(a) General Design Criteria. In addition to ensuring compliance with the numerical standards of this Zoning Code, including those regarding the maximum size, the Architectural Board of Review shall consider the proposed general design arrangement and placement of signs as well as the appropriateness of the proposed sign in relationship to other signs and other structures both on the premises and in the surrounding areas, and shall approve only signs which are consistent with the intent, purposes, standards and criteria of this chapter. Specific standards for determining the appropriateness of signs shall include, but not be limited to, the following:
(1) The shape of the sign shall be simple and not create visual clutter, and the sign should consist of a minimum number of elements.
(2) Letters, symbols, shapes, etc. shall be large enough to be easily read but not overly large or out of scale with the building or site. (The maximum lettering size for service station fuel prices is specifically noted in Section 1272.03(d)(6)A ).
(3) A contrast between the message and the background shall permit easy recognition of the message.
(4) The size, style, and location of the sign shall be appropriate to the activity of the site.
(5) The sign shall complement the building and adjacent buildings by being designed and placed to enhance the architecture. The sign shall also have a minimum of advertising and reflect the primary purpose of identifying the name and type of establishment.
(6) Signs shall be designed with a limited number of, and the harmonious use of, colors.
(7) Extraneous elements, which may exist because of past inappropriate remodeling, and which exist at the time a new sign is proposed shall be removed to improve the clarity and design of the proposed sign and restore the intended character of the building.
(8) Signs, if seen in series, shall have a continuity of design, with the style of the signs generally consistent throughout the building or block.
(9) Directional signs shall contain the minimum information and make use of the minimum area necessary to convey the message and instruct the viewer in the safe and efficient use of the facility.
(10) Visible frames or supports for projecting signs shall be artistic in nature.
(11) A sign should be constructed with a minimum of different types of materials so as to provide a consistent overall appearance.
(12) The areas of windows of businesses not covered by signs shall provide a showcase for products or present an esthetically attractive view of the interior of the premises as judged by the Architectural Board of Review. (The view will not, for example, show or expose the back side of product shelving, or equipment.) If the window area is not to provide an attractive view, the owner may propose a method to cover the windows to meet the esthetic requirement as judged by the Architectural Board of Review.
(b) Canopy Sign. One canopy sign may be made a part of the fascia of a canopy over an entrance/exit of each business or office use, provided the total area of one face of the sign does not exceed eight square feet, the vertical dimension of the sign does not exceed twelve inches, the horizontal dimension of the sign does not exceed ninety-six inches and the lowest structural member is not less than eight feet above the sidewalk grade. Such a canopy sign shall be painted or surface mounted only onto the facing edge of the canopy. Canopy signs may be placed on the vertical faces of a canopy or marquee but shall not be permitted where the canopy or marquee projects over any public right-of-way.
(c) Directional Signs. If deemed necessary, two directional signs of permanent construction indicating traffic routes within parking areas or driveways, each not exceeding four square feet in total area per side and four feet in height above natural grade, shall be permitted at any entrance/exit to any building or lot, provided that no part of the sign or the support thereof is located less than two feet from any lot line.
(d) Ground or Pylon Sign. One ground sign, not to exceed twenty-four square feet in total area per side and four feet in height above the natural grade, or one pylon sign, not to exceed thirty square feet in total area and eight feet in height above the natural grade, shall be permitted subject to the requirements herein, unless a smaller size is specifically permitted in Section 1272.04. For either sign, the lowest horizontal structural member shall be no more than twenty- four inches above the ground. Any permitted ground or pylon sign shall be located no closer than five feet from any lot line or access drive or twenty-five feet from a residential district or residence lot. Such signs shall be located on the same lot as the business or service to which it directs attention. Supporting columns and structural trim may be used, but in the event the face area of such supports and/or trim exceed twenty-five percent of the sign face area, the sign face area shall be reduced in size by the amount of the excess.
(e) Industrial Park Identification Sign. One industrial park identification ground or pylon sign shall be permitted for a unified development of three or more industrial buildings serviced by a common local access road. Such sign shall identify only the name and address of the industrial park. The maximum single-face sign area shall be thirty square feet. A ground sign shall not exceed five feet in height and a pylon sign ten feet in height. Such sign shall be located at the vehicular entrance to the industrial park and shall be set back a minimum of thirty-five feet from the nearest street right-of-way line and from the nearest edge of the pavement of a private drive.
(f) Office or Medical Park Identification Signs. One office park or medical park identification ground or pylon sign may be permitted for a unified development of three or more industrial buildings serviced by a common local access road. Such sign shall only identify the name and address of the park. The maximum single face sign area shall not exceed thirty square feet. A ground sign shall not exceed five feet in height and a pylon sign ten feet in height. Such sign shall be located at the vehicular entrance to the industrial park and shall be set back a minimum of thirty-five feet from the nearest street right-of-way line and the nearest edge of pavement of a private drive.
(g) Pole Signs. It is the intention of this Zoning Code to eliminate the use of pole signs in the City of Olmsted Falls.
(h) Projecting Sign. One projecting sign for each business establishment not exceeding nine square feet in area for each face may be permitted as a substitute for part of the allotment of wall sign area and subject to the regulations herein. Use of projecting signs shall be limited to applications which clearly complement a building's architectural style and that of the surrounding area, as determined by the Architectural Board of Review.
Such signs shall be attached to the wall and shall project no more than three feet therefrom at an angle of not less than ninety degrees. Projecting signs shall be fixed in place and not allowed to swing from any bar, crane, awning or other sign. Such signs shall not obstruct the windows or doors of any building; be attached to or obstruct a fire escape; or otherwise be in conflict with any safety provisions of the Building Code. A projecting sign shall project from the building occupied by the business or service to which it directs attention and may extend above the top of the wall to which it is attached, provided that no more than thirty-five percent of the total height of the sign extends above the wall. No face of a projecting sign shall be less than five feet from a side lot line or party wall of any other store or unit and no projecting sign shall be closer than twenty-five feet to any other projecting sign. If the sign is over a walkway, its lowest structural member shall be not less than eight feet above the walkway grade.
If the sign is over a public walkway, it will require the approval of the Mayor or his or her designee, who shall certify that the position does not violate legal or safety requirements.
(i) Pylon Sign. See subsection (d) hereof.
(j) Wall Signs. A wall sign shall not project more than twelve inches from the building wall to which it is attached and shall be set back from the end of the building or any party wall lines by a distance of at least three feet and shall not project beyond any corner or above the coping or eaves of any building. No wall sign shall be situated within a window or part of a window, nor shall its supporting structure cover any window or part of any window. Wall signs placed in the vertical space between windows shall not exceed a height of two-thirds of the distance between the top of a lower window and the sill of the window above or the major architectural details related thereto. No wall sign shall extend above the roof line or the top of a parapet wall. No wall sign shall wholly or partly cover any wall opening or prevent free egress or ingress from any door, window or fire escape. Wall signs shall be attached to or integral with a wall occupied by a permitted business or activity. No wall sign shall be painted directly on the wall, unless specifically permitted by the Architectural Board of Review. If there is an architectural space intended for signage, wall signs shall be designed to fit within that space.
(k) Construction Standards and Compliance With Codes.
(1) The construction, erection, and safety aspects of signs shall comply with the Building and Housing Code of the City of Olmsted Falls.
(2) Signs shall be structurally sound and located so as to pose no threat to pedestrian or vehicular traffic.
(3) Signs shall be fabricated on and of material which is of good quality, good durability, and complementary to the building of which they become a part.
(4) Sign shall be structurally designed to withstand wind pressure of thirty pounds per square foot in any direction.
(l) Maintenance. All signs shall be properly maintained. Exposed surfaces shall be clean and painted surfaces shall be maintained. Defective parts shall be replaced. The Zoning Administrator shall have the right under Sections 1272.06(d), and 1272.07(g) and (h) to order the repair or removal of any sign which is defective, damaged, or substantially deteriorated, as defined in the Building and Housing Code.
(Ord. 24-97. Passed 10-14-97.)