§ 610. North Central Overlay District Signs.

610.1.   Purpose.

The purpose of this section is to provide standards for the design and construction of signs in the North Central Overlay District to reflect the character of the community and to be expressive of individual businesses.

610.2.   Applicability.

The provisions of this Section shall apply to new and replacement signs within the North Central Overlay District, as outlined in the Official Zoning Atlas. In the event of a conflict between other provisions of this Code and this Section, the more restrictive of the provisions shall prevail. Government signs are exempt from this Section.

610.3.   Prohibited Sign Types.

In addition to the sign types prohibited in this Chapter, the following sign types which are not representative of the character in the North Central Area are prohibited:

A.

Pole signs.

B.

Changeable copy signs, if message is changed electronically only.

C.

Fluorescent signs.

D.

Neon signs, except those denoting incidental information when designed within the area of a permitted sign type and occupying no more than four (4) square feet of sign area. Neon may not be used for architectural accent purposes.

610.4.   Standards.

A.

Generally. Signs in the NCOD shall conform to the following standards in addition to, and subject to, the requirements of this Chapter, and applicable development approvals.

1.

Permitted signs shall include those classified as being on-site, temporary, exempt, or subdivision.

2.

The total area of all sign faces on a sign shall not exceed one hundred (100) square feet.

3.

Sign materials, colors, and shapes considered for approval must be architecturally consistent with the building they identify. Architectural consistency includes compatibility of forms, materials, finishes, and colors.

4.

Residential subdivision signs shall conform to the sign matrix of this Code.

B.

Ground signs. Ground signs shall be designed and constructed to complement the architectural character of on-site buildings that conform to these design standards by using natural materials, direct lighting, and limiting the size and number of signs. Address information shall be provided on signs to assist drivers in finding businesses.

1.

Maximum sign area and height shall be as follows:

Table 6-2: North Central Overlay District Maximum Sign Area & Height

Specification	Length of Roadway Frontage
	<300 Linear Feet	300—600 Linear Feet	>600+ Linear Feet
Maximum Sign Area	60 sf	80 sf	100 sf
Maximum Sign Height	8 ft.	12 ft.	16 ft.

 

2.

The exterior base structure shall be made or faced with natural materials such as native stone, brick, wood, or timber materials.

3.

Ground signs shall include a street address number or range of address numbers for the building(s) it identifies and shall be considered as a part of the sign area.

4.

One (1) ground sign is allowed for each road frontage per premises, regardless of the length of roadway frontage. In the case of a shopping center with freestanding buildings, each freestanding building may be permitted a separate ground sign provided the outparcel has a minimum of one hundred (100) feet of frontage on the roadway where the sign is located.

5.

Ground signs shall be set back a minimum of twelve (12) feet from the front lot line and ten (10) feet from side and rear lot lines.

6.

For properties abutting residential districts, ground signs shall be set back twenty-five (25) feet from the residential district.

7.

The use of roof, capital, landscape, or base design detail on signs is encouraged.

8.

Landscaping is encouraged in the area surrounding the sign base.