A. Sign permit approval is required for constructing or altering any nonexempt sign. A sign permit application shall be made in writing on forms provided by the town. The following information shall be required as part of all sign permit applications:
1. Business owner's name, address, telephone and fax number.
2. Sign contractor's name, address, telephone and fax number.
3. Inventory of all existing signs on the property showing the type and dimensions of each sign as well as a site plan showing the location of each sign.
4. Fully dimensioned plans and elevations showing the dimensions, design copy, and location of each proposed sign in relation to the property line(s) and public right of way.
5. Plans indicating the scope and structural detail of the work to be done, including details of all connections, supports, footings, and materials to be used.
6. Required information for an electrical permit for all signage illumination.
7. When a comprehensive sign package is required by this title the submittal shall include information regarding the color(s), material(s), type of sign (e.g., attached or detached), and letter samples that are for all tenant, freestanding center identification signage, directional signs and window signs, and any other information deemed necessary by the town to adequately review the comprehensive sign package.
B. Two (2) copies of all information listed in subsection A of this section shall be submitted with the application for each sign, one copy being returned to the applicant at the time the permit is issued.
C. Before issuing any sign permit required by this title, the town shall collect a fee in accordance with a fee schedule established by the town council. If work, for which a permit is required by this title, is started before a permit has been issued, the fees specified above shall be doubled. The payment of such double fee shall not relieve any persons from complying fully with the requirements of this title in the execution of the work or from any penalties prescribed herein.
D. All signs for which a permit is required shall be subject to inspections during various stages of construction as prescribed by the town of Parker building safety department.
E. When a comprehensive sign plan is required by this title, the submittal shall comply with the standards and submittal requirements as outlined below. A comprehensive sign plan is intended to provide for the establishment of signage criteria that are tailored to a specific development location, and which may vary from specific ordinance provisions. The intent is to provide for flexible sign criteria that promote superior design through architectural integration of the site, buildings and signs. A comprehensive sign plan shall demonstrate consistency and uniformity among signs within a project. The requirements of a comprehensive sign plan shall apply to all businesses and/or developments within a related project, even if the properties have been subdivided. Comprehensive sign plans approved under this section shall be evaluated based upon the following criteria:
1. Placement: All signs shall be placed where they are sufficiently visible and readable for their function. Factors to be considered shall include the purpose of the sign, its location relative to traffic movement and access points, site features and structures. In commercial centers in which some tenants are in locations having little or no street visibility, in order to provide identification, wall signs may be placed on walls of the building in which such tenants are located, even though not a wall of the space is occupied by those tenants.
2. Quantity: The number of signs that may be approved within any development shall not be greater than that required to provide project identification and entry signs, internal circulation and directional information to destinations and/or development subareas, and business identification. Factors to be considered shall include the size of the development, the number of development subareas, and the division or integration of sign functions.
3. Size: All signs shall be no larger than necessary for visibility and readability. Factors to be considered in determining appropriate size shall include topography, amount of sign copy, placement of display (location and height), lettering style and the presence of distractive influences. Specific justification must be made if a request is submitted for a freestanding or wall sign to exceed by more than twenty five percent (25%) any maximum height standard or by fifty percent (50%) any maximum area standard allowed in the regular ordinance.
4. Materials: Sign materials shall be compatible with architectural and/or natural features of the project. This may be accomplished through similarity of materials for sign structures and faces, the use of complementary colors, similarity of architectural style, or the use of a consistent lettering style or copy.
5. Context: The design of all signs should respect the context of the surrounding area and the character established by existing signage. Items to be considered include, but are not limited to, lettering style, sign placement, and architectural style.
6. Submittal Package: Ten (10) copies of the following should be submitted with the sign application to be reviewed by the town staff and planning and zoning commission. The specific submittal shall include, at a minimum, the following information:
a. Information regarding the color(s), material(s), type of sign (e.g., attached or detached), and letter samples that are for all tenant, freestanding center identification signage, directional signs, window signs and any other information deemed necessary by the town to adequately review the comprehensive sign plan (both in a graphic and written format).
b. A justification letter describing the request and how the sign structure, materials, and colors are compatible with the project's building architecture. Include a list in outline form of each sign requested, both freestanding and wall, to include verbiage, area in square feet, and height.
c. Preliminary site/landscape plan including property boundaries and dimensions. Show adjacent street right of way, existing and proposed, and existing/proposed street and sidewalk improvements noted to centerline. Show location of conceptual or existing landscape concepts including trees, shrubs, ground covers, berms, and screen walls.
d. Show location of proposed freestanding signs including dimensions, height, materials and colors, and method of illumination. Include elevations of buildings showing wall sign locations with dimensions.
7. Amendments: Applications for amendments to the comprehensive sign package shall be processed in the same way as an original application. Revisions or amendments to the comprehensive sign package shall require documentation from all tenants and/or property owners on the property prior to approval.
8. Minor Alterations: Minor alterations in sign locations resulting from unexpected conditions on site may be approved by the zoning administrator. (Ord. 03-2005, 9-6-2005)