HomeMy WebLinkAboutCS 43-09
REPORT TO.
EXECUTIVE COMMITTEE
I KERI Report Number: CS 43-09
Date: November 9, 2009 05
'
From: Gillis Paterson,
Director, Corporate Services & Treasurer
Subject: Application for Variance to Sign By-law 2493/87, as amended
Snap Fitness, 631 Kingston Road
File: L-2340
Recommendation:
THAT the application for variance to Sign By-law 2439/87, as amended, submitted by
Kathi Hall on behalf of Snap Fitness, for property municipally known as 631 Kingston
Road, be denied.
Executive Summary:
An application for a variance to Sign By-law 2439/87, as amended, has been submitted
by Kathi Hall on behalf of Snap Fitness for property municipally known as 631 Kingston
Road.
Financial Implications: Not applicable
Sustainability Implications: Not applicable
Background:
An application has been received by Kathi Hall on behalf of Snap Fitness, who are the
tenants at the property located at 631 Kingston Road. Snap Fitness is concerned about
the lack of lighting and the security for their co-ed fitness facility open 24/7.
The proposed sign has been placed over the existing awning as a cover, with
illumination. The sign is intended to provide sufficient illumination around the facility at
night to deter illegal activities. A request for a minor variance has been submitted to
allow the existing awning to be used for signage.
Comments from the Director of Planning & Development regarding each proposed sign
are as follows:
Report CS 43-09 November 9, 2009
Subject: Application for Minor Variance, Snap Fitness
06 - 631 Kingston Road Page 2
The proposed awning sign, identified on the photograph provided as Attachment 3,
replacing the existing awning sign, requires a variance as the sign was installed without
municipal approval and is in a location that we do not support. The commercial plaza
has an approved sign band to accommodate tenant. signage.
The applicants approach to achieve increased site security through the installation of
illuminating signage across the front of the unit is not considered appropriate and is not
supported. If enhanced site security is required, it should be provided by other means
of illumination and security features.
The request to allow the cover over the existing awning is not supported.
For additional information it should be noted that no complaints regarding this signage
have been received from the public, and inquiries have been received by other tenants
in.the plaza who wished to install similar signage as they liked the sign under review.
Attachments:
1. Application for variance to sign by-law as submitted by Kathi Hall.
2. Memorandum from Planning commenting on variance request.
3. Photographs showing proposed sign and existing signage on another unit.
Prepared By: Approved/Endorsed By:
Ki berly Tho pson, CMM I Debi A. Wilcox, CMO, CMM III
Manager, By-law Services City Clerk
Gillis Paterson,
Director, Corporate Services & Treasurer
Copy: Chief Administrative Officer
(Acting) Chief Administrative Officer
Recommended for the consideration
of Pickering City n
G` Zi~. "07
Th a J. Quinn, MR, M III
Chief Administrative Officer
CORP0227-07/01 revised
ATTACHMENU-1-TO REpt~1~2T c-s~ 3 - OR
4~.apfitness.com/pickering
d. 633 Kingston Rd 07
. Pickering, Ontario
fast -convenient affordable LIV 3N7
City of Pickering 905-420-5500
Ms. Debbie Wilcox3 j
One The Esplanade' }
Pickering, Ontario
CEP 2009
L1V6K7
Dear Debbie, CLEr I< ` r: la l.~ION
It has come to my attention that Snap Fitness requires a permit for the light awning that has been
installed at our location at 633 Kingston Road. I would like to take this opportunity to apologize
for not acquiring this permit prior to installation. It was a misunderstanding between the vendor
that we selected (Roberts Awnings and Signs) and ourselves and not intentional.
Prior to opening our business, we had several questions for the various businesses in the plaza
that we were considering to locate. One of our prime concerns was that of security for our co-ed
clientele, who would visit our facility at various hours of the day or night. Our main concern,
centered on the lack of lighting around the facility at night, which we felt was a safety concern,
especially for our female patrons. Our fitness facility is open twenty four (24) hours a day, seven
days a week.
Our concerns were well founded, as we discovered that both the Brick Mattress Shop, located in
our plaza and Wild Wings, had been broken into prior to our opening. It is also unfortunate to
note that within 3 months of our opening, Wild Wings (across the street from our facility) has
been broken into for a second time. This occurred even with 24 hour security patrolling their
plaza and apparently may have been for the theft of televisions in their restaurant. If is my firm
belief, that the existence of our illuminated awning is a deterrent to thieves. Our facility has five
(5) television sets and over $250,000 in fitness equipment.
The building and all tenants in our plaza currently have existing awnings above each of their
stores. In actual fact, the original awning has not been removed, we simply added a cover of
lights over the existing awning, without making any structural changes to the existing facade of
the building. The intention of the awning cover is to illuminate the front of the building. In
addition, we have taken additional measures to ensure our clients safety, through the installation
of interior security systems, alarm monitoring and frosting of the front windows.
To demonstrate the effects of the awning cover, I have enclosed a photo of the front of the gym
at night, as well as a picture of another business in our plaza at night without the lighting.
To conclude, we feel it is in the interest of public safety to continue to provide additional lighting
to our clientele fora secure and safe environment for people to attend the facility on a 24-7 basis.
Thank you for your consideration in this matter.
Sincerel
"J!
Kathi Hall
Be well.
;City o~
' - ATTACHMENT# a TO REPORT#
PI CKERI N G .~fo M 0
To: Debi A. Wilcox October 7, 2009
City Clerk
From: Neil Carroll
Director., Planning & Development
Subject: Application for a Minor Variance to Sign By-law 2439/87, as amended
Snap Fitness
631 Kingston Road
City of Pickering
File: L-3420-04-09
Further to our memorandum of February 20, 2009, we have reviewed the applicant's rationale
supporting their request for a variance from the sign by-law for this property and offer the following
comments.
Proposed Signage over Glass Awning
The applicant advises that the requested variance to the City's sign by-law is. necessary to ensure
public safety and security, and that the installed awning now provides sufficient illumination to
deter illegal activities.
Recommendation:
The applicant's approach to achieve increased site security through the installation of illuminating
signage across the front of the unit is not considered appropriate and is not supported. If
enhanced site security is required, it should be provided by other means of illumination- and
security features. If the applicant is concerned with the level of lighting currently provided on-site
they should discuss this matter with the landlord to determine an appropriate means of enhancing
security. Planning & Development staff are available to discuss this matter with the landlord if they
desire.
Previous comments outlined in our memorandum dated February 20, 2009, continue to reflect the
Department's position and are attached.
The Planning & Development does not support this variance request.
IMJ:TB:jf
J:UjanlonGSIGN PERMITS12004FAnem\.Snap Veriance(2).tloc - _
Attachment
707aP •'d- s n a p
Now va a /e
Msu. erships -
l