§ 255-153.6. FW Ft. Washington Village District.

[Added 2-13-2007 by Ord. No. 1182, § 4]

The location and design of signs in the FW Ft. Washington Village District shall be approved by the Board of Commissioners in conjunction with the final land development plan, or at a time otherwise provided in land development approvals. The following regulations shall apply to all uses within this district:

   A.   General provisions.

      (1)   Signs must:

         (a)   Maintain a style that is compatible with the historic nature of the district and unify the streetscape within the FWVD.

         (b)   Be pedestrian oriented and be in proportion with the architecture of the building , yet be sufficiently legible to a passing motorist.

      (2)   Signs shall be designed and constructed to give the appearance of natural materials and be complimentary in their use of shape.

      (3)   Signs shall not be internally illuminated or use neon lights.

      (4)   Signs anchored in the ground shall not exceed ten feet in height.

      (5)   Signs shall not hide architectural features.

      (6)   Signs shall use colors that are vivid, varied and interesting, and legible, while compatible with the colors of the building .

      (7)   Signs hanging behind the store window shall not reduce the visual permeability of street facing windows to less than the minimum clear window requirement.

   B.   Permanent building  signs . Only two of the following four sign types shall be permitted, per use , per building facade:

      (1)   Projecting signs . No portion of a projecting sign may extend more than four feet from the building facade. A clear space of not less than eight feet shall be provided below all parts of the projecting sign . The sign may be no greater than six square feet.

      (2)   Signs painted on shop windows or other types of window graphics are permitted, provided they do not take up more than 30% of the clear window surface, and provided the minimum clear window requirement is met.

      (3)   Fire resistant canvas awnings may be used for signs provided the text is located on the vertical face of the awning flap.

         (a)   Numbers and letters shall be no taller than six inches.

         (b)   Plastic, back lit awning signs are prohibited.

         (c)   Business logos or emblems are permitted on the top or angled portion of the awning up to a maximum of three square feet. No more than one emblem or logo is permitted on an awning.

      (4)   Wall signs are permitted, provided:

         (a)   They do not exceed 5% of the wall area.

         (b)   They do not extend past the roof eaves.

         (c)   They do not block windows or hide cornices and other trim.

   C.   Temporary signs . A sidewalk sandwich board shall be permitted in addition to the above signs , provided:

      (1)   The sign face shall be no larger than four square feet per side.

      (2)   The sign shall be located directly in front of the store.

      (3)   The sign shall not create an obstruction to pedestrian traffic.

   D.   Free standing signs .

      (1)   Free standing signs are permitted by conditional use to identify an individual building with a floor area greater than 4,000 square feet. However, there shall be only one free standing sign for each property’s street frontage. The area of a free standing sign shall be no larger than 25 square feet per side, with a maximum height of 14 feet.

      (2)   Directory signs are permitted by conditional use . They may be installed in lieu of a free standing sign . These signs shall be a low pedestrian oriented monument sign no higher than 10 feet or with an area greater than 25 square feet.