(a) Definition: As used in this section, “Downtown Historic District” means that area of the City designated as such on the map attached as Exhibit A hereto and in general the boundaries of which are: Cleveland Ave. & Washington St. west to Beaver Court, Beaver Court east to S. Main St., S. Main St. south to Franklin Ave., Franklin Ave., east to Church St. north on Church St. to Tenney Ave., east on Tenney Ave., to Spring St., north on Spring St. to Park Ave., east on Park Ave., to Jackson St. (including Funeral Home and Amherst Memorial), west on Park Ave., to Forest St., Forest St. north to Cleveland Ave. (Not inclusive of Board of Education administration offices). In the event of a conflict between the configuration of the Downtown Home District as depicted on Exhibit A and that contained within the above boundaries, the depiction on Exhibit A shall control.
(b) Application for Sign: Before any exterior sign is erected, constructed, reconstructed, replaced, or modified in the Downtown Historic District and before any sign is painted on or adhered to the glass of any building in the Downtown Historic District, an application must be filed with the Building Department. The application will be reviewed by the Building Official to determine the scope of work proposed to be completed and forwarded to the Design Review Board as established pursuant to Chapter 1350 (the “DRB”) if required. The application shall be accompanied by a full and accurate description of the size, attachment method, materials color, illumination and any other items deemed necessary by the Building Department or DRB. Items relating to an organization’s specific branding to be included on proposed signage (e.g., colors, logs, lettering style, etc.) or refacing of a sign within the existing sign’s structure or framework shall be exempt from DRB review.
(c) Decision of DRB. The DRB shall make its decision within seven (7) working days after the application required by subsection (b) is first considered by the DRB at a regular or special meeting. Any rejection by the DRB shall describe the basis for such finding, and the person or entity aggrieved by the decision of the DRB may appeal the decision to the Board of Zoning Appeals within ten (10) days of such DRB decision.
(d) Permitted Signs: No new signs, including replacements of existing signs, shall be permitted in the Downtown Historic District, except as follows:
(1) Wall signs: Wall signs otherwise permitted by the other sections of this chapter shall be permitted.
(2) Directory signs: Each building may have one (1) directory sign per entrance, in addition to the above wall sign, that shall provide not more than two (2) square feet of area for each building occupant. Directory signs shall be mounted flat against the face of the building like a wall sign.
(3) Painted window signs: Professionally prepared window signs otherwise permitted by other sections in this chapter shall be permitted.
(4) Perpendicular Projecting signs: One projecting sign shall be allowed for each business occupying a building, subject to the following conditions:
A. Maximum area: six (6) square feet per side, twelve (12) square feet total.
B. Minimum vertical clearance to grade, eight (8) feet.
C. Maximum horizontal projection from face of building: three (3) feet.
D. May not project above the roofline of the building to which it is attached.
E. Each applicant must sign an agreement holding the City of Amherst harmless from any liability resulting from accident or injury caused by erection and maintenance of such sign(s) and must provide throughout the time that such sign(s) exist proof of insurance in the amount of one hundred thousand dollars ($100,000) designating the City as an additional insured.
F. No neon signs.
(5) Sidewalk sandwich board signs: One (1) sandwich board sign shall be allowed for each building entrance, subject to the following conditions:
A. Placement: Sign to be within 3' 6" of the face of the building and within the building corners as measured at right angles perpendicular to the corners and not placed in the roadway or within 4 feet of the interior curb edge of the public sidewalk so as to inhibit the required public walking path.
B. Each applicant must sign an agreement holding the City of Amherst harmless from any liability resulting from accident or injury caused by the erection, placement and maintenance of such sign(s) and must provide, throughout the time such sign(s) are placed on the public sidewalk, proof of insurance in the amount of one hundred thousand dollars ($100,000.00) designating the City as an additional insured.
(e) Prohibited Signs: All animated signs (blinking lights or moving parts), all mobile or portable banners, pennants and streamers, and all signs that interpret movement of any kind are prohibited in the Downtown Historic District unless the design is based on a historic sign of that building. Exception: Banners attached to the historic lamp posts or other city-owned property as installed by the City and approved by the DRB.
(f) Additional Requirements. The following additional requirements apply to signs in the Downtown Historic District:
(1) All signs shall conform to the sign ordinances of the City of Amherst, as amended by this section.
(2) Existing signs of particular historic or architectural merit should be preserved.
(3) Signs identifying the name of the building, the date of construction or other historical information of a building shall be composed of materials similar to the building or of tranditional plaque materials such as bronze or brass. These building identification signs should be affixed flat against the building and should not obscure architectural details elements.
(4) Signs should be subordinate to the building facade. The size and scale of the sign shall be in proportion to the size and scale of the street level facade.
(5) Storefront signs should typically be located in the transom area and should not extend past the storefront opening.
(6) Signs should reflect the overall symmetry of the building and should not cover architectural detail.
(7) Signs for multiple storefronts within the same building should align with each other.
(Ord. 16-19. Passed 5-23-16.)
(Ord. 16-19. Passed 5-23-16.)