(a) Compliance with this Chapter. No person shall erect, locate, move, alter, or replace any sign or cause a sign to be located or maintained, unless all provisions of this Chapter have been met.
(b) Signs Requiring a Zoning Permit. To ensure compliance with these regulations, a Zoning permit shall be obtained for all signs including temporary ground signs and banner signs, unless specifically exempted below, and except ideological signs.
(c) Application Requirements.
(1) An application for a Zoning permit shall be made to the Village of Middlefield on the form provided and in the manner required.
(2) When any person other than the owner of the property submits an application, the owner of the property or an authorized agent for the owner shall also sign such application.
(3) Each application shall be accompanied by drawings to scale, showing:
A. The width of the building face which abuts the frontage street and, for a building located on a corner lot, the building depth facing the secondary street.
B. The design and layout proposed including the total area of the sign, the size, character and color of letters, lines and symbols.
C. The method of illumination, if any.
D. The exact location of the sign in relation to the building and property.
E. Details and specifications for construction, erection and attachment as may be required.
(4) Applicants shall, when required pursuant to this Section, submit a Sign Plan for review and approval by the Planning Commission.
A. A Sign Plan shall be required for all multi-occupant buildings and shall be submitted by the owner of a multi-occupant building whenever:
1. A new multi-occupant building is constructed; or
2. An existing building is renovated, or remodeled and after the renovation or remodeling, there is more than one occupant that occupies the remodeled or renovated building; or
3. When a replacement sign is proposed for an existing multi- occupant building.
B. The Sign Plan shall create a set of specific standards for sign design and placement on the proposed building, and on the site.
C. The Sign Plan shall include the following:
1. Building sections and elevations drawn at an appropriate scale.
2. Computation of the maximum total sign area and the maximum area of signs for individual storefronts or building units affected by the Sign Plan.
3. An accurate indication on the elevation/section drawings of the location of each existing and proposed sign.
D. The Sign Plan shall specify one or more standards for consistency among all signs on the multi-occupant building(s) included in the Sign Plan with regard to and in the priority of the elements listed below:
1. Uniform sign placement and/or height;
2. Uniform size and/or shape;
3. Type of sign construction (materials) and letter components (i.e., sign panel vs. raised letters) and framing;
4. Type of lighting, and the type of lighting fixtures, if any;
5. Uniform background colors or harmonious use of a limited range of complementary background colors, and/or harmonious use of a limited range of complementary colors for the sign lettering.
E. The complexity of the Sign Plan shall be based on the level of variety/cohesiveness of the building architecture and the surrounding area. When a building exhibits a high degree of architectural uniformity, the Sign Plan should require a high degree of consistency among sign elements and therefore, should specify standards for most or all of the elements set forth in subsection (D) above.
(d) Sign Review.
(1) The Zoning Inspector shall review and act on applications for permanent signs that exceed two (2) square feet, according to the standards set forth in this Chapter.
(2) The Zoning Inspector shall review all temporary signs, except as otherwise specifically exempted below.
(3) The erection of the following signs shall not require a Zoning permit provided that all applicable regulations of this Chapter are complied with:
A. Sign plates for residential uses;
B. Temporary signs in residential districts;
C. Ideological signs;
D. Maintenance of existing signs in compliance with Section 1165.07.
E. Signage which is an integral part of the original construction of vending machines, fuel pumps or similar devices;
F. Holiday decorations displayed for customary periods of time;
G. Temporary A-Frame signs;
H. Window signs
(e) Referral of Application to the Planning Commission. The Zoning Inspector, upon receiving an application, shall examine such plans, specifications and other data and the premises upon which it is proposed to erect the sign or other advertising structure.
(1) If upon review it appears that the proposed sign is in compliance with this Chapter and all other ordinances of the Village the Zoning Inspector may issue a Zoning permit; the Zoning Inspector may, at his discretion refer the application to the Planning Commission, and its approval must be obtained before the Zoning permit is issued.
A. The Planning Commission has the discretion to waive the submission of any items as deemed appropriate.
B. When approved by the Planning Commission, the application shall be returned to the Zoning Inspector, who shall issue the Zoning permit. (Ord. 09-111. Passed 4-16-09.)
C. If the applicant is dissatisfied with a discretionary determination by the Zoning Inspector, or Planning Commission, the applicant may appeal that determination to the Geauga County Court of Common Pleas pursuant to Chapter 2506 of the Ohio Revised Code.
(Ord. 13-150. Passed 1-9-14.)
(f) If construction of the sign has not commenced in one (1) year from the issuance of a Zoning permit the permit shall become null and void, if the construction is not completed in two and a half (2-1/2) years the permit shall become null and void. The applicant may reapply for the sign pursuant to the procedures set forth in this chapter.
(Ord. 09-111. Passed 4-16-09.)