DEVELOPMENT VARIANCE PERMIT 2016/06 #110-21 Helmcken Road

TOWN OF VIEW ROYAL

Planning & Development Report

TO: Committee of the Whole DATE: May 5, 2016 FROM: J. Chow, Senior Planner MEETING DATE: May 10, 2016 FILE NO.: 3090-20-2016/06

DEVELOPMENT VARIANCE PERMIT 2016/06 #110-21 Helmcken Road

RECOMMENDATION:

That the May 5, 2016 report from the Senior Planner titled "Development Permit Variance Application 2016/06 - #110-21 Helmcken Road" be received.

CHIEF ADMINISTRATIVE OFFICER'S COMMENTS:

I concur with the recommendation.

DIRECTOR OF DEVELOPMENT SERVICES' COMMENTS:

I concur with the recommendation.

PURPOSE OF REPORT:

The purpose of this report is to introduce a development variance permit application to permit one additional fascia sign for Unit #110-21 Helmcken Road (Dollar Tree) at Eagle Creek Village shopping centre.

PROPOSAL:

Land Use Bylaw 1990, No. 35 permits one fascia sign and one logo sign per wall associated with each business on this property. The request is to permit one additional fascia sign on the south wall of the building as shown in Attachments 3-5.

The Dollar Tree store opening soon at Unit #110 will occupy three storefronts on the south face of the building and one storefront on the west face. The proposed additional fascia sign would be located on a building face that is not visible from the street. There is one approved fascia sign on the west face of the building. No logo signs are proposed.

ANALYSIS:

There are two main issues for this development variance permit application:

a) Is the requested variance supportable? b) What are the next steps for Council consideration of the application?

A. Is the requested variance supportable?

The applicant outlines the rationale for the request in Attachment 2. Aside from the three blank painted green strips shown Attachment 5 that are not consistent with any other storefronts in the shopping centre, the application can be supported for several reasons:

The Dollar Tree Store is a large retail unit that occupies three storefronts on the south face of the building and one on the west. Section 50 (2) of Land Use Bylaw 1990, No. 35 allows one fascia sign per wall associated with each business. If the variance is approved, there would be two fascia signs over three storefronts on the south face, which is less overall signage than if each storefront was a separate retail unit.
From a form and character perspective, the additional fascia sign would be in keeping with the character of the overall development and is not expected to be visually obtrusive. The location, size, materials and illumination of the signage would be consistent with the comprehensive sign plan in Development Permit 2013/04 as amended.

B. Next Steps

Pending any changes or the receipt of any additional relevant information that may be requested by Committee of the Whole arising from this report, Council may consider the application at an upcoming meeting following notification of residents and owners of nearby properties as required by the Local Government Act and Development Procedures Bylaw No. 730, 2009. Given that the proposal is straightforward and no offsite impacts are expected, notification has been conducted in advance for the May 17, 2016 Council meeting in anticipation of the store's opening.