HomeMy WebLinkAboutAdjustment - 2007-10-16 SGCOMMITTEE OF ADJUSTMENT
FOR THE
CITY OF KITCHENER
MINUTES OF THE REGULAR MEETING HELD OCTOBER 16, 2007
MEMBERS PRESENT:
OFFICIALS PRESENT:
Messrs. M. Hiscott, B. McColl & A. Head
Ms. J. von Westerholt, Senior Planner, Mr. R. Parent, Traffic & Parking
Analyst, Mr. B. Cronkite, Traffic Technologist, Ms. D. Gilchrist, Secretary-
Treasurer, Ms. D. Hartleib, Administrative Clerk.
Mr. M. Hiscott, Vice Chair, called this meeting to order at 10:12 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 22, 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 2007-012
Applicant: Concordia Club
Property Location: 429 Ottawa Street South
Legal Description: Lot 20 & 26, and Part Lots 21, 23, 24, 25 & 27,
Registered Plan 791
Appearances:
In Support: J. Liebel
Contra: None
Written Submissions: None
The Committee was advised that the application requests permission to add an automatic
changing copy panel to an existing pylon sign that is located 16m (52.5') from a residential
zone rather than the required 150m (492.12').
The Committee considered the report of the Development and Technical Services Department,
dated October 9, 2007, in which they advise that the subject property is located on the south
side of Ottawa Street South between Hoffman Street and the Conestoga Parkway. The zoning
is M-2 (General Industrial) under By-law 85-1 with a Municipal Plan designation of General
Industrial.
The applicant is requesting a minor variance to add an automatic changing copy panel to an
existing pylon sign that is located 16 metres (52.5 ft) from a residential zone rather than the
required 150 metres (492.12 ft).
The variance meets the intent of the Sign By-law which is to ensure that automatic changing
copy is not distracting to passing traffic or visually disruptive to any surrounding neighbourhood
streetscape. The proposed automatic changing copy is an additional component of an existing
pylon sign which is located on industrially zoned land (M-2) and the City's Traffic Division has
no concerns with the sign.
The variance could be considered minor in nature and appropriate for the development and
use of the land for the following reasons. The area for the automatic changing copy covers
COMMITTEE OF ADJUSTMENT 26 OCTOBER 16, 2007
less than 25% of the total sign face and will advertise events at the Concordia Club. This
portion of Ottawa Street is a busy arterial road with a high volume of traffic. It does not appear
to detrimentally affect the industrial or residential portions of the streetscape.
The Committee considered the report of the Region's Transportation Planner, dated October 8,
2007, in with he advises that they have no concerns with this application.
Mr. McColl spoke in opposition to this sign variance and advised that in his capacity as a
commercial designer he has knowledge of the sign industry. He stated that technology of
automatic changing copy signs has changed dramatically over the last 20 years. Although the
automatic changing copy portion of the sign, as shown in the drawings submitted with this
application, is fairly old technology, once approved it could be changed to something as
sophisticated as HDTV. The purpose of this sign is to get attention and it can be a distraction
for people driving along Ottawa Street, and there are several residences in this area which
may also be affected. He advised that automatic changing copy signs have recently been
discussed by Council; this proposal is in complete violation of the new sign by-law and can be
changed to something more intensive.
Mr. A. Head spoke in support of this application stating that he didn't believe the automatic
changing copy will bother the neighbours.
Moved by Mr. A. Head
Seconded by Mr. M. Hiscott
That the application of Concordia Club requesting permission to add an automatic changing
copy panel to an existing pylon sign that is located 16m X52.5') from a residential zone rather
that the required 150m X492.13'), on Lots 20 & 26, and Part Lots 21, 23, 24, 25 & 27, Plan 791,
429 Ottawa Street 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 property.
Carried
Mr. B. McColl voted in opposition to this recommendation.
ADJOURNMENT
On motion, the meeting adjourned at 10:24 a.m.
Dated at the City of Kitchener this 16th day of October, 2007.
Dianne H. Gilchrist
Secretary-Treasurer
Committee of Adjustment