The proposed general design, arrangement, placement and construction of the sign shall be consistent with the intent, purposes, standards, and criteria of these sign regulations. Specific criteria for evaluating signs shall include, but not be limited, to the following:
(a) Design Standards.
(1) The lettering shall be large enough to be easily read but not overly large or out of scale with the building or site.
(2) The number of items, letters, symbols and shapes shall be consistent with the amount of information which can be comprehended by the viewer, reflect simplicity, avoid visual clutter and improve legibility.
(3) The shape of the sign shall be simple, and the sign should be consolidated into a minimum number of elements.
(4) A ratio between the message and the background shall permit easy recognition of the message.
(5) The size, style and location of the sign shall be appropriate to the activity of the site.
(6) The sign shall complement the building and adjacent buildings by being designed and placed to enhance the architecture. The sign shall also have a minimum of advertising and reflect the primary purpose of identifying the name and type of establishment.
(7) Signs shall have an appropriate contrast and be designed with a limited number of, and harmonious use of, colors.
(8) Signs, if seen in series, shall have a continuity of design with the style of sign generally consistent throughout the building or block.
(9) A sign should be constructed with a minimum of different types of material so as to provide a consistent overall appearance.
(b) Illumination. Signs in Residential Districts shall not be illuminated, except for bulletin boards, subdivision signs and identification signs for institutions. Unless otherwise specified, all signs in Business, Office and Industrial Districts may be illuminated. Except for illumination required for safety purposes, such lighting shall be permitted only during the hours the establishment is in operation.
(1) Signs may be illuminated by internally or reflected light provided that:
A. Light sources shall be shielded from all adjacent buildings and streets.
B. Light sources to illuminate signs or other advertising displays located inside or outside of buildings shall not be of excessive brightness or cause glare hazardous to pedestrians or drivers or automobiles or be objectionable to adjacent Residential Districts.
C. Flashing, moving or intermittent illumination, beacon lights and outline lighting shall not be permitted, except for permitted time, temperature and message signs. The Planning Commission may, however, make a finding and permit such lighting as a special use.
(2) Signs visible from sight lines along streets shall not contain symbols or words that resemble highway traffic signs or devices and shall not be lighted to obstruct traffic control or any other public informational signs.
(c) Construction Standards.
(1) The construction, erection, safety and maintenance of signs shall comply with the Ohio Building Code and the Ohio Revised Code and be professionally constructed.
(2) Signs shall be located so as to pose no threat to pedestrian or vehicular traffic.
(3) All signs shall be rigidly secured and no sign shall swing from a bar, crane, awing or other sign. No part of any sign shall be revolving, oscillating or otherwise designed to move to attract attention.
(4) All freestanding signs shall have self-supporting structures erected on or permanently attached to concrete foundations.
(5) No sign shall be erected so as to obstruct any window, door, fire escape, balcony, platform, stairway, ladder, vent or other means of ingress of any building.
(6) No sign shall be located on the roof of any building.
(7) Signs shall be fabricated on and of material that are of good quality, good durability and are complimentary to the building of which they become a part.
(8) Signs shall be located in such a way as to maintain horizontal and vertical clearance of all overhead electrical conductors in accordance with National Electrical Code specifications, depending on voltages concerned. However, in no case shall a sign be installed closer than 12 inches horizontally or vertically from any conductor or public utility guy wire.
(9) Signs shall be structurally designed to withstand wind pressure of 30 pounds per square foot in any direction.
(Ord. 58-01. Passed 5-29-01.)