(A) Sign area shall include the spaces between the components of the sign as well as the area of the sign components themselves. Where components of a sign are not parallel, the sign area shall be the surface of the regular geometric shape which most nearly encloses the components.
(B) After calculating permitted sign area, the following rules for allocation shall apply:
(1) For single ownership or ground leases, sign area shall be based on the ownership or lease. Where more than one building is owned or leased, sign area may be allocated to one or all buildings. Where property is divided by sale or lease, signs which are no longer conforming shall be eliminated as provided elsewhere in this article.
(2) For building leases as in a shopping center, the sign area allocated to each building or business within a building shall be based on building frontage. Sign area calculated from one building or business frontage, even if unused, shall not be allocated to another building or business unless a master sign program is submitted for all signs in the shopping center and approved by the commission as provided in sections 16-530 to 16-553. Where property is divided by sale or lease, signs which are no longer conforming shall be eliminated as provided elsewhere in this article.
(C) The commission may approve by special use permit the installation of a nonconforming sign to provide uniform signs among contiguous commercial development in a shopping center or multiple use commercial buildings where the majority of existing businesses have nonconforming signs; provided, however, that such sign shall be substantially similar in size, type and location and shall be abated within the time period applicable to existing nonconforming signs in the development. The commission shall consider the relative type, size, location and economic advantage of the sign proposed to be installed and existing signs in the development.
(`64 Code, Sec. 34-181.1) (Ord. No. 173)