§ 40-254. Signs in the Main Street Overlay District.
(a)
General.
(1)
Purpose. The purpose of the Palestine Main Street District Sign Ordinance is to encourage the preservation of historic signs and development of new signs which are compatible with their surroundings and enhance the building while giving opportunities for individual expression. Main Street's purpose is based on the historic nature of the district for tourism and economic development enhancement. Signs should be of appropriate historical design when possible and do not visually obscure significant architectural features of the building.
(2)
Signs should be in balance with the overall character of the property. Signs may be expressed in a variety of styles. A sign should be in character with the material, color and detail of the building.
(3)
All current signs, as of August 15, 2011, will be considered exempt from this sign ordinance and will be "grandfathered" into the Main Street District. Such signs will be considered legal and nonconforming within the guidelines of this section. Any sign that is deemed "grandfathered" shall be considered no longer exempt if more than 50 percent is replaced due to age, damage or change of business, at such time the Main Street Sign Ordinance will be in effect.
(b)
Definitions and specifications.
(1)
Signboard.
a.
Definition. A signboard is any flat sign mounted or applied to a building facade.
b.
Specifications.
1.
Number. Each building may have one signboard or projecting sign oriented to its primary or entrance frontage. A building located at a corner may also have one signboard oriented to its secondary or side street frontage. In the situation of multiple occupant/tenant sign special consideration shall be considered on a per application basis.
2.
Size. For every one linear foot of building primary or entrance footage, two square feet of sign area shall be allowed. Signboards on secondary or side-street frontage shall not exceed the size of signboards on the primary or entrance frontage.
3.
Location. Place signs on the building's sign frieze, which is the horizontal flat bank above the store windows. Original signs, either on flat signboards or made of individual letters attached to the sign frieze, were designed as an integral part of the building.
(2)
Window sign.
a.
Definition. Any permanent sign painted, applied to, or hung inside or outside a window glass.
b.
Specifications.
1.
Size. Window signs shall cover no more than 30 percent of the total glass areas of the window on which they are placed. The sign coverage shall be determined by an imaginary square or rectangle that encompasses the window sign glass.
(3)
Projecting sign.
a.
Definition. Any sign attached to and placed perpendicular to a building facade and can have print on both sides.
b.
Specifications.
1.
Number. Each building may have one signboard or projecting sign oriented to its primary or entrance frontage.
2.
Size. Projecting signs for one story buildings shall be no more than 15 square feet in size, with a maximum sign height of three feet. Signs for multi-story buildings must be proportional in size to the building and are subject to approval by the Main Street Advisory Board.
3.
Location. Projecting signs shall have a minimum clearance from the side walk of ten feet to the bottom of the sign and shall not project more than half of the sidewalk width.
(4)
Hanging sign.
a.
Definition. Any sign suspended from an awning or canopy and can have print on both sides.
b.
Specifications.
1.
Number. Each entrance that faces a street may have one hanging sign per building.
2.
Size. Each face of a hanging sign shall be no more than eight square feet in size.
3.
Location. Hanging signs shall be allowed when such signs have a minimum clearance of seven-foot height from the sidewalk and do not extend beyond the awning or canopy projection.
(5)
Awning sign.
a.
Definition. Any sign painted or applied to the valance of a fabric or rigid awning. Signs are not permitted on the top or side panels of an awning.
b.
Specifications.
1.
Awning signs may not be back lit.
2.
Awnings attached to the same building must be the same shape, color and height, regardless of individual business ownership or tenancy in the building.
3.
Number. Awning valance signs may be used in addition to a signboard or projecting sign.
4.
Size. Awning sign size shall not exceed the surface of the awning.
5.
Location. The awning sign shall be located within the center 75 percent of the frontage of the awning, the tenancy, or the building face, whichever is least. Awning signs must maintain a minimum border of one inch between the body of the letters or logo and the edge or a change of plane.
(6)
Freestanding hanging signs.
a.
Definition. Any sign that is a freestanding sign suspended from a bracket attached to pole or post located near the sidewalk in areas where the primary structure is set back from the street.
b.
Specifications.
1.
Freestanding signs may not obstruct traffic or the right-of-way.
2.
Number. No more than one freestanding hanging sign per business.
3.
Size. Freestanding hanging signs should be no more than a maximum of 15 square feet.
4.
Location. Freestanding hanging sign must have a minimum seven-foot clearance from the sidewalk or ground surface.
(7)
Directory sign.
a.
Specifications.
1.
On multi-tenant buildings where there are two or more tenants without direct outside access to a public street, a directory sign may be allowed.
2.
Number. One directory sign per street face is permitted.
3.
Size. All directory signs shall be a maximum of ten square feet.
4.
Location. All directory signs must be in proximity to an entry door.
(8)
Temporary sign and banners.
a.
Definition. Any sign that is a banner or that is used for a special purpose, such as limited-time offers and sales.
b.
Specifications.
1.
Number. Each business shall be allowed two banner permits per calendar year, and each permit shall be good for a maximum of 30 days. A minimum of 30 days shall be required between each banner permit.
2.
Banners shall be kept in good repair and remain firmly anchored or secured.
3.
Location. No more than one banner sign shall be permitted across the facade of a building or business or in any other location on a single property.
(9)
Sidewalk Sign
a.
Definition. A sandwich board, A-frame, or easel-mounted sign that is portable and intended for the pedestrian walking on the sidewalk.
b.
Specifications.
1.
The sign shall be sufficiently weighted or anchored to prevent movement by wind or other elements.
2.
The display of a sidewalk sign is limited to operating business hours of the business.
3.
Number. No more than one A-frame or sandwich board sign per business shall be allowed.
4.
Size. No A-frame or sandwich board shall exceed eight square feet per side. The measurement of the sign structure shall be calculated as the total of the flat surface of the sign area per side, and does not include framing, support or legs.
5.
Location. A minimum of three feet of clear sidewalk shall be maintained at all times. All sidewalk signs shall be limited to the street frontage of the business.
(10)
Ghost sign.
a.
Definition. A facade sign at least 50 years old on an exterior building wall. Such signs are unique due to their age, letter style, outdated trademark, defunct company, obsolete product, or clue as to the history of the building's occupancy.
(11)
Landmark sign.
a.
Definition. A sign at least 20 years old that is visible for one-half mile or more from a major thoroughfare or expressway and which, by reason of unique design, size, configuration, or its product's/company's long association with the city, is of extraordinary local significance.
b.
Specifications. Review of this type of sign will be conducted by the Main Street Board on a case-by-case basis when permits are sought.
(12)
Historic sign.
a.
Definition. A sign that, by its construction materials, unusual age, prominent location, unique design, or craftsmanship from another period, makes a contribution to the cultural, historic, or aesthetic quality of the city's streetscape. Examples include: Historic signs, porcelain or neon signs, theater marquees, or signs made up of the three-dimensional stainless-steel letters, and should be of such an age that they are no longer economically viable to produce or manufacture.
b.
Specifications. Review of this type of sign will be conducted by the Main Street Board on a case-by-case basis when permits are sought.
(13)
Spectacular.
a.
Definition. A large, lighted sign that is a landmark due to its extreme size, elaborate animation, variety of colors, and obvious expense. A sign must embody all of these characteristics to be considered as "spectacular."
b.
Specifications. Review of this type of sign will be conducted by the Main Street Board on a case-by-case basis when permits are sought.
(c)
Any sign design or variance not addressed within these confines shall be brought before the Main Street Advisory Board for approval. Pictures of historic signs may be used for the approval process.
(d)
Variance.
(1)
The Main Street Advisory Board may grant a variance permitting noncompliance with any provision of this section.
(2)
To request a variance decision from the Main Street Advisory Board, applicant should submit in writing a reason for the variance and proposed design rendering (if applicable) to the Main Street Advisory Board; and other than for safety or structural provisions, the Main Street Advisory Board may issue a variance decision to waive the provisions of the sign ordinance on a case-by-case basis.
(e)
Issuance of sign permits.
(1)
If applicant has a picture of a historic sign from the period of 1890 to 1950, and from a region comparable to the Palestine Main Street District, which can be adapted and replicated in period appropriate materials (as specified in the definition and specification section of Main Street Sign Ordinance), it is an allowed process for applicant to provide a copy of the picture and design specifications from the fabricator, architect, sign company or appropriate institution to the Main Street Board for approval, and such approval will be provided to development services for permit issuance.
(2)
If the design has never been attempted before in a comparable region or the appropriate time period, and there are no pictures for the correct historic time period or region, the applicant is required to meet the design criteria listed in the definition and specifications section of the Main Street Sign Ordinance.
(f)
Material, color, detail.
(1)
Interior illumination for signs shall not be allowed.
(2)
Plastic as a sign material is discouraged in the Palestine Main Street District. Internally illuminated plastic box signs are no longer allowed. There are some cases where the board will consider the use of plastic for a sign, however, such cases are rare, and the justification must be compelling. New techniques of working plastic may result in appropriate signage. Requests will be reviewed on a case-by-case basis, and money should not be invested prior to approval.
(3)
No fluorescent materials and/or paints shall be allowed.
(4)
Signs that are out of character with those seen historically and that would alter the historic character of the street are inappropriate. Any sign that visually overpowers the building or obscures significant architectural features is inappropriate. Animated and electronic digital or programmable signs are prohibited.
(5)
Sign materials should be compatible with that of building facade.
(6)
Colors for the sign are limited to colors compatible with the building front. Signs that are not from a four color process shall be limited in number of colors, no more than three colors shall be used.
(g)
Maintenance of signs.
(1)
All signage is required to be maintained:
a.
Re-secure sign mounts to the building fronts.
b.
Repaint faded graphics.
c.
Repair worn wiring.
d.
Replace burned out bulbs.
e.
Remove nonhistoric, obsolete signs.
1.
Except as provided in subsection e.2. below, obsolete signs for a business no longer in operation for a period of six months or longer, as well as all sign-hanging materials, must be removed.
2.
Obsolete signs that may be considered under the ghost, historic or landmark sign section of the Main Street Sign Ordinance may be brought before the Main Street Board for review on a case-by-case basis.
f.
Preserve historic painted signs in place as decorative features.
(h)
Procedure.
(1)
The Main Street Advisory Board has full authority over signs in the Main Street District. Any design or variance the requirements in subsection (g) must be approved by the board.
(2)
The applicant may, within ten days of the decision of the board to deny an application, file an appeal of that decision. The city council will consider the appeal. Such appeal is denied by operation of law, and the board's decision will stand, if the city council takes no action on the appeal within 60 days of the board's decision. The city council may affirm the board's decision, take the action it determines the board should have taken, or remand the application to the board for reconsideration with instructions.
(3)
The City of Palestine reserves the right for revocation of sign permit if the final sign is different from the design submitted to the Main Street Advisory Board.
(4)
Other than safety and structural requirements, any provision of this sign ordinance may be waived by the city council for historic or unique signs upon application for relief by the sign owner or by a city initiated application.
a.
The Main Street Advisory Board will recommend to the city council whether to declare a sign or group of signs to be "historic" or "unique," and thereby grant a waiver to one or more requirements of this section.
b.
Upon granting the waiver, the sign or group of signs shall be deemed to conform to this section.
(5)
Historic, ghost, landmarked, or spectacular sign guidelines. Signs may be so designated upon the finding that they exhibit unique characteristics that enhance the streetscape or the historic identity of the city or neighborhood. The sign shall be found to be a ghost sign or historic sign the continued existence of which is encouraged and is beneficial to the public good. Such a sign contributes to the historical or cultural character of the streetscape and community at large.
(Ord. No. O-52-11, § XII, 11-14-2011)