§ 9-1-76. Sign programs.

(a)

Purpose. Sign programs are intended to provide incentive and latitude in order to achieve variety, effective identification, attractive appearance, and coordinated design for multi-tenant centers and other applicable projects.

(b)

Modifications to standards. The standards of this subarticle relating to sign number, placement, size, and height may be modified for signs in an approved sign program provided all requirements of this section are satisfied.

(c)

Applicability. Sign programs shall be required for all shopping centers, office complexes, business parks, and similar projects. In addition, freestanding business uses over 10,000 square feet in gross floor area, multiple centers or building sites sharing a common access, and other projects identified in this code are also eligible for approval of sign programs.

(d)

Procedures.

(1)

Sign programs shall be approved via a site development permit per section 9-1-114. All permanent signs subject to an approved sign program shall be consistent with that sign program. In cases where a sign program has not been adopted, individual signs shall be subject to approval of a sign permit per section 9-1-78.1.

(2)

The decision-making authority, upon completion of its review, may attach appropriate conditions to any sign program approval.

(3)

The following findings are required for approval of a sign program in addition to the other findings required for approval of a site development permit:

a.

The sign program is consistent with the purpose and intent of this subarticle;

b.

All signs within the sign program are visually coordinated via the incorporation of several common design elements such as materials, letter style, colors, illumination, sign type or sign shape.

c.

The signs within the sign program relate visually to the buildings, storefronts, or tenant spaces they identify. This may be accomplished by utilizing materials, colors, or design motif of the building being identified.

(e)

Pre-1990 sign programs. For any sign program adopted prior to January 1, 1990, the community development director shall determine if new signs or sign modifications subject to the program are consistent with the sign regulations in this subarticle. Upon submittal of an application for a sign permit, the director shall determine if the sign is of superior design and if it meets the intent of these regulations. If the director determines that the proposed sign is not consistent, the sign(s) shall be permitted only upon approval of a site development permit per section 9-1-114.

(f)

Submission materials. Applications for a sign program shall be accompanied by the following plans in addition to other applicable site development permit application materials:

(1)

Site plan. A plan, drawn to scale, delineating the site proposed to be included with the sign program.

(2)

Building elevations. Drawings and/or sketches indicating the exterior surface details of all structures on the site.

(3)

Identification signs. Drawings, to scale, indicating the sign copy size, method and intensity of illumination, height, sign area and location of all signs.

(4)

Ancillary signs. The sign program submission shall include all ancillary signs, such as interior directional and traffic control signs, handicap parking signs, liability disclosure signs, address number, etc., and shall show size, location and design of each such sign.

(Ord. No. 99-107, § 5, 2-2-99)