1159.05 SIGN DESIGN.
Review of proposed signs to determine compliance with Section 1159.05, subsections (a), (b), (c) and (d) hereof, is the sole responsibility of the Planning, Zoning and Building Division.
(a) Construction Requirements.
(1) General Safety Requirements. All signs shall be designed and constructed in a safe and stable manner in accordance with the City's adopted building code and electrical code. All electrical wiring associated with a freestanding sign shall be installed underground.
(2) Compliance with the Building Code. All signs shall be designed to comply with minimum wind pressure and other requirements set forth in the adopted building code.
(3) Supporting Framework. All signs shall be designed so that the supporting framework, other than the supporting poles on a freestanding sign, is contained within or behind the face of the sign or within the building to which it is attached so as to be totally screened from view.
(4) Materials. Signs shall be fabricated of quality, durable materials that are complementary to the building they are intended to serve. Noncombustible outdoor signs or display structures shall be provided where required. However, wood, plaster, or other material that is no more combustible than wood shall be permitted in the following locations:
A. For small ornamental moldings, cappings, nailing strips, individual letters, symbols, figures, and insignia.
B. On the face of a sign, provided that the aggregate area of all such facing shall not exceed one hundred (100) square feet.
(b) Illumination. The goal of these standards is to meet the needs of businesses and motorists, but avoid threats to traffic safety and aesthetics that may result from glaring undiffused lighting.
(1) Maximum Level of Illumination. A permanent sign in any district may be illuminated at night. Signs that are illuminated at night may not exceed a maximum luminance level of seven hundred fifty (750) cd/m2 or nits, regardless of the method of illumination. At sunrise, the sign may resume luminance levels appropriate for daylight conditions.
(2) Shielding. Signs that have external illumination, whether the lighting is mounted above or below the sign face or panel, shall have lighting fixtures or luminaires that are fully shielded.
(3) Temporary Signs. Temporary signs shall not be illuminated.
(4) Building Lighting. Building lighting for advertising purposes, including outline lighting of a building, is prohibited.
(c) Location.
(1) Setback. No sign shall be erected closer than ten (10) feet of any public right-of-way, except as specifically stated in this Ordinance (e.g., traffic and regulatory signs and directional signs exempted in Section 1159.04(a)).
(2) Prohibited Locations. No sign shall be placed, erected or maintained that would:
A. Obstruct any fire escape, window, door, or exit or entrance from any building;
B. Interfere with the protection of property by the Division of Fire;
C. Obstruct the view of traffic signals, railroad crossing signs, or other traffic control devices or signs;
D. Obstruct clear lines of sight for pedestrians or motorists at intersections or along any right-of-way; or
E. Otherwise create a potential safety hazard to motorists or pedestrians.
(d) Measurement.
(1) Ground and Planter Signs. The area of a ground or planter sign shall be the gross area of the sign face, exclusive of any decorative and supporting structures, determined as follows:
A. Where the sign face consists of a translucent, opaque, or other type of panel or panels, the sign area shall be the gross area of that panel or panels.
B. Where the sign face consists of individually attached letters, numbers, graphics, and/or symbols and characters, the sign area shall be the smallest rectangle required to enclose the letters, numbers, graphics, and/or symbols and characters.
C. Only one side of a double-faced sign shall be included in the measurement of sign area, provided that the two display faces are joined at an angle of no greater than fifteen degrees (15o).
D. Measurement of sign area shall not include the frame, coping, trim, structural supports, planter area, or other architectural elements outside the sign face, provided that the total area of such elements does not exceed the allowed sign area by more than fifty percent (50%).
(2) Wall Signs.
A. Where the sign face consists of a translucent, opaque, or other type of panel or panels, the sign area shall be the gross area of that panel or panels.
B. Where the sign face consists of individually attached letters, numbers, graphics, and/or symbols and characters, the sign area shall be the smallest rectangle required to enclose the letters, numbers, graphics, and/or symbols and characters.
(3) Awning and Canopy Signs. The sign area shall be the smallest rectangle required to enclose the letters, numbers, graphics, and/or symbols and characters on each side of the awning or canopy.
(4) General Requirements for Signs Not Listed. Where a sign consists of a generally flat surface on which lettering and other information is affixed (e.g., a window sign), the sign area shall be computed by measuring the entire face of the sign.
(5) Distance Measurements. The distance between a sign and a property or right-of-way line shall be measured along a straight horizontal line that represents the shortest distance between the sign and the building.
(6) Area Determination. The Director of Planning, Zoning & Building Division is given the authority to determine if a sign is being properly measured.
(e) Sign Features. The Architectural Board of Review is authorized to consider the following criteria when evaluating a proposed sign:
(1) Compatibility. To the extent that it is feasible, signs shall be designed to be compatible in character and style with other signs on the same building, same parcel, and adjoining buildings and parcels.
(2) Style and Color. To the extent that it is feasible, the style of a sign shall be compatible with the building it serves. In making this determination, the Architectural Board of Review may consider types of materials and colors. All signs shall have a non-glossy finish.
(3) Lettering. Sign lettering shall be large enough to be easily read by passing motorists, but not out of scale with respect to the total sign face. An excessive amount of information that creates clutter and could create a safety hazard to motorists or pedestrians is discouraged.
(4) Proprietary Marketing Sign Elements. Any trademarked symbol or representation, trade dress element or copyrighted symbol, as defined in 1159.04(h), shall be allowed to be incorporated into signage without alteration as to shape, colors or other characteristic.
(f) Landmark District and Historical Listed Property Evaluation Criteria. The Landmark Commission is authorized to consider the following criteria when evaluating signage in the Landmark District and for historical listed properties per Chapter 183 of the Aurora Codified Ordinances:
(1) Design. All signs must in their design and appearance complement the nineteenth century Western Reserve character of the district by incorporating design features characteristics of signs of the 1800s.
(2) Placement of Signs on Buildings. Signs should be designed and placed on buildings to be compatible with and complement the appearance of the building.
(3) Materials and Construction. All signs shall be framed, constructed, and erected so as to complement the overall appearance of the building and site as well as the overall appearance of the sign.
(4) Shapes. Early Western Reserve shapes, including features like a broken pediment, are preferred. Signs should be scaled and oriented to relate to pedestrians, as well as passing motorists, and signs should be sized to the scale of the building, the storefront, and the street.
(5) Color. A wide range of colors is historically appropriate to allow expression of individuality while being appropriate to the buildings that are landmarks or are located within the Landmark District and individually listed historic properties.
(6) Lettering. Lettering shall be in traditional nineteenth century letter styles. Signs could also include some sanserif fonts but primarily serif.
(7) Logos and Illustrations. Logos and illustrations are permissible provided that they conform in color and design to the sign regulations, and their presence is compatible with and proportionate to the architectural style or character of the sign.
(8) Illumination. No sign shall be illuminated from within or behind. Illumination shall be by properly shielded lights focused directly on the sign. (Ord. 2013-128. Passed 3-10-14.)