(a) Before any person or entity erects, constructs, reconstructs, replaces, or modifies any exterior sign on any building or structure, including window signs, in a Design District, said person or entity shall prepare and file an application with the Village Zoning Inspector for review by the Design Review Board, which application shall be accompanied by a full and accurate description of the size of such sign(s), the manner and method by which it will be affixed to the structure or building, the materials which make up said sign, the color and graphics of said sign(s), the method of illumination of such sign, if any, and any other items deemed necessary by the Village Zoning Inspector or such Design Review Board to review said application.
Each business establishment shall be allowed a maximum of thirty-two (32) square feet of signage. The signage may be any combination of the signage types found in subsection (c) below. In general, the proposed font, colors and appearance of any sign shall complement the existing and neighboring buildings in the Design District and reflect the architecture of the building if possible. See also subsection (b) below. Each applicant must complete a statement holding the Village harmless from any liability resulting from accident or injury caused by erection and maintenance of such sign(s) if requested to do so by the Zoning Inspector.
For the purposes of this section, the measurement of sign area shall comply with the following standards:
(1) Sign area shall include the face of all the display area of the sign not including bracing, framing, and structural supports of the sign, unless such support members are made part of the message or face of the design.
(2) Where a sign has two (2) or more display faces, the area of all faces of the sign shall be included in determining the area of the sign, unless the two (2) display faces join back-to-back and parallel to each other and are no more than twelve (12) inches apart. For spherical signs, the sphere shall be bisected by an imaginary line through the center of the sphere, and the surface area of the half sphere shall be counted as the sign face. For cubical signs, the area of all display faces shall be included in determining the area of the sign.
(3) The area of all letters, numbers or emblems mounted directly on a building wall, window or door shall be computed by enclosing the entire word or words formed by such letters, numbers or emblems with the smallest single continuous perimeter consisting of a rectangle or a series of rectangles and determining the area within such perimeter.
(b) The Design Review Board shall use the same design review standards found in Section 1349.10 above as well as the size and number of signs designated in subsection (c) below.
(c) The Design Review Board shall not approve any sign except as follows:
(1) Wall signs. One principal wall sign shall be permitted on the business establishment which it represents. One secondary wall sign is permitted where a business has frontage on another street or where there is a rear or side entrance commonly used by the public. Any single wall sign shall not exceed thirty-two (32) square feet.
(2) Directory signs. Buildings with multiple tenants may have one directory sign per business establishment. Directory signs shall be mounted flat against the face of the building like a wall sign. The area of directory signage will count against the total allowable square footage per business establishment.
(3) Projecting signs-special exception. One projecting sign shall be allowed for each business establishment occupying a building subject to the following conditions:
A. Maximum size - twelve (12) square feet
B. Minimum clearance to grade - nine (9) feet
C. Maximum horizontal projection from face of building - six (6) feet
D. May not project above the roofline of the building to which it is attached.
(4) Awnings with Signage.
A. Any sign included as part of an awning shall be considered the same as a wall sign. No awning or canopy may extend beyond two (2) feet back of the curb line.
B. One double-faced nameplate may be suspended from an awning or canopy perpendicular to the storefront, provided the requirements of subsection (c)(3) are observed. All awnings and canopies shall be erected so that their lowest point is at least eight (8) feet above the sidewalk.
C. One double-faced nameplate may be suspended from an awning or canopy perpendicular to the store front, provided the requirements of subsection (c)(3) above are observed.
D. Awnings (with or without signage) are permissible only if of the traditional, forty-five (45) degree style, are of canvas material, and are of compatible color. Waterfall awnings are specifically not permissible. Awnings must be attached to mortar joints and not to brick.
(5) Window Signs. Each business establishment shall be allowed to utilize lettering on the doors and windows of their respective buildings subject to the following conditions:
A. Ground Floor Occupants. Notwithstanding the permitted area set forth in Section 1349.11(a), a window sign shall not exceed thirty percent (30%) of the total glass area of the ground floor windows.
B. Upper Story Occupants. For a multi-story building, each occupant above the ground floor shall be permitted one permanent sign to be placed in a window of the occupant's space, not to exceed ten (10) square feet or thirty percent (30%) of the area of the window in which the sign is placed, whichever is smaller.
C. Lettering material is to be paint or adhesive lettering of a permanent nature. Temporary markings on windows are not permitted.
D. Each business establishment may display its address on one window or door in lettering not to exceed six (6) inches in height. Address lettering shall not count against the total allowable square footage per business establishment.
(6) Temporary signs. One temporary sign may be displayed by any business in any Design District, providing said temporary sign conforms to the following criteria:
A. Maximum sign area dimension: three (3) feet wide and four (4) feet high.
B. Temporary signs may be used by a new business, a business changing location or to advertise a special sale.
C. Temporary signs may not be used for longer than two (2) weeks.
D. Temporary signs may not be used more than four (4) times each year per business.
E. All temporary mobile or portable banners, pennants, streamers, flags shall be considered temporary signs, and shall be subject to the restrictions of this subsection.
F. The area of a temporary window sign, either affixed or visible from the outside, shall not exceed the percentage of the window area as set forth in Section 1349.11(c)(5). This area is in addition to the allowable sign area for identification signs that are permanently attached to windows.
G. Businesses subject to short-term lease agreements of sixty (60) days or less may utilize temporary signage guidelines; however, signage intended to be used longer than two (2) weeks will be considered permanent signage.
H. A-frame ("sandwich board") sidewalk signs can be utilized by merchants subject to the following standards:
1. Printed permanent signs are preferred
2. Each business establishment is allowed one such sign unless the business has frontage on more than one street or inhabits multiple storefronts.
3. Signs may not exceed forty-eight inches by twenty-four inches (48"x24") and must be weighted.
4. Chalkboard signs are allowed as long as lettering remains legible.
5. Signs must not interfere with pedestrian traffic, impede wheelchair access, or interfere with opening of vehicle doors.
(7) First floor window displays and signage are considered an integral part of the overall design of a building and are subject to the following Design Guidelines.
A. Windows may contain displays portraying the nature of the business inside.
B. Storefronts may cover the windows until the business opens. Such covering must be removed no later than six (6) months from the date on which it was installed. Such coverings must contain the language pertaining to the type of business that is opening, as well as the timing of the opening, such as: "New Italian Restaurant Opening in May 2023".
C. Paper may not be used to cover windows for any longer than a six (6) month period.
D. Short "cafe" type curtains are permitted in any business establishment.
(8) Banners. No banners may be displayed in the Design District except as follows:
A. Review and Approval. Requests shall be directed to the Design Review Board through the Zoning Inspector. An application fee may apply. A color print of the banner design and the time of display desired shall be submitted with the application. It is strongly recommended that sponsoring entities do not begin banner production until approval is granted by the Design Review Board. The sponsoring entity is responsible for expenses incurred by the applicant during the review process, regardless of approval or denial.
B. Content. Appropriate communication content includes the promotion of a nonprofit entity, sponsorship of a special event, sponsorship of a civic event, or promotion or sponsorship of a historic neighborhood or street, or an historic anniversary. For-profit entities are restricted to promoting their sponsorship of one of the above. Banners may not include telephone numbers, email addresses, fax numbers, or website addresses. Commercial terminology, including slogans, may not be incorporated. For-profit entities may print their name or logo, or both, at the bottom of the banner to indicate sponsorship of the banner.
C. Material. All banners must be constructed of appropriate material, matte-finish vinyl or flame-retardant canvas that can accommodate the design specifications.
D. Dimensions. For single banner on pole installations, banners must be eighteen inches (18") wide by forty-eight inches (48") high out-to-out, when measured flat. Banners must feature a double hem of three inches (3") at the top and bottom. Banners that do not meet specifications may create installation difficulties.
E. Graphic Design. It is recommended that a banner's graphic design symbolically represent the promoted subject matter. Primary colors are recommended as background colors. Additionally, banner typography must be legible from a distance of twenty feet (20') and should include no more than eight to ten (8-10) words plus one to two (1-2) logos or symbols. Banners must be printed on both sides.
F. Banner Placement. The Village of Millersburg ultimately approves the placement of all banners in the Design District. Placing banners on poles beyond those that are adjacent to the sponsoring entity's building will be at the Village of Millersburg's discretion. Additionally, banners shall be hung so that sight lines to traffic control devices are not obstructed.
G. Length of Placement, Removal and Storage. Banners installed to promote a special or civic event may be installed up to sixty (60) days prior to the event and removed no later than one week following the event's conclusion. Banners installed to recognize an anniversary may remain in place for one (1) year.
H. Number of Banners. A maximum of six (6) banners featuring an organization or event can be displayed at any given time.
I. Banner Installation, Removal and Storage. The Village shall at its discretion install and remove the approved banners. Applicants are responsible for storing their banners appropriately for future reuse, if desired and appropriate.
J. Maintenance. Installed banners and bracket hardware will be regularly inspected by the Village to assure safety. Damaged banners are the responsibility of the sponsor or owner.
(d) Upon closing or relocation of any business, all signage referring to that business must be removed within sixty (60) days of abandonment.
(e) The Design Review Board shall make its decision approving, denying, or denying with proposed modifications, the application submitted to it within thirty (30) days after the application was first considered by such Board at a regular or special meeting. All decisions by the Design Review Board shall be made in a public forum and applicants shall be given written notification of decisions. Any denial shall be based upon failure to comply with the applicable sign and window display standards and shall describe the basis for the finding of such Design Review Board of such non-compliance.
(Ord. 2023-108. Passed 1-8-24.)