HomeMy WebLinkAboutAdjustment - 2008-03-18 SGCOMMITTEE OF ADJUSTMENT
FOR THE
CITY OF KITCHENER
MINUTES OF THE REGULAR MEETING HELD MARCH 1$, 200$
MEMBERS PRESENT: Messers D. Cybalski, B. McColl & Ms. C. Balcerczyk
OFFICIALS PRESENT: Ms. J. von Westerholt, Senior Planner, Mr. R. Parent, Traffic Analyst, Ms.
D. Gilchrist, Secretary-Treasurer, Ms. D. Hartleib, Administrative Clerk.
Mr. D. Cybalski, Chair, called this meeting to order at 10:16 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 April 7, 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 2008-002
Applicant: 563 Highland Rd West Ltd.
Property Location: 563 Highland Road West
Legal Description: Part Lot 31, Plan 1004, being Part 5 &6, Reference Plan 58R-5638
Appearances:
In Support: M. DesRosiers
Contra: None
Written Submissions: None
The Committee was advised that the applicant requesting permission to have a pylon sign with
an area of 21.57 sq. m. (232.18 sq. ft.) rather than the permitted 20 sq. m. (215.2 sq. ft.).
The Committee considered the report of the Development and Technical Services Department,
dated March 3, 2008, advising the subject property is located at 563 Highland Road West near
the intersection of Highland and Westmount Roads. Historically the property was a Canadian
Tire store which has recently been redeveloped as a four unit plaza. The property is
immediately adjacent to 525 Highland Road West which is a separate plaza property. Even
though these are two separate plaza properties, they look and appear to function as one site.
The property is zoned Neighbourhood Shopping Centre (C-2) which permits the commercial
uses on site. The Municipal Plan designation of the site is Mixed Use Node which supports the
commercial use of the land.
The applicant is requesting permission to have a Ground Supported Sign having a sign area of
21.57 square metres, rather than the permitted maximum area of 20 square metres per
Section 680.11.4 of Chapter 680 of the Municipal Code.
The Sign By-law permits a maximum sign area of 20 square metres on a lot having a width of
50 metres or greater which provides ample area for advertising on any individual sign. Ground
Supported Signs require a separation distance between signs of 50 metres on the same
property. Based on the frontage of the subject property, a maximum of three Ground
COMMITTEE OF ADJUSTMENT 4 MARCH 1$, 200$
1. Submission No.: SG 2008-002 tCont'd)
Supported Signs could be erected. The applicant is proposing to have only one Ground
Supported Sign and is utilizing the same location that the previous sign was erected in.
The increase in sign area of 1.57 square metres is considered minimal and will not have any
adverse visual impact on the streetscape. The additional 1.57 square metres of sign area is to
provide an area on the sign for manual changeable copy, which will provide the tenants of the
new plaza the opportunity to promote specials, sales, grand openings etc. In consideration of
the fact that the variance is to increase the sign area to permit manual changeable copy, staff
are of the opinion that by providing the manual changeable copy area that the need for multiple
portable sign locations is somewhat reduced.
There are presently two approved portable sign locations on the property. Staff recommends
that one of the portable sign locations be eliminated in favour of the new changeable copy
component on the Ground Supported Sign.
The Committee considered the report of the Region of Waterloo Transportation Planner, dated
March 11, 2008, advising that they have no concern with this application.
Moved by Mr. B. McColl
Seconded by Ms. C. Balcerczyk
That the application of 563 Highland Rd West Ltd. requesting permission to have a Ground
Supported Sign with an area of 21.57 sq. m. (232.18 sq. ft.) rather than the permitted 20 sq. m.
(215.2 sq. ft.), on Part Lot 31, Plan 1004, being Parts 5 & 6, Reference Plan 58R-5638, 563
Highland Road West, Kitchener, Ontario, BE APPROVED, subject to the following condition:
1. That the owner shall eliminate one of the existing approved portable sign locations prior to
installing the manual changeable copy component onto the Ground Supported Sign, and
only one portable sign shall be permitted on this property.
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 Chapter 680 (SIGN) of the City of Kitchener
Municipal Code is being maintained on the subject property.
Carried
ADJOURNMENT
On motion, the meeting adjourned at 10:20 a.m.
Dated at the City of Kitchener this 18th day of March, 2008.
Dianne H. Gilchrist
Secretary-Treasurer
Committee of Adjustment