted by the applicant. The Committee noted the comments of the Traffic and Parking Division in which they advised that they have no concerns with the proposed sign location. The Committee noted the comments of the Engineering Department, Region of Waterloo in which they advised that they have no objection to the above application provided it does not create a site visibility problem for motorists. Moved by Mr. A. Galloway Seconded by Ms. S. Campbell That the application of Ottawa-Westmount Shopping Centre requesting permission to erect two pylon signs with automatic change and copy, one on the Westmount Road frontage and one on the Ottawa Street frontage, each to be located 15 m (49.22 ft.) from the closest residential zone rather than the required 150 m (492.13 ft.) on Parts 4, 5, 6 and 7 Reference Plan 58R-10800 645 Westmount Road East, Kitchener, Ontario be approved, subject to the following condition: 1) That the signs as approved in the application shall apply to those shown on the drawing submitted with the application. 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. The general intent and purpose of the City of Kitchener Municipal Code Chapter 680 (Signs) is being maintained on the subject property. Carried The Chairman advised those in attendance that consideration of this recommendation by City Council would take place at the Council meeting schedule for March 2, 1998 and they may attend that meeting if they wish. ADJOURNED On Motion, the meeting adjourned at 9:40 a.m. Dated at the City of Kitchener this 17th day of February, 1998. COMMITTEE OF ADJUSTMENT 3 FEBRUARY 17, 1998 D. H. Gilchrist Secretary-Treasurer Committee of Adjustment