SIGN VARIANCE COMMITTEE
Posted: Sun Oct 23, 2022 2:40 pm
Text by Kurt Kraler
The Sign Variance Committee makes decisions on signs that deviate from the signage requirements set out in Chapter 694 of the Toronto Municipal Code. The Committee reviews and makes decisions on variance applications for both first- and third-party signs. First-party signs identify a business or service on the same premises where the sign is located and third-party signs advertise goods or services not related to the premises where the sign is located, most commonly billboards. The Committee also reviews appeals of the Chief Building Official’s (CBO) decisions on variance applications for first-party signs. In considering a variance application or an appeal of the CBO’s decision, the Committee can make one of three decisions; they may decide to grant a variance, either with or without conditions, or outright refuse to grant a variance altogether.
The Committee itself consists of five members of the public who are appointed by City Council through the City’s Public Appointments process. Members of the general public are welcome to apply for a position through the City’s online portal when positions become available. In order to qualify however, applicants must have a knowledge in one or more of the following subject areas; law, planning, architecture, government, economic development, community development, land development or citizen advocacy. To avoid potential conflicts of interest, members are ineligible for appointment to the committee if they are associated with an advertising, communications, media relations agency or some other media-related business.
Current members of the committee include a lawyer, a planner, an architect, and a Tribunal Officer for the Immigration and Refugee Board. One member in particular, entrepreneur Brian Huskins, holds a prestigious Queen Elizabeth II Diamond Jubilee Medal for his contributions to the community while advocating for HIV/AIDS patients in the public health sector. Committee members serve a 4-year term and typically meet six times a year. They are paid a small stipend for their time.
A Sign Variance approval is required for a sign that does not comply with the provisions of the City of Toronto Sign By-law. For a successful application, it must be established that the proposed sign (or signs) adequately addresses a broad range of criteria. For starters, the sign type must already be permitted within the bounds of the particular sign district and is compatible with the development and the surrounding area. The proposed sign must also not adversely affect the adjacent premises, public safety, or the unique character of the neighbourhood. It also needs to comply with the Official Plan objectives and be of the opinion of the Chief Building Inspector that it is not contrary to the public interest. If a proposed sign is not permitted within the district, a separate Sign By-law Amendment is required. These applications are reviewed once annually by the Planning & Growth Management Committee (PGM) and not the Sign Variance Committee.
Once an application is received, a notice of the variance application is required to be posted on-site at least 30 days prior to the hearing. Notices are also circulated to all properties in the area as well as the Ward Councillor to encourage public feedback.
To maintain the unique signage characteristics of various Toronto neighbourhoods, sign districts were implemented which provide exemptions to the broader sign by-law. This patchwork of districts includes areas like Yonge-Dundas Square, The Gardiner Expressway, Downtown Yonge Street, City Hall Nathan Phillips Square, the University Avenue Institutional District, and Chinatown West. [SHOW MAP OF SPECIAL SIGN DISTRICTS]
In a recent decision, the Sign Variance Committee unanimously approved a large electronic video display that was proposed by media conglomerate, Branded Cities. The billboard would span 8 storeys and is located directly behind the Yonge-Dundas Square performance stage on the CityTV building. The argument presented to the Committee was that the new billboard was not a new addition as it was replacing two existing, conventional, illuminated billboards. It was also noted that the new video display was keeping with the character of the Square given the plethora of other digital billboards already present.
The Sign Variance Committee makes decisions on signs that deviate from the signage requirements set out in Chapter 694 of the Toronto Municipal Code. The Committee reviews and makes decisions on variance applications for both first- and third-party signs. First-party signs identify a business or service on the same premises where the sign is located and third-party signs advertise goods or services not related to the premises where the sign is located, most commonly billboards. The Committee also reviews appeals of the Chief Building Official’s (CBO) decisions on variance applications for first-party signs. In considering a variance application or an appeal of the CBO’s decision, the Committee can make one of three decisions; they may decide to grant a variance, either with or without conditions, or outright refuse to grant a variance altogether.
The Committee itself consists of five members of the public who are appointed by City Council through the City’s Public Appointments process. Members of the general public are welcome to apply for a position through the City’s online portal when positions become available. In order to qualify however, applicants must have a knowledge in one or more of the following subject areas; law, planning, architecture, government, economic development, community development, land development or citizen advocacy. To avoid potential conflicts of interest, members are ineligible for appointment to the committee if they are associated with an advertising, communications, media relations agency or some other media-related business.
Current members of the committee include a lawyer, a planner, an architect, and a Tribunal Officer for the Immigration and Refugee Board. One member in particular, entrepreneur Brian Huskins, holds a prestigious Queen Elizabeth II Diamond Jubilee Medal for his contributions to the community while advocating for HIV/AIDS patients in the public health sector. Committee members serve a 4-year term and typically meet six times a year. They are paid a small stipend for their time.
A Sign Variance approval is required for a sign that does not comply with the provisions of the City of Toronto Sign By-law. For a successful application, it must be established that the proposed sign (or signs) adequately addresses a broad range of criteria. For starters, the sign type must already be permitted within the bounds of the particular sign district and is compatible with the development and the surrounding area. The proposed sign must also not adversely affect the adjacent premises, public safety, or the unique character of the neighbourhood. It also needs to comply with the Official Plan objectives and be of the opinion of the Chief Building Inspector that it is not contrary to the public interest. If a proposed sign is not permitted within the district, a separate Sign By-law Amendment is required. These applications are reviewed once annually by the Planning & Growth Management Committee (PGM) and not the Sign Variance Committee.
Once an application is received, a notice of the variance application is required to be posted on-site at least 30 days prior to the hearing. Notices are also circulated to all properties in the area as well as the Ward Councillor to encourage public feedback.
To maintain the unique signage characteristics of various Toronto neighbourhoods, sign districts were implemented which provide exemptions to the broader sign by-law. This patchwork of districts includes areas like Yonge-Dundas Square, The Gardiner Expressway, Downtown Yonge Street, City Hall Nathan Phillips Square, the University Avenue Institutional District, and Chinatown West. [SHOW MAP OF SPECIAL SIGN DISTRICTS]
In a recent decision, the Sign Variance Committee unanimously approved a large electronic video display that was proposed by media conglomerate, Branded Cities. The billboard would span 8 storeys and is located directly behind the Yonge-Dundas Square performance stage on the CityTV building. The argument presented to the Committee was that the new billboard was not a new addition as it was replacing two existing, conventional, illuminated billboards. It was also noted that the new video display was keeping with the character of the Square given the plethora of other digital billboards already present.