In addition to the applicable zoning district requirements listed above, all signs to be placed within the Harbour Town Historic District shall be reviewed as follows:
(a) All applicants who apply for a building permit for a sign to be placed within the Harbour Town Historic District, as defined in Chapter 1224, are to be referred to the Harbour Town Design and Review Board by the City Building Inspector for an advisory review of the design of the proposed sign prior to issuance of a building permit. The Board shall advise the applicant whether the proposed sign is compatible with the architectural character and materials of the building on which it is to be placed and whether it is harmonious with the historical character and nautical atmosphere of the Historic District. The Board shall consider the composition of the overall design, construction materials, textures, colors, lettering, styles, graphics, shape and lighting. The Board shall review the proposed sign and issue advisory design recommendations within thirty days of the building permit application date. If not returned by the Design and Review Board within this time limit, the application will be deemed to have its recommendation.
(b) Within the Harbour Town Historic District of the City, projecting signs of an appropriate design, which are in keeping with the architectural character of the building on which they are placed and which are harmonious with the historical character and nautical atmosphere of the area, may be permitted as a special use upon an advisory review by the Design and Review Board and approval from the Board of Zoning Appeals on condition that such signs do not exceed six square feet in area, are constructed of wood or metal and are mounted or suspended on an iron bracket. Furthermore, such projecting signs must clear sidewalks by at least eight feet; may project no more than three feet from the building wall surface; are not permitted at the intersection of corners, except at right angles to a building front; and may not extend vertically beyond the roof eave or parapet. No more than one such projecting sign may be specially permitted for each building or for each ground floor business in a building occupied by more than one business. The method of construction and attachment to the building must be approved by the City Building Inspector and City Engineer.
All letters, figures, characters or representations in cut-out or irregular form, maintained in conjunction with, attached to, or superimposed upon any sign, shall be safely and securely built or attached to the sign structure. Projecting signs exceeding fifty pounds in weight shall not be attached to nor supported by frame buildings nor the wooden framework of a building. Such signs shall be attached to masonry walls with galvanized expansion bolts of at least three-eighths of an inch in diameter, or shall be fixed in the wall by means of bolts extending through the wall, and shall contain a proper size metal washer or plate on the inside of the wall. No projecting sign shall be secured with wire, strips of wood or nails, nor shall any projecting sign be hung or secured to any other sign.
(c) Within the Harbour Town Historic District of the City, portable signs or freestanding pole signs of an appropriate design, which are in keeping with the architectural character and materials of the building on or near which they are placed and which are harmonious with the historical character and nautical atmosphere of the area, may be permitted on the sidewalk of a special use upon an advisory review by the Design and Review Board and approval from the Board of Zoning Appeals on condition that such signs do not exceed twelve square feet in area, do not exceed twelve feet in height, are located on the sidewalk in a manner and location so as not to be a hazard to either pedestrian or vehicular traffic on the adjoining street, such manner and location to be approved by the Board of Zoning Appeals.
(d) All signs within the Harbour Town Historic District should be of a color scheme compatible with the buildings, of wood or metal construction, with the use of plastic to be discouraged, and should incorporate graphic symbols and styles typical of the era when the building was constructed and expressive of the business enterprise.
(Ord. 89-8. Passed 12-4-89.)