An interesting post from Jonathan Goldsbie on the Spacing Wire:

At 6 a.m. on Wednesday, IllegalSigns.ca appeared on CBC Radio’s Metro Morning [Windows Media Audio] with City Councillor Doug Holyday, the former mayor of Etobicoke, to discuss what had just happened at Etobicoke York Community Council.
On Tuesday, Etobicoke York Community Council, living up to its reputation, approved a variance to build a 14′x48′ Pattison Outdoor [...]

Media Release, June 5, 2009
Billboard Companies Flooding City With Variance Applications to Avoid New Community Notification Procedures
Applications to build four double-sided LED video screens along the QEW will be heard by Etobicoke York Community Council on a delegated basis on June 9. In addition, five other QEW billboards are up for approval at the same [...]

This was Abcon Outdoor’s plan to build two 14′x48′ billboards in Councillor Michael Walker’s ward at Yonge and Eglinton:

The billboards would incorporate a depiction of Charles Ebbetts’ “Lunch atop a Skyscraper.” Abcon Media was shot down by the local residents association and the local City Councillor after producing this lengthy presentation [PDF]:

After being rejected in [...]

The variance process for third-party signs is out of control. Signs that have no relation whatsoever to the intent of the signs by-laws are routinely granted approvals.
This is what 2382 Keele Street looks like today:

Pattison Outdoor will be building a 12′x16′ billboard on the front lawn of this house thanks to Councillor Frank Di Giorgio and [...]