(A) Certificate of appropriateness required for permanent commercial message sign. It shall be unlawful to locate, use, erect, display, construct, install, enlarge, expand, alter, operate or maintain a permanent commercial message sign in the “B” Business District unless and until a building permit for the sign has been issued by the Administrative Official in accordance with the building and construction regulations and a certificate of appropriateness has been issued pursuant to §§ 153.240 through 153.249of this chapter by the Architectural Review Commission.
(B) Regulations for permanent commercial message signs.
(1) Sign orientation. In the “B” Business District, all permanent commercial message signs shall be oriented to face Green Bay Road or Park Drive only, except as otherwise allowed in this part.
(2) Allowed permanent commercial message signs. The following permanent signs are allowed as commercial message signs on the front façade of a building in the “B” Business District, and each occupant in the “B” Business District shall have the option of choosing the mix of such signs that is appropriate for the occupant’s business, subject to the restriction on combined sign area allowed, the provisions of any master sign plan for the property, and all other restrictions and limitations set forth in this part:
(a) Wall signs.
(b) Window signs.
(c) Projecting signs.
(d) Awning signs.
(e) Monument signs.
(3) Total combined sign area allowed. The total combined sign area allowed for permanent commercial message signs in the “B” Business District shall be calculated as follows:
(a) For a single occupant building, the total combined sign area allowed shall not exceed the lesser of 7.5% of the total area of the front façade, or 25 square feet.
(b) For each occupant in a multi- occupant building, the total combined sign area allowed for each occupant shall not exceed the lesser of 7.5% of the total area of the front façade of the occupant’s space, or 25 square feet.
(c) For a single-occupant building with frontage on two public streets, the combined sign area allowed shall not exceed the lesser of 7.5% of the total area of the front façade or 25 square feet.
(4) Wall signs.
(a) One wall sign is allowed on the first floor front façade of a single occupant building and shall be considered part of the combined sign area for such occupant.
(b) In multi-occupant buildings, one wall sign is allowed on the front façade of each occupant’s space, and shall not exceed the allowed combined sign area for each such occupant.
(c) A wall sign may only be installed above the top of first floor glazing and may not be installed higher than the second floor window sill of the building or 14 feet measured from the ground or sidewalk next to the front façade, whichever is lower.
(d) On single occupant corner building fronting on two public streets, an additional wall sign may be allowed with the approval of the Architectural Review Commission, so long as the nearest property is not in a residential district, and the square footage of the additional wall sign does not exceed the allowed combined sign area.
(e) The information contained on a wall sign shall be limited to the regular name of the occupant’s business, organization or entity located on the lot and a maximum of three words describing the occupant’s products or services.
(f) An additional wall sign is permitted if the occupant’s space in a building has a secondary rear or side entrance but such additional wall sign shall be limited to no more than nine square feet and shall only indicate the name of the occupant and the words “entrance,” “enter” or a similar term. The square footage of such secondary sign shall not be included in the calculation of the occupant's allowed combined sign area.
(g) No wall sign affixed to a building, including its sign support structure, may project beyond the outer limits of the wall to which it is affixed. A parapet wall may not be added to an existing building for the sole purpose of increasing the allowable height of a wall sign. For new buildings, when a sign is to be mounted on a parapet wall, that parapet wall must be consistent with the architectural design of the building, including building materials. Wall signs may not be attached to un-reinforced masonry parapets.
(h) A wall sign should be safely and securely attached to the building wall, should be affixed flat against the building wall, and may not project more than six inches from the building wall. A wall sign must be mounted in such a way that it can be removed with minimal impact on the building’s exterior wall.
(i) Wall signs may not cover windows, doors or architectural elements.
(5) Window signs.
(a) Window signs are allowed on the front façade of a building in the “B” Business District and shall be included in the calculation of the occupant’s allowed combined sign area.
(b) On single occupant corner buildings fronting on two public streets, an additional window sign on the first floor façade may be permitted by the Architectural Review Commission, if the nearest property is not in a residential district and the square footage of such additional window sign is included in the calculation of the occupant’s allowed combined sign area.
(c) The information contained on a permanent window sign on the first floor front façade shall be limited to the name of the occupant’s business, organization or entity and a maximum of three words describing the occupant’s products or services.
(d) For second floor occupants of a non-residential space, a window sign consisting of painted or transfer letters is allowed on second floor window(s) on the front façade. Such window sign may not exceed 10% of the area of the window(s) on which it is located. Second floor window signs shall not be included in the calculation of allowed combined sign area. On the second floor, the content of permanent window signs is limited to the name of the occupant’s business, organization or entity. In no case may temporary commercial message window signs be displayed above the first floor of a building.
(e) Short-term temporary commercial message window signs and short-term temporary commercial message window display signs shall be permitted in the “B” Business District on the first floor front façade only and shall not be illuminated. In a single occupant building, the total square footage of allowed permanent and short-term temporary window signs shall not exceed 30% of the total storefront window area. In a multi-occupant building, the total square footage of allowed permanent and temporary window signs for each occupant shall not exceed 30% of the total storefront window area of the occupant’s space.
(6) Projecting signs.
(a) One projecting sign per occupant is allowed in the “B” Business District and shall be included in the calculation of the allowed combined sign area.
(b) The sign area of a projecting sign on a one-story building shall not exceed four square feet per sign face. The sign area of a projecting sign on a building with more than one story shall not exceed six square feet per sign face.
(c) The pole of a projecting sign may project from the front façade or wall no more than five feet over a public way or public sidewalk. The maximum width of the projecting sign shall not exceed three feet. The inside edge of the projecting sign shall be separated from the façade or wall by no more than one foot.
(d) No projecting sign shall be placed higher than the second floor window sill of the building or 14 feet measured from the ground or sidewalk next to the front façade, whichever is lower. The lowest point of a projecting sign shall not be less than seven feet six inches above the sidewalk located below the sign.
(e) A projecting sign shall be located at or near the public entrance to the building and shall not cover architectural elements.
(f) The information contained on a projecting sign shall be limited to name of the occupant’s business, organization or entity and a maximum of three words describing the occupant’s products or services.
(g) No projecting sign may be secured with external wire, chains, cables, strips of wood or nails nor may any projecting sign be hung or secured to any other sign. Any removable part of a projecting sign, such as the cover of a service opening, must be securely fastened internally by chains or hinges.
(7) Awning and canopy signs.
(a) An awning sign is allowed in the “B” Business District and shall be included in the calculation of the occupant’s allowed combined sign area.
(b) The letters on an awning shall be placed on the front descending skirt only and shall not exceed six inches in height.
(c) Awnings with or without signs shall be constructed and erected so that the lowest portion of the projecting frame and descending skirt shall not be less than seven feet six inches above the level of the sidewalk or ground located below the awning.
(d) Awning signs shall be limited to only the regular operating name of the occupant’s business, organization or entity and the street address numbers of the building to which the awning is attached.
(e) The edge of an awning may project out over the public way up to four feet, but in no event may an awning be within two feet or less of the curb line of a public street. The preferred minimum awning projection is 36 inches.
(f) A canopy sign shall be placed on the front face of the canopy, parallel to the street, and is limited to the street address numerals only, which shall not exceed six inches in height.
(g) Awnings, canopies, awning signs and canopy signs may not be illuminated or back lit. Rigid awning or canopy coverings made of metal, hard plastic or other materials that can be cracked or broken are not allowed.
(8) Monument signs. One monument sign is allowed for any building in the “B” Business District that is set back ten feet or more from the lot line abutting a public street and shall be included in the calculation of the combined sign area. Monuments on which signs are attached shall not exceed 39 square feet in area or six and one-quarter feet in height.
(9) Commercial message flag signs. One commercial message flag sign is allowed per occupant in the “B” Business District and shall be included in the calculation of the occupant’s combined sign area. Commercial message flag signs shall be compatible with the overall color scheme of the building’s facade, shall not cover architectural elements of the building and shall not be illuminated. The lowest part of a commercial flag sign should be not less than seven feet six inches above the sidewalk located below the sign.
(C) Design criteria for permanent commercial message and institutional signs.
(1) Intent of design criteria. Design criteria for permanent commercial message signs in the “B” Business District are not intended to restrict imagination, innovation and variety in sign design and display, but rather to assist in focusing on design principles that can result in creative solutions that will develop a high quality visual appearance within the village.
(2) Design criteria. Permanent commercial message signs in the “B” Business District shall meet the following design criteria:
(a) The proposed sign is designed to be constructed, installed and maintained in a safe condition with high quality design and materials.
(b) The proposed sign has good scale and proportion in its design, and is proportioned to the scale of, and is architecturally and visually compatible with, the building or property on which it is to be located and with existing adjacent and nearby buildings or structures and residential neighborhoods.
(c) The proposed sign is visually compatible with nearby buildings and structures in terms of height, size, location, shape, proportion, scale, materials, texture, lettering, illumination, colors and shape.
(d) The location of the proposed sign is appropriate in terms of design, landscaping and orientation on the property.
(e) The colors, materials and lighting of the proposed sign are restrained and harmonious, and not excessively bright.
(f) The proposed sign does not exceed the logo size requirements of § 153.051(E).
(g) The amount of information and graphic elements that contain images or symbols in the proposed sign or group of signs is appropriately limited and results in a clear and readable design.
(h) Any proposed sign which is part of a master sign plan is consistent with such plan.
(i) The proposed sign illumination does not exceed the level of illumination requirements of § 153.051(J).
(j) The proposed sign illumination complies with the building and construction requirements of § 153.051(F).
(k) The proposed sign does not cover architectural elements of the building.
(l) If the proposed sign is an awning or canopy sign, the proposed awning or canopy complies with the material construction requirements of subparagraph (B)(7)(i) of this section.
(D) Permanent non-commercial message signs in the “B” Business District. The following permanent signs are exempt signs allowed in the “B” Business District, subject to the regulations and limitations set forth in § 153.049, including, where applicable, the requirement to obtain an administrative sign permit, and shall not be included in the calculation of combined sign area.
(1) Address sign.
(2) Directory sign.
(3) Governmental sign.
(4) Hazard or no trespassing sign.
(5) Incidental sign.
(6) Informational sign.
(7) Memorial plaque sign.
(8) Public utility sign.
(9) Security sign
(E) Requirement for master sign plan.
(1) Master sign plan for new building or development. For a new building with multiple occupants or a new development with multiple buildings in the “B” Business District, the applicant and/or property owner must submit a master sign plan for review and approval by the Architectural Review Commission. The purpose of a master sign plan is to coordinate signs on multi-occupant buildings or in multi-building developments, to establish a building’s or development's overall sign design, and to provide direction to future occupants. A master sign plan must include, at a minimum, criteria and specifications for general appearance, location, lighting, and approved construction materials for signs.
(2) Master sign plan for existing building. For existing buildings, the applicant must submit a master sign plan when:
(a) A change is proposed to any permanent sign for any occupant which requires a building permit and certificate of appropriateness;
(b) A change in any occupant’s use of the property necessitates a change in any permanent sign;
(c) One or more new signs are proposed by one or more occupants;
(d) Notice is received from the village that one or more permanent signs on the building are not in compliance with this part by reason of being a prohibited sign, abandoned sign, unsafe sign, or illegal sign or by reason of any other failure of compliance under this part; or
(e) In the case of a legal nonconforming sign, the expiration of the applicable amortization period.
(3) Content of master sign plan. A master sign plan for the entire building or development shall be submitted to the Architectural Review Commission for review and approval pursuant to the procedures set §§ 153.240 through 153.249. This master sign plan for a development shall include any and all signs for all buildings on the lot. A master sign plan for a building shall include any and all signs for each occupant's space. All subsequently proposed signs shall conform to the approved master sign plan so that as existing signs are replaced for various reasons, including amortization under this chapter, all new and replacement signs will be cohesive and in compliance with this part.
(F) Temporary, short-term temporary and daily- display temporary signs in the “B” Business District.
(1) Temporary signs on business and residential property. The following temporary signs are exempt signs allowed on business and residential property in the “B” Business District, subject to the regulations and limitations set forth in § 153.049, including, where applicable, the requirement to obtain an administrative sign permit:
(a) Booster sign.
(b) Construction site sign.
(c) Demolition site sign.
(d) Election sign.
(e) Flag.
(f) Free expression sign.
(g) Holiday decorations.
(h) Real estate sign.
(i) Light pole civic banner sign.
(2) Short-term temporary signs and daily- display temporary signs on business property. The following short-term temporary and daily-display temporary signs are exempt signs allowed only on business property in the “B” Business District, subject to the regulations and limitations set forth in § 153.049:
(a) Short-term temporary commercial message window sign.
(b) Short-term temporary commercial message window display sign.
(c) Temporary parking and traffic control sign.
(3) Short-term temporary signs and daily- display temporary signs on residential property. The following short-term temporary and daily-display temporary signs are exempt signs allowed in the “B” Business District on private residential property only, subject to the regulations and limitations set forth in § 153.049; and must removed within seven days following the event:
(a) Personal event sign.
(b) Open house sign.
(c) Private sale sign.
(Ord. 1057, passed 2-22-2011; Ord. 1098, passed 4-29-2013)