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Home My WebLink AboutCS 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