A. Design Compatibility: The design of all signs shall be compatible and harmonious with the colors, materials and architecture of the building and the immediate vicinity. Freestanding signs shall be finished with the same or compatible materials as the building on the site.
B. Sign Area: The area of individual signs shall be measured as follows:
1. Sign Faces Counted: Where a sign has two (2) faces containing sign copy which are oriented back to back and separated by not more than twenty four inches (24") at any point, the area of the sign shall be measured using one sign face only.
2. Wall Mounted Letters: Where a sign is composed of letters individually mounted or painted on a building wall, without a border or decorative enclosure, the sign area is that of the smallest area within which all letters and words can be enclosed.
3. Three-Dimensional Signs: Where a sign consists of one or more three-dimensional objects such as balls, cubes, clusters of objects, or sculptural or statue type trademarks, the sign area shall be measured as the area of the smallest rectangle within which the object(s) can be enclosed, when viewed from a point where the largest area of the object(s) can be seen.
4. Size: Notwithstanding applicable sign standards elsewhere in this chapter, sign size shall be proportionate to the size and scale of the site and building upon which the sign is proposed. Sign dimensions as specified in this chapter are maximum allowable dimensions; it may be necessary that signs be smaller than the maximum allowed in order to be proportionate in size and scale to achieve the design objectives of this section.
5. Commercial And Industrial Center Signs: Individual tenant signs within multi-tenant centers shall be coordinated in size, location, materials and illumination.
6. Color: Colors shall be used in coordinated groupings, and shall be compatible with those colors used in the building or project design. In general, a dark sign background is preferred with light colored copy (characters/graphics).
7. Logos And Trademarks: The use of established corporate colors or logos shall not be prohibited by this section. When established corporate colors are incompatible with building's colors, compatibility in design with the surrounding development shall be accomplished through the use of appropriate background colors or other design features.
8. Lighting Intensity: The light emitted or reflected by a sign, or emitted by a light source, shall be of reasonable intensity and shall be compatible with the architecture of the building and the immediate vicinity. Artificial light sources shall be shielded to prevent light spillage, glare or annoyance to persons on or inside adjoining properties or to public or private rights of way.
9. Illumination: Internally illuminated signs where the entire face of the sign is illuminated rather than just the graphics, are not consistent with the desired character of signs within the city and are discouraged. Illumination of established corporate logos or trademarks shall not be prohibited by this provision.
10. Sign Bases And Frames: Freestanding signs shall be either housed in a frame, or set onto a base, presenting a solid, attractive, and well proportioned appearance. The size and shape of the frame or base shall be proportionate to the size and mass of the sign and should be low profile in design. Pole type signs are not permitted.
11. Landscaping: Freestanding signs shall be located in a landscaped area proportionate to the size of the sign. Appropriate accent landscaping should be placed at the base of the sign.
12. Sign Copy: Sign copy shall be simple and concise without excessive description of services or products. Copy shall be limited to the name and nature of the business along with address of the site. On freestanding signs, sign copy shall be designed to contribute to the design of the structure on which it is displayed. In all cases, freestanding sign design and sign copy should be coordinated to provide an attractively designed freestanding element which identifies the development or project. On freestanding signs, a sign containing a telephone number and/or website of the business on site may be displayed between the pedestal and the base of the sign, measuring no more than one foot (1') in length and no more than forty percent (40%) of the base in width.
13. Wall Signs: Building signs shall be mounted flush against the building, and shall not project above the roof ridge or the top of the parapet.
14. Screening: Guywires, angle irons, braces and other support or construction elements shall be screened or hidden from view.
15. Maintenance: All signs and their supporting members shall be kept in good repair and maintained in good structural condition at all times. (Ord. 2013-006, 1-14-2014)