Item - 2015.PG1.2
Tracking Status
- City Council adopted this item on February 10, 2015 without amendments.
- This item was considered by Planning and Growth Management Committee on January 8, 2015 and was adopted with amendments. It will be considered by City Council on February 10, 2015.
- See also By-law 253-2015
PG1.2 - Enforcement Strategy for Chapter 694, Signs, General of the Municipal Code
- Decision Type:
- ACTION
- Status:
- Adopted
- Wards:
- All
City Council Decision
City Council on February 10 and 11, 2015, adopted the following:
1. City Council amend the City of Toronto Municipal Code Chapter 694, Signs, General, substantially in accordance with the draft amendments attached as Appendix 1 to the report (December 8, 2014) from the Chief Building Official and Executive Director, Toronto Building.
2. City Council authorize the City Solicitor to prepare the necessary Bills for introduction in Council to implement Council's decision, subject to such stylistic and technical changes to the draft bills as may be required.
Public Notice Given
Background Information (Committee)
https://www.toronto.ca/legdocs/mmis/2015/pg/bgrd/backgroundfile-74366.pdf
(December 8, 2014) Appendix A - Proposed Amendments to Chapter 694, Signs, General
https://www.toronto.ca/legdocs/mmis/2015/pg/bgrd/backgroundfile-74367.pdf
Public Notice
https://www.toronto.ca/legdocs/mmis/2015/pg/bgrd/backgroundfile-74457.pdf
Communications (Committee)
https://www.toronto.ca/legdocs/mmis/2015/pg/comm/communicationfile-50575.pdf
(January 8, 2015) Letter from Michael Binetti, Affleck Green McMurtry, LLP, on behalf of Clear Channel Outdoor Company Canada (PG.New.PG1.2.2)
https://www.toronto.ca/legdocs/mmis/2015/pg/comm/communicationfile-50577.pdf
Motions (City Council)
Vote (Adopt Item) Feb-11-2015 9:51 AM
| Result: Carried | Majority Required - PG1.2 - Adopt the item |
|---|---|
| Total members that voted Yes: 34 | Members that voted Yes are Paul Ainslie, Ana Bailão, Jon Burnside, John Campbell, Christin Carmichael Greb, Shelley Carroll, Gary Crawford, Joe Cressy, Janet Davis, Glenn De Baeremaeker, Justin J. Di Ciano, Frank Di Giorgio, Sarah Doucette, Rob Ford, Mary Fragedakis, Mark Grimes, Stephen Holyday, Jim Karygiannis, Norman Kelly, Mike Layton, Josh Matlow, Pam McConnell, Mary-Margaret McMahon, Joe Mihevc, Denzil Minnan-Wong, Ron Moeser, Frances Nunziata (Chair), Cesar Palacio, James Pasternak, Gord Perks, David Shiner, Michael Thompson, John Tory, Kristyn Wong-Tam |
| Total members that voted No: 0 | Members that voted No are |
| Total members that were Absent: 11 | Members that were absent are Maria Augimeri, Michelle Berardinetti, Raymond Cho, Josh Colle, Vincent Crisanti, John Filion, Paula Fletcher, Chin Lee, Giorgio Mammoliti, Anthony Perruzza, Jaye Robinson |
PG1.2 - Enforcement Strategy for Chapter 694, Signs, General of the Municipal Code
- Decision Type:
- ACTION
- Status:
- Amended
- Wards:
- All
Public Notice Given
Committee Recommendations
The Planning and Growth Management Committee recommends that:
1. City Council amend the City of Toronto Municipal Code Chapter 694, Signs, General, substantially in accordance with the draft amendments attached as Appendix 1 of the report (December 8, 2014) from the Chief Building Official and Executive Director, Toronto Building;
2. City Council authorize the City Solicitor to prepare the necessary Bills for introduction in Council to implement the above recommendations, subject to such stylistic and technical changes to the draft bills as may be required.
Decision Advice and Other Information
The Planning and Growth Management Committee:
1. Requested the Chief Building Official and Executive Director, Toronto Building to report to the Planning and Growth Management Committee in the Spring of 2017 with an update on ongoing Chapter 694 Enforcement efforts.
2. Referred the following Recommendation 2 of the report (December 8, 2014) from the Chief Building Official and Executive Director, Toronto Building back for further consideration and consultation with stakeholders and members of the public:
"2. City Council request that the Province of Ontario amend the City of Toronto Act, 2006 to remove the limitation contained in Subsection 110(1) that a City by-law respecting advertising devices, including signs, does not apply to an advertising device that was lawfully erected or displayed on the day the by-law comes into force unless the advertising device is not substantially altered".
3. Requested the Chief Building Official and Executive Director, Toronto Building to report back to the Planning and Growth Management Committee on April 13, 2015 with respect to:
a. Requesting that the Province of Ontario amend the City of Toronto Act, 2006 to remove the limitation contained in Subsection 110(1).
b. Recommendations on how the city should address existing non-conforming signs should Subsection 110(1) of the City of Toronto Act be repealed, or otherwise amended.
4. Requested Chief Building Official and Executive Director, Toronto Building to use all available measures to enforce the City Sign by-law in the "North York Study Area" and report to the Planning and Growth Management Committee meeting on April 13, 2015.
5. Requested the Chief Building Official and Executive Director, Toronto Building to report back to the Planning and Growth Management Committee on February 24, 2015 on whether adequate resources have been budgeted in 2015 to enforce the City's sign by-laws.
Origin
Summary
This report responds to direction for staff to report back to the Planning and Growth Management Committee on a strategy to improve the enforcement of Chapter 694 of the Municipal Code, Signs, General ("Chapter 694").
The direction related to a perceived increase in the number of illegal signs in some areas of the city, the majority of which are used to identify and advertise a business at the premise where the sign is located. These signs are defined by Chapter 694 as first party signs. Investigations indicate that a significant proportion are being displayed or modified without a sign permit.
Staff have found that many business owners in the city are not aware of Chapter 694 and the need for sign permits. Based on experience in enforcing the regulations, most business owners seem willing to comply with Chapter 694 and either obtain the necessary sign permits or remove the sign once they are aware of the requirements. As a result, this report recommends a combination of measures to enhance communications with business owners and to provide a more effective enforcement response to illegal signs.
This report also recommends that City Council request the Province to amend the City of Toronto Act, 2006 to remove the limitation in Subsection 110(1) preventing the application of Chapter 694 to signs lawfully displayed on the day the bylaw comes into force. This amendment would result in much more consistency with the current regulations, for all signs in the city.
Background Information
https://www.toronto.ca/legdocs/mmis/2015/pg/bgrd/backgroundfile-74366.pdf
(December 8, 2014) Appendix A - Proposed Amendments to Chapter 694, Signs, General
https://www.toronto.ca/legdocs/mmis/2015/pg/bgrd/backgroundfile-74367.pdf
Public Notice
https://www.toronto.ca/legdocs/mmis/2015/pg/bgrd/backgroundfile-74457.pdf
Communications
https://www.toronto.ca/legdocs/mmis/2015/pg/comm/communicationfile-50575.pdf
(January 8, 2015) Letter from Michael Binetti, Affleck Green McMurtry, LLP, on behalf of Clear Channel Outdoor Company Canada (PG.New.PG1.2.2)
https://www.toronto.ca/legdocs/mmis/2015/pg/comm/communicationfile-50577.pdf
Speakers
Stephen McGregor, Outfront Media Canada
Rosanne Caron, President, Out-of-Home Marketing Association of Canada
Karin Eaton, Director, Government Relations, Sign Association of Canada
Motions
That the Planning and Growth Management Committee:
1. Adopt recommendations 1, 3, and 4 contained in the staff report;
2. Refer Recommendation 2 back to the Chief Building Official and Executive Director, Toronto Building for further consideration and consultation; and,
3. Request the Chief Building Official and Executive Director, Toronto Building to report back to the Planning and Growth Management Committee in Spring of 2015 with respect to:
a. Requesting that the Province of Ontario amend the City of Toronto Act, 2006 to remove the limitation contained in Subsection 110(1)
b. Recommendations on how the city should address existing non-conforming signs should Subsection 110(1) of the City of Toronto Act be repealed, or otherwise amended.
That Councillor Shiner's motion 1 be amended by:
1. Adding to recommendation 2 of this motion "with stakeholders and members of the public" following "consultation".
2. Replacing "in Spring of" in recommendation 3 of this motion with "on April 13,".
That:
1. Staff report back to the Planning and Growth Management Committee on February 24, 2015 on whether adequate resources have been budgeted in 2015 to enforce the City's sign by-laws.
2. Staff use all available measures to enforce the City Sign by-law in the "North York Study Area" and report to the Planning and Growth Management Committee meeting on April 13, 2015.