(a) A person shall not alter, place, maintain, expand, or remove a sign in this district without first obtaining a sign permit from the city, except that no sign permit is required for:
(1) governmental traffic signs; and
(2) promotional signs other than banners.
(b) The procedure for obtaining a sign permit is outlined in this section. Section 51A-7.602 does not apply to signs in this district.
(c) No sign permit may be issued to authorize a sign in this district unless the director has first issued a certificate of appropriateness in accordance with this section.
(d) There is hereby created a committee to be known as the Arts District Sign Review Committee (“the committee”). The committee shall be composed of five members appointed by the city plan commission. One member of the committee must be an architect or graphic designer. The commission shall solicit a list of nominees from entities operating in the Arts District. Appointments to the committee shall be for a term of two years ending on September 1 of each odd-numbered year, and the members shall serve without compensation. The commission may appoint up to three alternate members to the committee who serve in the absence of one more regular members when requested to do so by the chairperson or by the city manager. The alternate members serve for the same period and are subject to removal the same as regular members. The commission shall fill vacancies occurring in the alternate membership the same as in the regular membership.
(e) The committee shall meet upon the call of the chair or a simple majority of the committee members. A simple majority of members present shall constitute a quorum, and issues shall be decided by a simple majority vote of the members present. The department shall furnish staff support to the committee.
(f) The function of the committee shall be to familiarize itself thoroughly with the character, special conditions, and economics of the Arts District. In addition, the committee shall provide guidance, advice, and assistance to the director in reviewing applications for permits to authorize signs in this district.
(g) Section 51A-7.504, which establishes the special sign district advisory committee for special provision sign districts in the city generally, does not apply to this district. The Arts District Sign Review Committee is the exclusive advisory committee for reviewing and making recommendations to the director concerning applications for permits to authorize signs in this district.
(h) Upon receipt of an application for a permit to authorize a sign in this district, the building official shall refer the application and plans to the director for a review to determine whether the work complies with this ordinance. The director shall conduct his or her review so that a decision on issuance of the permit can be made within 30 calendar days from the date the completed application is submitted to the building official.
(i) The director shall solicit a recommendation from the committee before making a decision to approve or disapprove a certificate of appropriateness. The recommendation of the committee is not binding upon the director, and the director may decide a matter contrary to the recommendation of the committee.
(j) A decision by the director to grant a certificate of appropriateness may be appealed by the committee only. A decision to deny the certificate may be appealed by either the applicant or the committee. An appeal is made by filing a written request with the director for review by the city plan commission. An appeal must be made within 10 days after notice is given to the applicant of the director’s decision. In considering the appeal, the sole issue shall be whether or not the director erred in making the decision, and, in this connection, the commission shall consider the same standards that were required to be considered by the director in making the decision. Decisions of the commission are final as to available administrative remedies and are binding on all parties.
(k) If the city plan commission fails to make a decision on an appeal by the applicant within 30 calendar days of the date the written request for an appeal is filed with the director, the application shall be considered approved subject to compliance with all other applicable city codes, ordinances, rules, and regulations.
(l) A person who violates Subsection (a) or any other provision in this division is guilty of a separate offense for each day or portion of the day during which the violation is continued. (Ord. Nos. 20345; 20927; 25047; 28073)