All proposed exterior signage requires the review and approval of a sign permit by the city of West Des Moines. Signage shall abide by the standards and regulations as set forth in title 9, chapter 18, "Signs", of the city code for the regional commercial (RC) district with the following exceptions:
A. Ground Monument Signs:
1. Development Identification:
a. A maximum of two (2) ground monument "development identification" signs shall be allowed.
b. The sign structure shall not exceed ten feet (10') in height and one hundred twenty five feet (125') in overall size. The copy portion of said sign shall not exceed thirty (30) square feet in size. The name of the development shall be the predominate copy on the sign. No more than one tenant name shall be allowed on the sign with said tenant copy consisting of less than fifty percent (50%) of the allowable sign copy area.
c. Design of the sign shall incorporate architectural elements that are consistent with the architectural theme of the development such as brick, stone, medallions, trim elements, etc.
d. Cabinet signs which illuminate the background of the copy (panel signs) shall be prohibited. Copy shall be designed as individual letters which may be channel letters, routed face with push through letters, reverse channel, halo lit or an acceptable design approved by the sign and zoning administrator.
e. Said signs shall be set back a minimum of twenty feet (20') from ultimate right of way lines (south and west) and fifteen feet (15') from the east and north property boundary. Sign shall not obstruct vehicular or pedestrian visibility at intersections.
f. Development identification signs shall be required to incorporate landscaping at the base of the sign. No additional mounding of soil or berming shall be allowed to elevate the sign except as required as part of a site plan for visual screening purposes.
2. Business Identification: These signs are intended to provide for signage along South Jordan Creek Parkway even though the tenants may not be located directly adjacent to the public street. These ground monument signs shall be designed to identify the names of multiple businesses located within the development.
a. There shall be a maximum of two (2) "business identification" signs located along the Jordan Creek Parkway frontage. Said signs shall be spaced a minimum of one hundred fifty feet (150') from development identification signs and other business identification signs. Two (2) additional business identification signs shall be allowed along the east side of the development at the driveway connections to the Jordan Creek Town Center property.
b. The sign structure shall be allowed a maximum height of eleven feet (11'); however the top one foot (1') shall be utilized as a decorative top, incorporating design elements of the development to unify the signs within the development. No tenant identification shall be placed more than ten feet (10') above the ground. The design of the sign structure shall incorporate shorter elements, such as columns of lower elements along the street side of the sign to present a more human scale along the street. The maximum height of the front edge of the sign adjacent to the street shall not exceed six feet (6') in height.
c. The maximum copy area of the sign shall not exceed forty five (45) square feet. A single tenant may be identified on no more than two (2) different business identification signs.
d. Said signs shall be set back a minimum of twenty feet (20') from the ultimate street right of way lines (south and west) and fifteen feet (15') from the east and north property boundary. Signs shall not obstruct vehicular or pedestrian visibility at intersections.
e. Cabinet signs which illuminate the background of the copy (panel signs) shall be prohibited. Copy shall be designed as individual letters which may be channel letters, routed face with push through letters, reverse channel, halo lit or an acceptable design approved by the sign and zoning administrator.
f. No additional mounding of soil or berming shall be allowed to elevate the sign except as required as part of a site plan for visual screening purposes.
3. Directional Signs: A maximum of two (2) directional signs may be allowed interior to the development to assist in directing patrons through the development. The intent of directional signage is not to draw people off of the public street, so letter size and sign location shall be designed to minimize visibility and readability from the exterior of the property.
a. Said signs shall be a maximum of eight feet (8') in height with a maximum sign area, including the structure of forty (40) square feet.
b. Design of the sign shall incorporate architectural elements that are consistent with the architectural theme of the development such as brick, stone, medallions, trim elements, etc.
c. Signs shall not obstruct vehicle or pedestrian visibility at intersections.
B. Wall Signage:
1. All wall signage shall consist of individual three-dimensional letters attached directly to the building. No cabinet or panel signs shall be allowed except for contoured cabinet signs necessary to display logos. In the event cabinet signs are implemented, every measure possible shall be implemented to minimize the amount of illuminated background.
2. Signage for single-tenant buildings may be located on any wall facade. Signage for tenants within a multi-tenant building shall be located immediately adjacent to and above the tenant space. If a tenant has adequate allowable square footage of wall signage, a secondary sign may be located along the east facade of the buildings within parcels B and C.
3. Wall signage located above a roof element shall be allowed at the discretion of the development planning and inspection manager provided that the signage is located on a flat wall. Any illumination of a sign located above roof elements shall be by reverse lighting to project the light back toward the wall to create a "halo" effect; no front illumination is allowed. The individual letters shall have returns to screen the lighting source and shall be placed so the space between the wall plane and back of the letter is no greater than two inches (2").
4. Total wall signage allowed per building or tenant shall be calculated as per city code.
C. Fiber Optic Signs: LED, neon or fiber optic signs may be permitted at the discretion of the development planning and inspection manager. No moving or blinking lights shall be allowed.
D. Plaza At Jordan Creek Identification Markers: Signage, medallions, keystones, banners, pavement markings, etc., that displays the development's logo, initials, or name may be integrated into the development to further enhance the character of the development. Any illumination of these plaza identification markers shall be exterior or halo lit. No tenant identification is allowed as part of Plaza At Jordan Creek identification markers. Regulations for said markers shall not be interpreted to prevent freestanding ground signs as allowed elsewhere within this ordinance. (Ord. 1981, 4-1-2013)