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HomeMy WebLinkAboutAdjustment - 2007-09-18 SGCOMMITTEE OF ADJUSTMENT FOR THE CITY OF KITCHENER MINUTES OF THE REGULAR MEETING HELD SEPTEMBER 18, 2007 MEMBERS PRESENT: OFFICIALS PRESENT: Messrs. M. Hiscott, B. McColl & A. Head Ms. J. von Westerholt, Senior Planner, Mr. R. Parent, Traffic & Parking Analyst, Ms. D. Gilchrist, Secretary-Treasurer, Ms. D. Hartleib, Administrative Clerk. Mr. M. Hiscott, Vice Chair, called this meeting to order at 10:49 a.m. This meeting of the Committee of Adjustment sitting as a Standing Committee of City Council was called to consider applications regarding variances to the City of Kitchener Sign By-law. The Committee will not make a decision on these applications but rather will make a recommendation 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 recommendations will be forwarded to City Council on Monday October 1, 2007, at 7:00 p.m., and the applicants may register with the City Clerk to appear at the meeting if desired. NEW BUSINESS 1. Submission No.: SG 2007-011 Applicant: Murray Bauman Investments Ltd. Property Location: 600 Fairway Road South Legal Description: Part Lot 18, Registered Plan 988, being Part 1, Reference Plan 58R-4136 Appearances: In Support: Morgan Smith Contra: None Written Submissions: None The Committee was advised that the applicant requests permission to add an additional panel to the bottom of an existing pylon sign such that the clearance between the bottom of the copy portion of the sign and grade will be 1.8m (5.9') rather than the required 2.44m (8'). The Committee considered the report of the Development and Technical Services Department, dated September 11, 2007, advising the subject property is located on the north side of Fairway Road South, northeast of Manitou Drive. The property is zoned Commercial Campus (C-8) with Special Regulation 2978 and is designated as a Primary Node. The existing use of the property is for amulti-use commercial building that houses the Royal Bank, Hakim Optical and an adult video store. In addition, there is an existing pylon sign on the southeast corner of the property, which is the subject of the proposed minor variance. The application has requested relief under City of Kitchener By-haw 2005-194 to permit an addition to the existing pylon sign. Section 2.1(yy) provides the definition for a pylon (pole) sign as a "free-standing sign which is permanently anchored in the ground, and which has its sign faces) at least 2.44 metres above finished grade". The applicant has requested that the sign face for the proposed pylon sign addition be located 1.8 metres above finished grade. The applicant has indicated that if they were to comply with the 2.44 metre minimum height requirement the proposed sign would not be of sufficient size to be visible to passing traffic. Furthermore, the business that the sign is intended to advertise for has limited exposure with the current sign that is located on the building. COMMITTEE OF ADJUSTMENT 24 SEPTEMBER 18, 2007 1. Submission No.: SG 2007-011 fCont'd The 2.44 metre clearance regulation is intended to allow for maximum visibility beneath a pylon sign for motor vehicles and pedestrians. A reduction to 1.8 metres would still allow for adequate visibility underneath the proposed sign face, and would not have a negative impact on the safety of pedestrians and traffic. Furthermore, allowing for the proposed sign would provide an opportunity for greater exposure to one of the businesses on the site that currently experiences limited visibility from passing motor vehicle traffic. The proposal maintains the general intent of the Sign By-law, and as such no negative impacts are anticipated if the proposed variance is approved. The subject lands are within the Fairway Road Commercial Corridor designation in a Primary Node. This Municipal Plan designation is characterized by a linear concentration of retail commercial and entertainment uses, and is fully accessible by vehicular traffic. Given that the proposed sign addition would allow for maximum exposure to passing traffic, the general intent and purpose of the Official Plan would be maintained. As such, Planning staff recommends that this application for a minor variance to the City's Sign By-law be approved. The Committee considered the report of the Region of Waterloo Transportation Planner, dated September 9, 2007, advising that they have no concern with this application. Moved by Mr. A. Head Seconded by Mr. B. McColl That the application of Sunralf Corporation requesting permission to add an additional panel to the bottom of an existing pylon sign such that the clearance between the bottom of the copy portion of the sign and grade will be 1.8m (5.9') rather than the required 2.44m (8'), on Part Lot 18, Registered Plan 988, being Part 1, Reference Plan 58R-4136, 600 Fairway Road South, 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. 3. The general intent and purpose of the City of Kitchener Sign By-law is being maintained on the subject properly. Carried ADJOURNMENT On motion, the meeting adjourned at 10:51 a.m. Dated at the City of Kitchener this 18th day of September, 2007. Dianne H. Gilchrist Secretary-Treasurer Committee of Adjustment