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HomeMy WebLinkAboutAdjustment - 2007-11-20 SGCOMMITTEE OF ADJUSTMENT FOR THE CITY OF KITCHENER MINUTES OF THE REGULAR MEETING HELD NOVEMBER 20, 2007 MEMBERS PRESENT: Messrs. D. Cybalski, B. McColl & A. Head OFFICIALS PRESENT: Ms. J. von Westerholt, Senior Planner, Mr. R. Parent, Traffic & Parking Analyst, Ms. D. Gilchrist, Secretary-Treasurer, Ms. D. Hartleib, Administrative Clerk. Mr. D. Cybalski, Chair, called this meeting to order at 10:00 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 November 26, 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. SIGN VARIANCE 1. Submission No.: SG 2007-013 Applicant: Kitchener-Waterloo Counselling Services Property Location: 480 Charles Street East Legal Description: Part Lot 25, Registered Plan 404 Appearances: In Support: J. Daoeske Contra: None Written Submissions: None The Committee was advised that the applicant has requested permission to have changeable copy on a pylon sign, on the King Street frontage of the property, that will be located 75m (246.06 ft.) from the closest residential zone rather than the required 150m (492.12 ft.). The Committee considered the report of the Development & Technical Services Department, dated November 9, 2007, in which they advise the subject property is located on the north side of Charles Street East, immediately south of King Street East and just west of Borden Avenue South. The property is zoned Commercial Residential Four (CR-4) with Special Regulation 1 R and is designated as a Mixed Use Corridor. The proposed sign is located along the King Street East frontage. The existing use of the property is for a commercial office building that houses a counselling service. There is an existing pylon sign on the north side of the property that is proposed to be added to, and therefore is the subject of this variance. The application has requested relief under City of Kitchener By-Law 2005-194 to permit the addition of automatic changing copy to an existing pylon sign. Section 31 of Part 2 of the By- law states that "automatic changing copy on a sign shall not be located within 150 metres of any residential zone, or within 23 metres of a street intersection or traffic light". The applicant is proposing automatic changing copy on an existing pylon sign that is within 75 metres of a residential zone. COMMITTEE OF ADJUSTMENT 28 NOVEMBER 20, 2007 On the drawings submitted by the applicant, the proposed automatic changing copy portion of the sign will be located directly beneath the "K-W Counselling Services" portion, and directly above the address, replacing the current "Entrance" lettering and stair graphic. The automatic changing copy will have a height of 20 inches and a width of 37 inches. This site is served primarily by vehicular traffic on both King Street East and Charles Street East. As such, adequate signage is necessary to ensure exposure. The proposed automatic changing copy portion of the sign will actually be very limited in size, only occupying a small portion. The sign is very well set back from the street, and is well buffered by landscaping features and a wrought iron fence. The surrounding properties consist of commercial uses and some vacant parking areas, as well as a cemetery to the northwest. The residential zone that is within 75 metres of the sign is to the northeast, as indicated on the aerial photo above. There is commercial zoning along King Street East across from the existing sign, and this zoning and commercial use acts as a buffer between the sign and the residential properties. As a result, any visual impact to the residential properties that the automatic changing copy sign would normally cause is negligible. Mr. Daoeske advised that the sign is not visible from the residential area because it is blocked by buildings. The sign is primarily visible east and west along King Street. Mr. McColl advised that when the city was preparing the new sign by-law, the sign industry was not opposed to the 150m separation for changeable copy signs. However, he advised that he is prepared to support this application because the sign is blocked from the view of the residential properties, on the understanding that the approval is limited to the area of changeable copy as identified in this application. Moved by Mr. B. McColl Seconded by Mr. A. Head That the application of Kitchener-Waterloo Counselling Services Incorporated requesting permission to add an automatic changing copy sign panel, having the width of 0.939m (3.088') and a height of 0.5m (1.67'), to the existing pylon sign on the King Street frontage of the property, located 75m (246.06') from the closest residential zone rather then the required 150m (492.12'), on Part Lot 25, Plan 404, 480 Charles Street 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. 3. The general intent and purpose of the City of Kitchener Sign By-law is being maintained on the subject property. Carried ADJOURNMENT On motion, the meeting adjourned at 10:04 a.m. Dated at the City of Kitchener this 20th day of November, 2007. Dianne H. Gilchrist Secretary-Treasurer Committee of Adjustment