(a) No person may alter, expand, maintain, or place a sign in this district without first obtaining a sign permit from the city. No sign permit may be issued for a sign in this district unless the application has first been reviewed by the director and a certificate of appropriateness has been issued in accordance with the procedure outlined in this section.
(b) This section does not apply to government signs described in Section 51A-7.207.
(c) Section 51A-7.504, which establishes the special sign district advisory committee for special provision sign districts, does not apply to this district.
(d) Section 51A-7.505, which outlines the procedure for obtaining a certificate of appropriateness, does not apply in this district.
(e) Section 51A-7.602, which lists certain signs that require sign permits, does not apply to signs in this district. All signs within this district require sign permits.
(f) Upon receipt of an application for a permit to authorize a sign in this district, the building official shall refer the application to the director for review. The director shall issue a decision within 30 calendar days after the a complete application is submitted to the building official. The director shall solicit the recommendation of appropriate staff before approving or disapproving a certificate of appropriateness.
(g) The director shall approve a certificate of appropriateness if the application complies with the requirements of this district and the director finds that the proposed sign is consistent with the character of this district. The director shall consider the proposed sign in terms of its appropriateness to this district with particular attention to the effect of the proposed sign upon the economic structure of this district and the effect of the proposed sign upon adjacent and surrounding premises without regard to the consideration of the message conveyed by the sign. The director shall give written notice of the director’s decision to the applicant. Notice is given when mailed to the applicant.
(h) A decision to grant a certificate of appropriateness may not be appealed. A decision to deny a certificate of appropriateness may be appealed to the city plan commission only by the applicant. An appeal is made by filing a written request with the director within 10 calendar days after notice of the director’s decision is given. In considering the appeal, the sole issue shall be whether the director erred, and in this connection, the city plan commission shall consider the same standard that was required to be considered by the director. Decisions of the city plan commission are final as to administrative remedies. If the city plan commission fails to make a decision on an appeal within 30 calendar days after the appeal is filed with the director, the application shall be considered approved, provided the sign otherwise complies with all applicable city codes, ordinances, rules, and regulations. (Ord. 25899)