Loading...
HomeMy WebLinkAboutAdjustment - 2009-02-17 SGCOMMITTEE OF ADJUSTMENT FOR THE CITY OF KITCHENER MINUTES OF THE REGULAR MEETING HELD FEBRUARY 17, 2009 MEMBERS PRESENT: Messrs. M. Hiscott, B. McColl & A. Head OFFICIALS PRESENT: Mr. B. Bateman, Senior Planner, Mr. J. Lewis, Traffic Technologist, Ms. D. Gilchrist, Secretary-Treasurer and Ms. D. Hartleib, Administrative Clerk. Mr. M. Hiscott, Vice 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 February 23, 2009 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 2009-001 Applicant: GPM Investments Inc. Property Location: 35 Sportsworld Crossing (100 Sportsworld Drive) Legal Description: Part Lots 8 & 9, Beasley's Broken Front Concession Mr. B. McColl declared a pecuniary interest with this application because of his previous financial involvement with the owners of this property and did not participate in any discussion or voting with respect to this application. This application was considered by the remaining 2 members. Appearances: In Support: S. Ritchie Contra: None Written Submissions: None The Committee was advised that the applicant is requesting permission to cover approximately 70% of the easterly wall of the arena with a series of mural signs rather than the permitted 30% coverage, with there being no space between each of these signs rather than the required separation of 0.3m X0.98'). The Committee considered the report of the Development and Technical Services Department, dated February 6, 2009, advising that the subject building is located on Sportsworld Crossing Road within the Sportsworld Crossing commercial area and is developed as a hockey arena. The property is designated as a Commercial Campus in the City's Official Plan and is zoned Commercial Campus (C-8) with Special Regulation Provision 4498. The applicant's intent is to erect a series of large hockey-themed mural signs along the eastern side of the arena which would advertise a retail business (Hockey fife) which is located in another building within the Sportsworld Crossing development. The applicant is requesting variances from the City of Kitchener Sign By-law for the following: 1) To allow fascia signs along the east elevation of an existing arena building to occupy a total of 70% of the wall area rather than the permitted maximum of 30%; and, COMMITTEE OF ADJUSTMENT 1. Submission No. SG 2009-001 ~Cont'd~ FEBRUARY 17, 2008 2) To allow fascia signs to have a separation between signs of 0 m rather than the required minimum of 0.3 m. In considering the requested variance to the City of Kitchener Sign By-law, Planning staff offer the following comments: With respect to the wall area coverage, staff is of the opinion that the proposed signs to be erected would improve the appearance of the building. Currently, the east elevation fagade is composed completely of an unattractive siding material, which creates an industrialized appearance. The arena does little to blend itself with the attractive commercial buildings surrounding it. Staff feels that the proposed signage is well designed, and would significantly improve the facade of the building as well as its integration with its surrounding. Therefore, staff fully supports this variance. Considering the separation distances of these signs, the intent of the By-law is to create more attractive facades by creating breaks between signs to introduce different materials and finishes. However, in this situation, staff feels that no benefit would be served by creating a separation between signs, as the siding currently installed on the building would add no extra value to the building's appearance. Furthermore, in reviewing the proposed elevations for the signs, each sign presents a different image and produces an interesting array of photos and text to enhance the overall appearance of the fagade. Therefore, staff has no concerns with eliminating the separation distances between signs, and fully supports the variance. The Committee considered the report of the Region of Waterloo Transportation Planner, dated January 27, 2009, advising that they have no concerns with this application. The Committee considered the report of the Ministry of Transportation, Corridor Management Officer, dated February 10, 2009, advising that review of the above noted minor variance application has been completed. The application has been considered in accordance with the requirements of our commercial signing policies and the Public Transportation and Highway Improvement Act (PTHIA). The following outlines their concerns: 1. The proposal exceeds the maximum allowable area (23 sq. m) of signing permitted per unit per commercial establishment. 2. The sign advertises a business that is not located within the building it is being displayed on. Commercial signing and advertising must be affixed to or mounted upon the building where the particular establishment is located. This is considered third party advertising which MTO does not permit. Mr. Ritchie advised that he agrees with the staff recommendation including the requirement to obtain a permit from the Ministry of Transportation. The Chair was concerned that the owner should obtain a permit from the MTO prior to this application being considered. Mr. Bateman advised that staff considered will ensure that the applicant will have to address MTO requirements. Mr. Head spoke in support of the staff recommendation noting that the sign can not be erected if MTO approval is not given. Moved by Mr. A. Head Seconded by Mr. M. Hiscott That the application of GPM Managed Investments Inc. requesting permission to cover approximately 70% of the easterly wall of the arena with a series of mural signs rather than the permitted 30% coverage, with there being no space between each of these signs rather than the required separation of 0.3m X0.98'), on Part dots 8 & 9, Beasley's Broken Front Concession, 35 Sportsworld Crossing (100 Sportsworld Drive), Kitchener, Ontario, BE APPROVED, subject to the following conditions: 1. That the owner shall obtain sign permits from the City of Kitchener and the Ministry of Transportation, and, COMMITTEE OF ADJUSTMENT 3 FEBRUARY 17, 2008 1. Submission No. SG 2009-001 ~Cont'd~ 2. That the owner shall obtain an occupancy permit from the Planning Division for the business to be advertised "Hockey Life". 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 10:05 a.m. Dated at the City of Kitchener this 17th day of February, 2009. Dianne H. Gilchrist Secretary-Treasurer Committee of Adjustment