That the Development Services Committee recommend to City Council:
Whereas, Spectra Venue Management (Spectra) manages the Tribute Communities Centre (T.C.C.) on behalf of the City of Oshawa; and,
Whereas, on January 24, 2022, Spectra submitted correspondence (see Attachment 1) seeking to explore the possibility of removing the video sign board at 99 Athol Street East which is at the end of its life cycle and replacing it with a new High Definition LED video sign board in a new more visible location; and,
Whereas, Spectra has identified the west façade of the Mary Street Parking Garage located at the northeast corner of King Street East and Mary Street North as an appropriate location for the new High Definition LED video sign board (see Attachment 1); and,
Whereas, Spectra has clarified that the new High Definition LED video sign board would primarily advertise upcoming events such as Oshawa Generals games but would also include third party advertising for T.C.C. sponsor recognition (i.e. Tribute, Pizza Pizza, Coca-Cola); and,
Whereas, Spectra has also clarified that the new High Definition LED video sign board would accommodate City of Oshawa public service announcements such as Program Registration or COVID-19 information; and,
Whereas, both the T.C.C. and the Mary Street Parking Garage are owned by the Corporation of the City of Oshawa; and,
Whereas, the Sign By-law 72-96, as amended, defines an Official Sign as any sign required by or erected on behalf of any federal, provincial, regional or municipal government or agency thereof or board or commission or public utility; and,
Whereas, a new video sign board at the Mary Street Parking garage would be considered an Official Sign; and,
Whereas, Article 3.5.1 of Sign By-law 72-96, as amended, permits the City to install an Official Sign on City property including projecting into a municipal road allowance; and,
Whereas, Article 3.11.1 of Sign By-law 72-96, as amended, permits a read-of-graph to be incorporated into a display surface as part of a permitted sign area for a fascia sign; and,
Whereas, the new High Definition LED video sign board proposed by Spectra is 6.09 metres (20 ft.) by 3.65 metres (14 ft.) (see Attachment 2); and,
Whereas, Article 3.12 of Sign By-law 72-96, as amended, provides that none of the provisions of Bylaw 72-96, as amended, apply to prevent the erection or display of any Official Sign; and,
Whereas, although Sign By-law 72-96, as amended, provides an exemption through Article 3.12.1, it is appropriate to seek Council direction on this matter owing to the third party advertising;
Therefore, be it resolved that Spectra Venue Management be advised that the City consents to a new High Definition LED video sign board, approximately 6.09 metres (20 ft.) by 3.65 metres (14 ft.) in size as shown generally on Attachments 1 and 2 to be installed at the Mary Street Parking Garage.