Report to: Development Services Committee Report Date:
SUBJECT: PRELIMINARY REPORT
Town-initiated
Sign By-law Amendment to Address Heritage Concerns
PREPARED BY: Peter Wokral, Heritage Planner ext. 7955
RECOMMENDATION:
1) That the report entitled “Town-initiated Sign By-Law Amendment to Address Heritage Concerns” be received;
2) That a Public Meeting be held to consider a Town-initiated By-law amendment to the Sign By-law regarding roof signs and signage located on properties designated under Part IV of the Ontario Heritage Act.
And that Staff be authorized and
directed to do all things necessary to give effect to this resolution.
PURPOSE:
The purpose of this report is to
provide information regarding a Town-initiated amendment to the Sign By-law to
address heritage concerns, and to recommend that Committee authorize the
scheduling of a Public Meeting.
BACKGROUND:
The Sign By-law was enacted in 2002
The Town’s Sign By-law (2002-94) was enacted in 2002 and regulates the size, placement, lighting, materials and types of signs in the Town. Section 10.0 (Special Sign Districts) of the Sign By-law regulates the types of signs that can be erected in the Town’s three heritage conservation districts, and the Buttonville heritage study area. The provisions of Section 10.0 encourage signs that are complementary to the unique heritage character of these areas. However, these provisions do not apply to heritage properties in commercial use outside of the Special Sign Districts.
The Town’s Sign By-law specifically prohibits Roof Signs
Along with several other forms of
signage, roof signs are specifically prohibited in all areas of the Town by the
Sign By-law. The Sign By-law defines a roof
sign as any sign that is supported entirely or partly by the roof of a building
or structure, and which the sign projects above the roof and parapet. However, the use of roof signs may be
appropriate in some limited heritage situations, as they are a form of signage
that was historically used in the
OPTIONS/ DISCUSSION:
Roof Signs should be permitted in certain heritage circumstances
In an effort to enhance and preserve the heritage character of the Town’s heritage conservation districts and study areas, the provisions of Section 10.0 (Special Sign Districts) are more restrictive in terms of the types, size, illumination, materials, and location of signs. For some building owners, these provisions can be limiting in their ability to erect effective signage. In the case of the heritage building located at 2977 16th Avenue, the prohibition of roof signage has resulted in a sign that meets the provisions of Section 10.0 but is both unsatisfactory functionally and inappropriate from a heritage perspective because it blocks significant views to the front door. (See Figure 2)
Roof signs could be permitted in
cases where there is archival photographic evidence of a building once having
roof signs, and in cases where the opportunities for other forms of signage,
such as wall signs is limited by the architecture of the building. The size and placement of roof signs could be
based on the provisions contained in Section 10.0 (Special Sign Districts)
regarding wall signs. Figure 3
illustrates an appropriate roof sign for the heritage building located at
As well as increasing the signage opportunities for heritage properties, permitting roof signs would also improve the authenticity of the Town’s commercial heritage properties. By only permitting roof signs through Section 10.0 of the Sign By-law, roof signs could only be used in a heritage context and they would still be prohibited on all other properties in the Town. The support for using roof signs would be contingent upon the sign’s compatibility with the building and the heritage context.
Special Sign Districts policies should be extended to individually
designated properties
The provisions of Section 10.0
(Special Sign Districts) only apply to properties within the Town’s three heritage
conservation districts and the Buttonville heritage study area. For commercial heritage properties located
outside of these areas, the regular policies of the Sign By-law apply. Having different provisions for the signage
associated with indivi
By amending Section 10.0 to permit
roof signs in certain circumstances, roof signs would also become an option for
some indivi
Heritage
At their January 13th meeting, Heritage Markham supported the proposed amendments to the Sign By-law recommended by Heritage Section Staff (See Appendix ‘A’)
A Public Meeting is required
To amend the Sign By-law, the Town
must hold a public meeting.
FINANCIAL CONSIDERATIONS AND TEMPLATE: (external link)
“Not Applicable”
HUMAN
RESOURCES CONSIDERATIONS
“Not Applicable”
ALIGNMENT WITH STRATEGIC PRIORITIES:
Heritage conservation and the integration of heritage resources into new development is part of the Town’s Growth management Plan. Improving the authenticity and quality of signage associated with heritage buildings and structures strengthens and enriches Town heritage initiatives.
BUSINESS UNITS CONSULTED AND AFFECTED:
The Zoning Section has
provided input into the proposed By-law amendment and has reviewed this report.
RECOMMENDED BY:
________________________________ ________________________________
Valerie Shuttleworth, MCIP, RPP Jim Baird, MCIP, RPP
Director of Planning & Urban Design Commissioner of Development Services
ATTACHMENTS:
Figure
1 Archival
Photographs of Roof Signs in
Figure 2 Photograph of
Figure 3 Illustration of an appropriate Roof Sign.
Appendix ‘A’