SEC. 608.11. HOSPITALS AND MEDICAL CENTERS IN R DISTRICTS ADJACENT TO OR CROSS THE STREET FROM NC, C OR M DISTRICTS.

   (a)   Purposes and Findings. In addition to the purposes stated in Sections 101 and 601 of this Code, the following purposes apply to this Special Sign District. These purposes constitute the findings that form a basis for these regulations and provide guidance for their application.

      (1)   Hospitals and medical centers are distinguished from other uses in R Districts in that they provide emergency medical care vital to the health and well-being of the people of the City. Where such facilities are in R Districts and adjacent to or across the street from NC, C or M Districts, their signs are substantially obscured, ineffective, and put to a significant disadvantage by the more intense signage allowed in the NC, C or M Districts nearby, making identification of emergency facilities difficult.

      (2)   Imposing the standards of Section 607 on only those hospitals and medical centers in R Districts adjacent to or across the street from NC, C or M Districts will allow for necessary and desirable signs to the benefit of the people in need of emergency care when such identification is most critical.

      (3)   The City Planning Commission in reviewing applications for signs under this Section 608.11 shall consider the needs of pedestrians and drivers approaching the applicant institution and the character and pattern of the immediate neighborhood and those neighborhoods affected by the proposed signs so that only such signs that are required for the identification of the institution, and that are not detrimental to the surrounding neighborhoods and any panoramas or vistas in such areas, are approved.

   (b)   Control. Notwithstanding the provisions of Section 606 of this Code, a hospital or medical center in an R District and adjacent to or across the street from an NC, C or M District for a distance of at least 400 feet of total street frontage shall be subject to the provisions of Section 607 of this Code that apply to the NC, C or M District adjacent to or across the street upon approval by the City Planning Commission as a conditional use under the procedures and criteria set forth in Section 303 of this Code. The Commission, in considering an application under this Section, may permit signs, including signs located on the sides of a penthouse, that exceed the standards of Section 607 to the extent necessary to meet community needs for adequately identified medical institutions with the exception of moving parts, flashing lights and wind signs which are prohibited.

(Added by Ord. 30-85, App. 1/17/85; amended by Ord. 69-87, App. 3/13/87)