Application for One Variance, Each Subject to Three Conditions, Respecting One Third Party Electronic Ground Sign - 3493 Kingston Road

A variance is required to permit the erection and display of a sign type that is not permitted in the CR Sign District. The Proposed Sign would have a maximum height of 2.65 meters from grade. It would contain two rectangular sign faces in a back-to-back configuration, oriented northeast and southwest, perpendicular to Kingston Road. Each sign face would measure 0.93 metres by 1.65 metres, resulting in a sign face area of 1.54 square metres. Further details of the Proposed Sign are provided in Attachment 1. The Applicant's Submissions indicate that the Proposed Sign would be affixed to a structure that also features an electric vehicle charging station (the "EV charging station"). As Chapter 694 exclusively regulates signs, this report focuses solely on the components associated to the Proposed Sign. All aspects related to the EV charging station, including relevant laws and regulations, are excluded from the scope of this report. Following a review of the Applicant's submissions and additional information provided by staff, the CBO has determined that there is not a sufficient basis to conclude that the eight required criteria in §694-30A of the Sign By-law have been established with respect to the one variance, subject to three conditions, as described further in Attachment 1 of this report. Specifically, based on the CBO's assessment the submitted materials do not adequately demonstrate that the Proposed Sign is compatible with the development of the premises and surrounding area, supports the objectives of the Official Plan, not alters the character of the area, or aligns with the public interest, and not be a sign prohibited by §694-15B. The latter criterion - prohibition under §694-15B - is evaluated on a binary (yes/no) basis, and failure to meet this single requirement constitutes sufficient grounds for refusal of the variance application.