§ 656.1335. Design review.

Applications for sign permits submitted within the Downtown Sign Overlay Area shall be submitted to the DDRB staff to be reviewed by the DDRB for a recommendation of approval or denial based on the following criteria:

(a)

The relationship of the scale and placement of the sign to the building or premises upon which it is to be displayed. Signs should respect the architectural features of the facade and be sized and placed subordinate to those features. Overlapping of functional windows, extensions beyond parapet edges obscuring architectural ornamentation or disruption of dominant facade lines are examples of sign design problems considered unacceptable.

(b)

The relationship of colors of the sign to the building it is to be attached to and colors of adjacent buildings and nearby street graphics. The sign's color and value (shades of light and dark) should be harmonious with building materials. Strong contrasts in color or value between the sign and building that draw undue visual attention to the sign at the expense of the overall architectural composition should be avoided.

(c)

The similarity or dissimilarity of the sign's size, shape and lettering to the size, shape and lettering of other conforming signs in the surrounding area.

(d)

The compatibility of the type of illumination, if any, with the type illumination in the surrounding area. A reverse channel letter that silhouettes the sign against a lighted building is desirable. Lighting of a sign should accompanied by accent lighting of the building's distinctive architectural features and especially the facade area surrounding the sign. Lighted signs on unlit buildings are unacceptable. The objective is a visual lighting emphasis on the building with the lighted sign as subordinate. The following types of sign illumination shall not be permitted:

(1)

Exposed fluorescent lighting other than neon;

(2)

Exposed quartz, high or low pressure sodium mercury vapor, or metal halide lighting;

(3)

Exposed incandescent lamps, other than low-wattage, purely decorative lighting;

(4)

Signs projected onto the surface of a building.

Figure 3 depicts preferred types of sign illumination. Figures 1—3 are located following Section 656.1336.

(e)

The compatibility of the materials used in the construction of the sign with the material used in the construction of other conforming signs in the surrounding area.

(f)

The aesthetic and architectural compatibility of the proposed sign to the building upon which the sign is suspended and the surrounding buildings.

(g)

The proposed signs shall be of high quality, durable materials. Preferred materials include hardwoods, painted woods, metal, or plastic.

(Ord. 2002-446-E, § 1; Ord. 2014-560-E , § 17)