The Central Business District is the historical center and the focal point for the Village of Lexington. Smaller individual businesses on one or more small lots with minimal front setbacks off the street and little side yard areas are the typical configuration of structures in relationship to the right-of-way, and because of slower traffic speeds, less building setbacks and greater pedestrian traffic, smaller, less conspicuous signage is necessary to adequately identify business establishments.
The following types of signs shall be permitted within the Central Business District (CBD) after review and approval of a Sign Permit.
(a) Wall Signs. One (1) primary wall sign shall be permitted for each business or tenant occupying a building or structure. One (1) secondary wall sign shall be permitted when a business establishment has frontage on more than one street or where there is a side or rear entrance commonly used by the public. The total sign area for all wall signs may not exceed the maximum sign area allowed in Section 1309.71.
(b) Directory Sign. Each building may have one (1) directory sign, in addition to the above wall sign(s) that shall provide not more than two (2) sq. ft. of sign area per building occupant and shall state the name and address of the building occupants. Such signs shall be mounted flat against the face of the building like a wall sign.
(c) Window Signs. One or more window signs, permanent or temporary, not exceeding twenty percent (20%) of the total window area, shall be allowed on ground floor windows only unless there are separate tenants occupying the second story only of a multi-story building. The area of any window signs shall be included in computing the maximum wall sign area for any business or structure.
(d) Signs on Awnings and Canopies. One or more signs shall be permitted on an awning or canopy subject to the following conditions:
(1) No awning or canopy shall extend to a point closer than three (3) feet back from the face of the curb. Minimum clearance below an awning to grade shall be eight (8) feet.
(2) No canopy may have supporting posts or columns that are less than fifteen (15) feet back of the public right-of-way. Minimum clearance below any canopy to grade shall be ten (10) feet.
(3) Lettering, and logos on an awning or canopy may not exceed one (1) foot in height. The area devoted to lettering and logos shall be included in computing the maximum allowable wall sign area for that business or structure.
(e) Free-Standing signs. One (1) free-standing ground sign shall be permitted on any lot or parcel having a lot width of sixty-six (66) feet or more, regardless of the number of businesses occupying that lot and further subject to the provisions of Section 1309.71.
(f) Pole Sign. The Architectural Review Board may allow the use of a free-standing pole sign in the CBD if it is determined that:
(1) It is impractical to locate a ground sign on the property outside of the required corner clearance triangle required in Section 1309.13(d).
(2) The view of the proposed sign in the only acceptable locations outside the clearance triangle would be significantly blocked by an adjacent building or structure or an adjacent ground sign.
(3) The Architectural Review Board shall approve only the lowest sign of a suitable size and shape to conform to the intent of this section.
(g) Projecting Sign. One (1) projecting sign shall be permitted for each building or structure, in lieu of a ground sign or pole sign, only where it can be demonstrated that no suitable location is available for a ground sign. Where projecting signs are permitted, they shall be subject to the provisions of Section 1309.71.
(h) Notwithstanding the foregoing, any existing pole sign located within the Central Business District and featuring a time/temperature display on the effective date of the comprehensive revision of the Village Sign Chapter (Ordinance 96-71 effective March 19, 1997) shall be permitted to continue for so long as it shall be used for the purpose of displaying time/temperature. The overall size and height may not be changed but the face of the sign may be otherwise modified.
(i) The portion of the total area of the main sign having a changeable message area shall not exceed fifty percent (50%) of the total sign area.
(j) Signage on vending machines located outside of a building and legible from any public right-of-way shall be considered to be permanent signs which shall be counted and included in any regulations determining the number or aggregate area of signs permitted on any business or lot.
(Ord. 07-32. Passed 7-2-07.)