(a) Purpose. The Geneva Downtown Design District was adopted in order to meet the following goals:
(1) Preserve the small-town, unique character of Geneva.
(2) Complement the existing historic architecture.
(3) Enhance the pedestrian orientation of downtown Geneva and encourage streetscape design that is inviting and on a human scale.
(4) The boundaries of the overlay district are defined on the Downtown Design District Map.
(5) All signs shall conform to the standards set forth in this section.
SIGNS IN THE CENTRAL BUSINESS DISTRICT | ||
Type | Maximum Number | Maximum Area |
SIGNS IN THE CENTRAL BUSINESS DISTRICT | ||
Type | Maximum Number | Maximum Area |
CBD | ||
Address sign | 1 | 4 sq. ft. |
Wall sign | 1 | 1.5 sq. ft. per 1 linear ft. of building frontage which corresponds to the dimensions of the building unit, or 50 sq. ft., whichever is less. |
Window/Door sign | 1 | 25% glass area per window/door |
Blade sign(a) | 1 | See 1297.07(b) |
Instructional signs | Shall be exempt from regulations when in compliance with | |
A-Frame Signs | 1 | 28" w by 36" h |
Temporary Signs | 2 | 4' sq. ft. per sign. No banners are permitted. |
Ground Signs | 1 | As approved by Architectural Review Board |
(b) Blade Signs. Blade signs are not permitted as of right, but may be permitted as part of an architectural feature approved for construction by the Architectural Review Board in accord with the City's Design Standards for district blade signage, which are as follows:
(1) One projecting sign is permitted per building unit except that no projecting sign is permitted within fifteen feet of another projecting sign.
(2) Approval for blade signs shall be depend upon satisfying the following design standards:
(3) Rectangular, straight-edged and oval signs are the preferred shape for signs; however, signs with highly stylized, curvilinear edges are encouraged if they are designed in a historic motif.
(4) Sign graphics shall be carved, applied, painted or stained.
(5) Sign graphics shall be simple and bold.
(6) The number of colors used on signs shall be minimized for maximum effect. Fluorescent colors are not permitted.
(7) Reader boards and electronic messaging systems are not permitted.
(8) Vinyl banners or other signage on a flexible substrate are not permitted.
(9) Signs that detract from the historic appeal of the downtown as determined by the ARC Board are not permitted.
(10) Sign brackets must also be approved by the ARC Board.
(11) Total aggregate area for all blade signage on a building shall not be greater than one square foot for each lineal foot of building frontage not to exceed eight square feet. In the case of more than one frontage, the frontage having an entrance/exit on the main street shall be used to determine building frontage.
(c) A-Frame Signs. A-frame signs may be permitted in the Downtown Design District provided they shall only be located on private property that it be located in the frontage of business using the sign. If the sign is in a walkway, is shall be located in a manner that ensures a minimum lateral walkway clearance of four feet for pedestrian travel. A sign permit is required for this type of sign, as well as a certificate of appropriateness from the ARC Board for both the frame and face of the sign.
(d) Wall Signs.
(1) A wall sign may only be located on the portion of the front wall which corresponds to the interior dimensions of the building unit. Minimum distance separation between such walls signs shall be three feet. If the building has a sign band, wall signs shall be erected within that area. No wall sign shall cover, wholly or partially, any wall opening.
(2) Wall signs shall only be erected on the building unit's own exterior wall. No wall sign shall project beyond the end, top or bottom of the building wall to which it is attached, not be set out more than eight inches from the face of the building to which it is attached.
(3) The permitted area for wall signs as calculated by division (a) above may be divided between front and side walls of the building unit.
(4) No side wall sign, or cumulative total of all side wall signs, shall exceed twenty square feet on any one building elevation.
(5) Wall signs shall not be of cabinet design.
(6) Any internal illumination for wall signs must be approved by the Architectural Review Board.
(e) Certificate of Appropriateness. All permanent signs in the Downtown District require a certificate of appropriateness which is granted by the Architectural Review Board. The Zoning Inspector, upon receiving an application for a sign permit, shall examine such plans, specifications and other data and the premises upon which it is proposed to erect the sign or other advertising structure. If it appears that the proposed sign is in compliance with this section and all other ordinances of the municipality, the application shall be referred to the Board, whose approval must be obtained before the permit is issued. The Board has the discretion to waive the submission of any items as it deems appropriate. When approved by the Board, the application shall be returned to the Zoning Inspector who shall then issue the permit. If the work authorized under a sign permit has not been complete within six months after the date of issuance, the permit shall become null and void.
(Ord. 3227. Passed 4-23-18.)