Development Services Committee

 

 

 

 

 

TO:

Mayor and Members of Council

 

 

 

 

FROM:

Jim Baird, Commisioner of Development Services; and

Andy Taylor, Commisioner of Corporate Services

 

 

 

 

PREPARED BY:

Elvio Valente, Supervisor of Zoning; and

Sheila Birrell, Town Clerk

 

 

 

 

DATE OF MEETING:

April 8th , 2003

 

 

 

 

SUBJECT:

Amendments to Sign By-Law (A Frame Signs)

 

 

 

 

RECOMMENDATIONS:

That a by-law be enacted to amend Sign By-Law No. 2002-94 to:

 

q       Provide for two-six month permits each year for A-frame signs on private property in Special Sign Districts subject to regulations set out in the proposed amendment, and individual approval by the Manager,  Heritage to ensure appropriateness within the Heritage Conservation Districts;

 

And that By-Law No. 2002-276, “A By-Law to Impose Fees or Charges for Services or Activities Provided or Done by the Town of Markham”, the Town of Markham’s by-law prescribing all fees and charges, be amended accordingly, to provide for the following licensing fees:

           

            Portable signs in a Special Sign District                          $ 150.00 for six months.

 

PURPOSE:

To report and recommend amendments to the Town of Markham Sign By-Law as a result of discussions at the Development Services Committee level and a public consultation process.

 

BACKGROUND:

At the February 18th Development Services Committee meeting, the Committee approved all recommendations in the report regarding amendments to the sign by-law (Schedule A), except for the ones relating to A-Frame signs.  These were referred  back to Development Services Committee for discussion on the rationale for allowing Special Sign Districts the option of having 2 six month permits per year as compared to the 42 days that apply to the remainder of the Town.

 

OPTIONS/DISCUSSION:

The following comments are offered by way of explanation for the recommendations:

 

The Sign By-law greatly restricts permanent signs in Special Sign Districts (Heritage Districts).  The by-law permits wall signs outside the Special Sign Districts to be calculated at a greater area, per linear metre of building facade, than those within them.  Also, the total maximum permitted area for wall signs is greater for signs outside Special Sign Districts.  The size differences shown in the table are  significant.  These differences are deliberate and are intended to maintain the special character of these areas.  Another distinction is the fact that internally illuminated signs are not permitted in Special Sign Districts.

 

REQUIREMENT

ALL AREAS EXCEPT SPECIAL SIGN DISTRICTS

SPECIAL SIGN DISTRICTS

DIFFERENCE

 

 

 

 

Wall sign (area calculation)

0.75m2 per linear metre of building facade

0.25m2 per linear metre of building facade

   300 %

Wall sign (maximum area per sign)

35 m2

2.25 m2

1,555 %

Ground sign (single occupant with lot frontage less than 20m)

4.0 m2

1.5 m2

    267 %

Ground sign ( single occupant with lot frontage greater than 20m)

6.0 m2

1.5m2

    400 %

Ground sign (shopping centre minimum 45m frontage and lot area between 1 and 4 hectares)

10.0 m2

1.5m2

    667 %

Illumination

Internal illumination permitted

Internal illumination prohibited

 

 

Staff’s current recommendations are in line with The April 2001 Streetscape Guidelines prepared for the Markham Village Heritage District. 

 

The Guidelines state, “We recommend that portable signs be approved for use within the B.I.A. area.  They add diversity and uniqueness to the street.  They should be carefully crafted and detailed to respect the historical nature of the street and be restricted in size and use of materials. They should perhaps also be restricted in number at any one time (perhaps only one per business and placed out only on predesignated days) and located only in designated areas so as not to be

hazardous to pedestrians or drivers.  Portable signs should reflect the character and uniqueness of individual businesses and business owners.  They should be constantly changing and moving within the designated areas to add vitality to the street.  Collectively, such signs signal to patrons of the street that it is open for business.”

 

 

 

 

OPTIONS/DISCUSSION: (cont’d.)

 

The proposed amendment to the sign by-law will include provisions to:

q       Permit A-frame signs in heritage districts year round;

q       Require Heritage staff approval (Manager, Heritage may consult with heritage Markham should issues arise); and

q       Prohibit A-frame signs where a property already has a permanent ground sign.

 

These current requirements of Section 11.1 will continue to apply:

 

11.1     A portable sign shall be placed on private property only in accordance with the following requirements:

 

(a)     The sign contains no more than two (2) sign faces and each sign face does not exceed a maximum area of 0.6 m2; and

(b)     The sign does not exceed 0.6 metres in width and 0.9 metres in height; and

(c)     The sign is not illuminated in any manner; and

(d)     (this section will not be applicable);

(e)     The sign is not located within 3 metres (reduced from 10 metres for Special Sign Districts only) lateral distance from any other portable or mobile sign on the same lot or premises; and

(f)      The sign has affixed to it a sticker issued by the Town as evidence that a permit has been obtained under this By-law.

            (g)     The sign shall be removed and stored indoors each evening at business close.

 

The purpose and intent of the by-law will continue to be met because of these restrictions and the fact that some properties will not physically be able to accommodate this type of sign.  Applying these same regulations outside of Special Sign Districts would result in a conflict with the purpose and intent of the Sign By-law.

 

FINANCIAL CONSIDERATIONS:

The revised fee for A-frame signs in heritage districts necessitates a revision to the Town of Markham by-law prescribing all fees and charges.

In 2002, staff issued six permits for A-frame signs in heritage districts.  Little impact on the 2003 budget is anticipated.

 

BUSINESS UNITS CONSULTED AND AFFECTED:

Development Services Commission - Building Standards staff is responsible for the administration of the by-law as it relates to permanent signs on private property.

Corporate Services Commission – By-law Enforcement and Licensing staff are responsible for the permitting and enforcement of A-frame signs.

 

ATTACHMENTS:

Schedule “A” – REPORT TO Development Services Committee February 18, 2003

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

___________________________________                          ______________________________

John Wright                                                                              Jim Baird

Director of Building Services                                                     Commissioner of Development

                                                                                                Services

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Sheila Birrell                                                                                              

 

Andy Taylor                                 

Town Clerk                                                                              Commissioner of Corporate

                                                                                                Services