For all Permanent and Temporary Sign types listed below, permits must be obtained in accordance with the Zoning Code. In addition to the requirements and regulations previously listed, the following special conditions shall apply.
(a) Corporate Office Signs along Interstate.
(1) For the purpose of this section, the Interstate is hereby defined to include improved property with frontage adjoining Interstate 74.
(2) The term Property will refer to the building or sign owner’s property and/or the Commercial Development as a whole, that adjoins the Interstate property.
A. Such building is entitled to a Wall Sign or a Ground Sign facing the interstate in addition to other permitted signage. In all cases, a maximum of two Signs shall be permitted.
B. For Wall Signs, the permitted Sign area is based upon the number of building stories above natural grade and the building set back from the interstate’s right-of-way line.
1. Single story buildings that are set back at least 50 feet from the interstate shall be entitled to 100 square feet of signage.
2. Multi-story buildings ( two or more) set back less than 50 feet from the interstate shall be entitled to a maximum 100 square feet of Wall Signs regardless of number of stories.
C. Wall Signs may not extend above the Roof Line of the building. They may not be attached to a penthouse or roof structure including but not limited to mechanical equipment or roof screening.
D. Any such Wall Sign shall be individual Channel Letters and shall be limited to one color.
E. For Ground Signs, the permitted sign size is based upon the building setback. Buildings set back at least 100 feet from the interstate, shall be entitled to a sign no greater than 80 feet in area and not more than 12 feet in height.
F. Buildings set back less than 100 feet from the interstate shall be entitled to a Sign no greater than 50 feet in area and not more than eight feet in height. All signs along the I-74 corridor shall conform to all set back, design, location, and other requirements not specifically addressed in this section.
(b) Nonconforming Signs. All pre-existing illegal Nonconforming Signs must be removed in accordance with this subchapter. The Building and Zoning Department shall issue an order for the sign to be removed within 15 calendar days. The cost of removal will be assessed to the property owner. If the property owner refuses to pay for removal of the sign, the cost of such removal shall be assessed to the property owner's tax records. All Pre-Existing Legal Signs that do not conform to the standards of this subchapter must be brought into conformity under any of the following conditions:
(1) Upon any change in the use of the property for which such property was intended at the time this subchapter became effective.
(2) Upon the discontinuance of the present use of property for a period of more than six months.
(3) Upon alterations to the existing sign, the following regulations shall apply:
A. Structural. No display sign shall hereafter be altered, rebuilt, enlarged, extended, or relocated except in conformity with the provisions of this subchapter.
B. Repainting or Refacing. The repainting of existing nonconforming signs shall not be considered an alteration within the meaning of this section. Refacing an existing nonconforming sign shall not be considered an alteration as long as the refacing constitutes an exact replica of the existing sign face. The design, color scheme, translucency, graphics and text must exactly match those existing. If any portion of the replacement face(s) is not an exact replica of the original sign face, the replacement face(s) must be brought into compliance with this subchapter in so far as practicable.
C. Existing Signs; continuance. Except as otherwise specifically provided, nothing in this section shall require the removal or discontinuance of a legally existing nonconforming permanent display sign which is attached to the property, as distinguished from a temporary or portable sign, that is not altered, rebuilt, enlarges, extended or relocated.
D. To avoid confusion or debate over whether the Sign was altered, the Sign’s owner must provide the Director Of Building and Zoning Department with a minimum of seven calendar days written notice before any repair, repainting, refacing or rebuilding begins. This allows the Director of Building or Zoning Department, or their designee, to inspect the Sign before work begins and record it in the City’s file for future comparisons. Failing to do so does not constitute any automatic acceptance that the work was properly performed within the spirit of these exemption guidelines and the Director of Building and Zoning Department could rule that the Sign has now been altered and therefore no longer qualifies for the exemption.
(c) Gasoline Stations. Gasoline stations, whose principal business is the sale of motor fuel, may display Signs in addition to those herein above authorized. Such Signs shall be limited to the following:
(1) One non-illuminated, double-faced Sign not exceeding five square feet on a side is permitted for each set of motor fuel pumps identifying "self service" or "full service."
(2) Price and grade information can be displayed only on the permitted Sign. Changeable copy for these purposes shall include liquid crystal display (LCD), light emitting diodes (LED), or other similar electro/mechanical displays. This is the only circumstance in which such changeable copy may be used.
(3) Signs limited to the identification of the brand name, Logo or type of fuel sold and other signs as may be required by law shall be permitted on the motor fuel pumps. Fuel pumps shall not be illuminated. No Signs projecting above the pumps may be permitted, except as required by law.
(4) Any other such Signs as may be required by law.
(d) Entry Feature Signs.
(1) Such signs shall be limited to Monument Signs only. Pole Signs are prohibited.
(2) Such signs must consist entirely of natural materials, such as wood, brick and stone.
(3) Such Sign must meet City of Harrison lighting and landscaping requirements.
(4) No more than one such Entry Feature Sign shall be permitted per entrance to the development from a dedicated or non-dedicated roadway, and such Signs shall be installed on the property to which they refer.
(5) If the subdivision/development is entitled to two or more Entry Feature Signs, the distance between the signs shall not be less than two-thirds the length of the longest Right-Of-Way frontage for the development. The distance shall be measured by drawing two straight lines parallel to the Right-Of-Ways, from the edge of each sign, forming a 90 degree angle.
(6) The graphic area of such signs shall not exceed 20 square feet and the height of the monument shall be limited to six feet.
(7) Such signs may not interfere with the safe movement or lines of sight of vehicular and pedestrian traffic.
(8) If an Entry Feature Sign is to be located within the Public Right-Of-Way, it must be reviewed and approved by the Harrison Planning Commission and the Harrison City Engineer.
(e) Joint Identification Signs.
(1) One Ground Sign identifying only the name of a building complex shall be permitted if there is a minimum of three users sharing the same site.
(2) Such Signs shall be permitted in addition to the permitted Signs of individual occupants, but shall not list the names of these occupants.
(3) A Joint Identification Sign shall not exceed the maximum permitted height of any Ground Sign identifying the individual occupants.
(4) The area of a Joint Identification Sign shall not exceed 80 square feet.
(5) A second Joint Identification Sign of the same size is permitted if the site has frontage on two streets, provided that the total lot frontage (on two streets) is 1000 feet or greater. The two signs shall be no closer than 75 feet.
(6) For all buildings or complexes designed and/or intended for multi-tenant usage, a plan for all signage conforming to all the requirements of this Chapter must be submitted to the Building and Zoning Department before any Sign Permit for the complex or an individual tenant will be issued.
(f) DRD – Downtown Redevelopment District. Signs within the Downtown Redevelopment District (DRD) shall require prior review and approval by the City of Harrison Planning Commission.
(g) Drive thru Menu Boards. A Drive-Thru Menu Board Sign is permitted only when all of the following conditions are fulfilled:
(1) The Sign is located on the property to which it refers.
(2) The Sign does not exceed 32 square feet in size.
(h) Inflatable Signs.
(1) Require a Temporary Sign Permit from the Building and Zoning Department.
(3) A scaled diagram of the device and a site plan showing where the device is to be located are required.
(4) Such signs must not be inflated with helium or any other buoyant gas.
(5) Such signs shall be securely attached/tethered to the ground so that they will not shift more than three feet in any direction during wind conditions up to 25 miles per hour.
(6) Such signs shall not be attached or mounted on any platform, roof, or similar structure.
(7) Such signs must be placed so that they will be clear of all utility lines, roads, parking lots and adjoining property in case of collapse.
(8) Such signs may contain no commercial advertising.
(9) Such signs shall not be internally illuminated.
(i) Feather Signs.
(1) Feather/Flutter flags defined as a vertical flag meant to advertise a particular business or product are permitted but must be limited to two flags per business, placed out of the right-of-way and adequately secured and anchored. These devices are to be located no closer than 20 feet from the roadway edge, cannot be wider than three feet at their widest dimension and cannot extend any higher than 15 feet from immediate grade-pavement.
(j) Limiting Advertising Devices along Highways. Notwithstanding the foregoing, no advertising device shall be erected, placed or maintained within 600' of the edge of the right-of-way of any highway system within the City of Harrison except the following:
(1) Directional and official signs and notices that conform to rules adopted by the Director of Public Works.
(2) Signs advertising the sale or lease of the property upon which they are located.
(3) Advertising devices indicating the name of the business or profession conducted on such property or that identify the goods produced, sold or services rendered on such property. Any signs advertising the business or profession not conducted on such property will be considered as an off premise sign and shall conform to the regulations of Section 1163.05.
(4) Advertising devices that are located on the premises of a professional sports facility and that conform to rules adopted by the zoning codes of the City of Harrison.
(Ord. 3-14. Passed 2-18-14.)
(Ord. 3-14. Passed 2-18-14.)