1179.13 DESIGN AND CONSTRUCTION STANDARDS
In addition to assuring compliance with the numerical standards of these regulations, the Building Commissioner or designated representative and the Planning Commission, as authorized, with the advice of the City Planner, shall consider the proposed general design, arrangement, texture, material, colors, lighting, placement and the appropriateness of the proposed sign in relationship to other signs and the other structures both on the premises and in the surrounding areas, and only approve signs which are consistent with the intent, purposes, standards and criteria of the sign regulations. Specific standards for determining the appropriateness of the sign shall include, but not be limited to:
(a) The lettering shall be large enough to be easily read but not out of scale with the building or site;
(b) The number of items (letters, symbols, shapes) shall be consistent with the amount of information which can be comprehended by the viewer, reflect simplicity, avoid visual clutter and improve legibility;
(c) The shape of the sign shall be simple and not create visual clutter;
(d) Whether the sign complements the building and adjacent buildings by being designed and placed to enhance the architecture;
(e) Whether the sign is consolidated into a minimum number of elements;
(f) Signs shall have an appropriate contrast and be designed with primary and complimentary colors only. Signs, if seen in series, shall have a continuity of design with the style of sign generally consistent throughout the building or block. Continuity of design means uniformity of background colors or harmonious use of a limited range of complementary background colors;
(g) Visible frames or supports for projecting and wall signs shall be designed to be compatible with the building and other signs in the area.
(h) A sign should be constructed with a minimum of different types of material so as to provide a consistent overall appearance;
(i) All signs in businesses and industrial districts may be illuminated provided that light sources to illuminate such signs shall be shielded from all adjacent residential buildings and streets, and shall not be of such brightness so as to cause glare hazardous to pedestrians or motorists or as to create reasonable objection from adjacent residential districts.
(j) Signs illuminated by electricity, or equipped in any way with electric devices or appliances, shall conform with respect to wiring and appliances, to the provisions of the City's Codified Ordinances and any other State or local laws relating to electrical installation. Neon tubing may be powered by milliampere transformers only when such tubing is used to back light silhouetted letters or for the internal illumination of plastic face signs or letters. Such tubing shall not be visible to the eye and shall not be closer than one (1) inch to the plastic face or letter of any sign;
(k) All signs shall be made, constructed and erected in a professional and workmanlike manner and with materials which are durable for the intended life of the sign. Signs should be constructed with a minimum of different material types so as to provide a consistent overall appearance; and
(l) The Planning Commission and/or Building Commissioner may authorize the preparation of illustrations which interpret these design and construction standards. Such illustrations may include drawings, photographs of signs in Macedonia and elsewhere, and drawings or photographs of signs which have been approved pursuant to these regulations. Any such interpretive illustrations shall be considered administrative guidelines which assist in the interpretation of these design and construction standards. Any sign proposed which is consistent with these illustrations shall be in prima facie compliance and be subject to further review by the Building Commissioner or the Planning Commission to assure full compliance with these regulations.
(Ord. 96-2019. Passed 1-9-20.)