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(a) The purpose of this division is to regulate both the construction of new signs and alterations of existing signs with a view towards enhancing, preserving, and developing the unique character of the Southwestern Medical District area while addressing the public's need to locate and navigate to the multiple hospital and medical office entrances efficiently.
(b) The objectives of this division include those listed in Section 51A-7.101 as well as to:
(1) Create an aesthetically pleasing environment that cultivates a center for healthcare, education, biomedical research, and technology.
(2) Designate entries into this district.
(3) Communicate clear directions to, within, and through the district.
(4) Promote the goods and services available in this district.
(5) Ensure that the size and orientation of signs assist pedestrian and vehicular traffic.
(6) Enhance economic growth and community identity for local businesses and residents in the district.
(7) Ensure that significant architectural features and buildings within this district are not obscured by inappropriate signs.
(8) Identify and promote special events and cultural activities in this district.
(9) Identify and highlight key features, local amenities, corridors, and communities in and adjacent to this district. (Ord. 29392)
In this division:
(1) BANNER means a sign attached to or applied on a strip of cloth, vinyl, metal, or similar material and attached to a building, pole, or structure. Canopy signs and flags are not banners.
(2) CHANGEABLE MESSAGE SIGN means a sign displaying static images that may display different designs, messages, or advertisements and that may include LED/LCD elements, slide lettering, slated rotating surfaces, or other changeable message technology.
(3) CONSTRUCTION BARRICADE SIGN means a sign that is affixed to a construction barricade.
(4) DISTRICT OR THIS DISTRICT means the Southwestern Medical District Sign District.
(5) EFFECTIVE AREA means the following:
(A) For a detached sign, the area within a minimum imaginary rectangle of vertical and horizontal lines that fully contains all extremities of the sign, excluding its supports. This rectangle is calculated from an orthographic projection of the sign viewed horizontally. The viewpoint for this projection that produces the largest rectangle must be used. If elements of the sign are movable or flexible, such as a flag or a string of lights, the measurement is taken when the elements are fully extended and parallel to the plane of view.
(B) For an attached sign, the sum of the areas within minimum imaginary rectangles of vertical and horizontal lines, each of which fully contains a word. If a design, outline, illustration, or interior illumination surrounds or attracts attention to a word, then it is included in the calculation of effective area.
(C) For signs placed on a fence, non-enclosing wall, planter, or other similar structure that is designed to serve a separate purpose other than to support the sign, the entire area of such structure is not computed, and the effective area is to be measured by the rule for effective area for attached signs.
(6) FLAT ATTACHED SIGN means an attached sign projecting 24 inches or less from a building, and with face parallel to the building facade.
(7) GATEWAY SIGN means a district entry monument sign that lets travelers know they are entering a distinct area within this district.
(8) GENERIC GRAPHICS mean a pattern of shapes, colors, or symbols that does not commercially advertise.
(9) GOVERNMENTAL TRAFFIC SIGN means a sign, signal, or other traffic control device installed by a governmental agency for the purpose of regulating, warning, or guiding vehicular or pedestrian traffic on a public roadway, including stop signs, one-way signs, no parking signs, and electronic pedestrian and vehicular signalization devices and their fixtures.
(10) LOGO means a graphic or emblem that is used to identify, symbolize, and promote an entity or organization.
(11) MEDICAL INSTITUTION means healthcare, medical, educational, and research facilities and destinations within this district that may have a helipad.
(12) MONUMENT SIGN means a detached sign applied directly onto a grade-level support structure (instead of a pole support) with no separation between the sign and grade.
(13) MOVEMENT CONTROL SIGN means a sign that must direct vehicular or pedestrian movement into or within this district and may include the name or logo of this district or of any premise within this district.
(14) PERMANENT SIGN means any sign that is not a temporary sign as defined in this section.
(15) PROMOTIONAL MESSAGE means a message that identifies, promotes, or advertises a cultural activity within this district, any event being conducted, in whole or in part, within this district, or any special event being conducted within this district.
(16) SIGN HARDWARE means the structural support system for a sign, including the fastening devices that secure the sign to a building facade or pole.
(17) SOUTHWESTERN MEDICAL DISTRICT IDENTIFICATION SIGNS means gateway signs, movement control signs, trailblazer signs, and district street topper signs that designate the boundaries of this district and guide people coming to medical institution destinations.
(18) SPECIAL EVENT means a special event as defined in Chapter 42A of the Dallas City Code.
(19) TEMPORARY SIGN means a sign erected for a limited time that identifies an event or activity of limited duration. Examples include signs advertising the sale or lease of property, construction activity in progress, or a special or other cultural event.
(20) TEXAS MANUAL ON UNIFORM TRAFFIC CONTROL DEVICES means the latest publication of the Texas Manual on Uniform Traffic Control Devices published by the Texas Department of Transportation.
(21) TRAILBLAZER SIGN means a sign placed strategically to guide travelers to a particular destination within this district.
(22) VIDEOBOARD SIGN means a flat screen that is capable of displaying moving images similar to television images, by light-emitting diode or other similar technology, and that is mounted to the exterior of a building.
(23) WELCOME MESSAGE means a message that identifies and greets heads of state; foreign dignitaries; groups using city or county property in accordance with a contract, license, or permit; or government organizations. (Ord. 29392)
(a) In general. Except as provided in this subsection, a person shall not alter, place, maintain, expand, or remove a Southwestern Medical District identification sign in this district without first obtaining a sign permit. A sign permit is not required to:
(1) Change the text on a changeable message sign or a protective sign.
(2) Erect or replace a banner on a street pole using the existing sign hardware. A sign permit is required to install sign hardware for a banner.
(3) Erect a temporary sign that is less than 50 square feet in effective area.
(4) Erect a non-illuminated sign with an effective area of 20 square feet or less.
(5) Erect governmental traffic signs.
(b) Sign permit procedures.
(1) Except as provided in this subsection, the procedures for obtaining a sign permit using the director procedure in Section 51A-7.505(4) apply in this district.
(2) For each sign permit application, a sign plan is required and must include a:
(A) map of the district boundaries with existing and proposed Southwestern Medical District identification signs shown; and
(B) table with the cumulative number of the existing and proposed Southwestern Medical District identification signs tabulated.
(c) Review of application. The director shall review the application and approve or deny it within 30 days of its receipt.
(d) Appeals. Any interested person may appeal the decision of the director by submitting a written request for appeal to the director within 10 days of the decision. Within 30 days after receipt of the written request for appeal, the director shall schedule the appeal on a future city plan commission agenda. The city plan commission shall hold a public hearing to consider the appeal in accordance with Section 51A-7.505(6).
(e) Special event signs. Special event signs are governed by the special event permit regulations in Chapter 42A of the Dallas City Code. (Ord. 29392)
No person shall erect or maintain, or cause to be erected or maintained, any sign using any combination of forms, words, colors, or lights that imitate standard public traffic regulatory or emergency signs or signals. (Ord. 29392)
Except for signs located wholly within the public right-of-way, the director shall not issue a permit for the construction, erection, placement, or maintenance of a sign until a site is established in one of the following ways:
(1) A lot is part of a plat that is approved by the city plan commission and filed in the plat records of Dallas County, Texas.
Nothing in this division shall be construed to regulate the display of a government traffic sign. (Ord. 29392)
(a) Signs may be located within or project over the public right-of-way, subject to the Texas Manual on Uniform Traffic Control Devices, the licensing and franchise requirements of Chapter XIV of the city charter, Article VI of Chapter 43 of the Dallas City Code, as amended, and the requirements of this section.
(b) The traffic engineer shall review and must approve the location in, projecting over, or overhanging the public right-of-way to ensure that the sign complies with the Texas Manual on Uniform Traffic Control
Devices, other city ordinances and state laws, and will not pose a traffic or safety hazard or visibility obstruction.
(c) A minimum clearance over public right-of-way must be maintained in accordance with the Texas Manual on Uniform Traffic Control Devices.
(d) For signs in the right-of-way, if there is a conflict between the text of this division and the Texas Manual on Uniform Traffic Control Devices, the Texas Manual on Uniform Traffic Control Devices controls. (Ord. 29392)
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