Whenever a sign is to be erected within an area designated as an Architectural Review Overlay District in the Lexington Zoning Ordinance, the following additional procedures will be required before a Sign Permit is issued.
Before signs are altered, erected or replaced on a property with an existing building which is not being renovated, remodeled or expanded, an Application for a Sign Permit shall be filed with the Zoning Inspector who shall then transmit said application, along with site plans, and building elevation plans showing the proposed location and size of all existing and proposed new signs along with accurate drawings and specifications showing the colors, materials, styles of lettering, and method of illumination, if applicable for all new signs to the Architectural Review Board. The Architectural Review Board shall meet within fifteen (15) days from the date of Application for a Sign Permit. The Board shall review proposed signage for conformance with the design standards set forth in Sections 1309.89 and 1309.90 of these regulations to insure that proposed signage is architecturally compatible with the existing structure and harmonious with surrounding buildings and signs. The Architectural Review Board shall approve, subject to modification, or disapprove, with a written explanation of the reasons for disapproval. The Zoning Inspector will then issue the appropriate Sign Permits within seven (7) days of the decision of the Architectural Review Board.
When a new building is proposed or there will be significant facade renovation, building remodeling or expansion, the plans for all proposed signage shall be submitted at the same time as site plans and building plans are submitted to the Zoning Inspector for review. These plans will be transmitted to the Architectural Review Board for review to insure that proposed signage will be architecturally compatible with the proposed buildings and structures and harmonious with surrounding buildings and structures. The Zoning Inspector shall issue the appropriate Sign Permits within seven (7) days after the decisions are rendered by the Architectural Review Board.
The Architectural Review Board shall review all existing signs in the Central Business District and may designate certain existing signs, which by virtue of their unique or special design exhibit qualities or characteristics of a historical era or other unusual significance, as "Landmark Signs".
"Landmark Signs" as defined herein, shall not be considered non-conforming signs, even though they may not comply with all other standards set forth in this chapter. However, the Zoning Inspector may require the repair or removal of any sign that has been allowed to deteriorate or has become a threat to public health or safety.
Within any Architectural Review District, permanent signs may not cover, obscure or overlap any cornices, eaves, columns, window or door openings, wall corners or other decorative elements of the architecture of the building.
Within any Architectural Review District, the area around the base of any free-standing ground sign or pole sign shall be landscaped in grass, flowers, shrubs, and other plant materials in an area at least twice the area of the sign.
(Ord. 07-32. Passed 7-2-07.)