The following specific signs may be erected in accordance with the requirements of Section 1155.06. These signs shall be applied toward the maximum sign area allowance specified in each sign district, except as otherwise indicated in this subsection.
(a) Development sign. One foundation monument sign in Residential District or residentially zoned lots shall be permitted at each street entrance to a large scale residential development; provided the following requirements are met:
1. The sign shall not exceed a total area of forty square feet, twenty square feet per sign face (for a double faced sign), nor a height of six feet. Architectural features of the sign shall not be included in calculating the sign area.
2. The distance between two development signs shall be no less than 150 feet as measured along the frontage of the lot.
3. The sign shall not be located closer than 25 feet to a street right of way line.
4. The area of a development sign may be increased by one square foot for every linear foot it is setback in excess of 25 feet.
(b) Directional signs.
1. Such signs shall not exceed a total of four square feet or two square feet per sign face (for a double faced sign) in Residential District or residentially zoned lots, or a total of six square feet, three square feet per sign face (for a double faced sign), in all others.
2. Larger directional signage may be permitted with a conditional use permit.
(c) Institutional sign. A foundation monument institutional sign shall be permitted for uses listed in section 1155.02 (i) (2) Institutional sign shalls not exceed a total of 48 square feet, 24 square feet per sign face (for a double faced sign), shall be permitted for each institution. Not more than one institutional sign may be permitted along each street providing access to the institution. No institutional sign shall exceed a height of five feet above grade. Architectural features of the sign shall not be included in calculating the sign area. The area of a institutional sign may be increased by one square foot for every linear foot it is setback in excess of 25 feet.
(d) Integral signs. Integral signs existing prior to the adoption of these regulations shall not be applied toward the maximum sign area allowance for the building into which they are incorporated.
(e) Additional real estate sign. In addition to the real estate signs described in this subsection, a nonresidential subdivision or development of greater than two acres in size may display not more than one additional, non illuminated real estate sign. Such sign shall not exceed a total of 64 square feet or 32 square feet per sign face for a double faced sign, nor a height of six feet and shall be removed upon the sale or lease of ninety-five percent of the lots or units in the subdivision or development. Such signs shall not be applied toward the maximum signage allowance specified in each sign district.
(f) Off-premises signs.
1. Off-premises signs shall not be permitted in Residential, Mixed Neighborhood, and Downtown sign districts. Off-premises signs may be constructed as billboard signs or any other type of sign allowed in the sign district in which the sign is located.
2. Not more than one off-premises sign may be erected or maintained per lot. Two or more uses may erect a common off-premises directional sign. No off-premises sign shall be erected closer than 300 feet to another off-premises sign.
3. No off-premises sign shall be located on or within 200 feet of a Residential District or residentially zoned lot, a public parking area, school, religious institution, cemetery, public museum, or the administrative, legislative, or judicial offices of government institutions.
4. An off-premises sign shall be permitted in addition to the on-premises signage permitted on a lot. However, the area of the off-premises sign shall be deducted from the total sign area allowed for the same type of on-premises sign.
5. Off-premises billboard signs shall not exceed a height of 35 feet above the height of the nearest street grade.
6. With the exception of bench billboards which are regulated under subdivision J, below, all off-premises billboard signs shall be permitted a maximum area of 144 square feet or 72 square feet per sign face for a double-faced sign; however, off-premises billboard signs must comply with Subsection 1155.04(f)(4) hereof.
7. Off-premises signs shall comply with all other sign requirements of the sign district in which they are located.
8. Off-premises signs shall not be permitted in any OHP Historic Preservation Overlay District.
9. Off-premises signs which otherwise comply with every other applicable provision of this Zoning Code shall be specifically permitted upon properties abutting any route within the City designated by the federal or state governments, or National Road Ohio Scenic Byway Advisory Group, or any like organization, as a "Scenic Byway."
10. All bench billboards shall comply with the following:
A. Design Guidelines:
i. The length of the bench billboard shall not exceed six feet or 72 inches.
ii. The height of the bench billboard shall not exceed three and on half feet or 42 inches from the ground.
iii. Bench billboards shall not weigh more than 250 pounds.
iv. Seats - seat boards shall consist of two inch by six inch boards of metal, composite, or wood construction cut to appropriate lengths and sufficiently protected against weatherization.
v. Copy face - the back of the bench upon which sign copy may be attached may not exceed twelve square feet and is to be constructed of metal and/or a minimum one-half inch plywood. Exterior grade paint must be used for any painted surfaces.
vi. Support legs - Support legs and required armrests are to be constructed of concrete and/or metal.
vii. Armrests - Armrests shall be required on all bench billboards exceeding 36 inches in length and shall be placed in the center and ends of the bench. Armrests are to be constructed of metal, concrete, or wood.
viii. The bench billboard must be placed on a continuous permanent dust-free surface of sufficient size and composition to maintain the stability of the bench billboard. Bench billboards shall rest completely within the footprint of said surface.
ix. Bench billboards not firmly attached to the ground shall be constructed so as to be able to withstand a wind pressure of not less than 80 miles per hour without falling over or blowing away.
B. A property owner may allow a bench billboard to be placed on private property subject to the following limitations:
i. A sign permit is required for each bench billboard.
ii. No bench billboard is permitted to be located within the public rights-of-way; except when the owner of the bench billboard has entered into a contract with the City of Springfield for placement of bench billboards upon public rights-of-way.
iii. Bench billboards to be placed on private property may be permitted only for those locations meeting the criteria for off-premises signs set forth in 1155.04(f) of this Zoning Code.
iv. Bench billboards shall be placed so as to not interfere with or obstruct the clear vision of pedestrians and motorists to detract approaching traffic at intersections; nor impeded the ability of pedestrians to travel along public rights-of-way.
C. All benches shall be maintained in accordance with the City's Property Maintenance Code, Chapter 1305. Any bench billboard which has fallen into such a state of disrepair or has suffered such damage and wear so as to be not in compliance with the City's Property Maintenance Code or is otherwise dangerous to use shall be promptly and without delay removed or repaired.
D. Bench billboards shall be removed promptly and without delay from locations when the sign permit for the bench billboard expires and no immediately succeeding permit is obtained.
E. Bench billboards may be located within the public rights-of-way only when the owner of the bench billboard has entered into a contract with the City of Springfield authorizing placement of the bench billboard upon public rights-of-ways. And when such location meets these requirements:
i. Bench billboards shall be placed on locations meeting the criteria for off-premises signs set forth in 1155.04(f)of this Zoning Code.
ii. Bench billboards shall be placed so as to not interfere with or obstruct the clear vision of pedestrians and motorists to detect approaching traffic at intersections; nor impede the ability of pedestrians to travel along public rights-of-way.
iii. No bench billboard shall contribute to visual clutter or create a dangerous distraction or obstruction for pedestrians and motorists.
(g) Temporary signs must be removed upon expiration of the temporary sign permit.
(h) Any other sign that is not listed in Section 1155.04 as a sign not requiring a permit.
(Ord. No. 10-242. Passed 8-3-10.)