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O-90-2471 - 5/10/1990ORDINANCE NO.�q 7/ AN ORDINANCE AMENDING CHAPTER 4, SECTION 6, CODE OF ORDINANCES, CITY OF ROUND ROCK BY ADDING A NEW SUBSECTION N. RELATED TO SIGNS IN HISTORIC DISTRICTS; STATING THE PURPOSE; DEFINING CERTAIN TERMS; PROVIDING FOR REGULATIONS RELATING TO THE SIZE, DESIGN, MATERIALS, COLOR, ILLUMINATION, NUMBER AND PLACEMENT OF SIGNS; PROVIDING FOR TEMPORARY SIGNS; PROVIDING FOR MAINTENANCE AND REMOVAL OF SIGNS; PROVIDING FOR A PERMIT; PROVIDING FOR A SAVINGS CLAUSE AND REPEALING CONFLICTING ORDINANCES. THAT: BE IT ORDAINED BY THE COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF ROUND ROCK, TEXAS, I. Chapter 4, Section 6, Code of Ordinances, City of Round Rock is hereby amended by adding subsection N. which shall read as follows: N. Signs For Historic Districts and Historic Landmarks (1) Purpose. The purpose of this Section (N.) is to provide for supplemental sign standards to protect and enhance the unique character of the City's Historic Districts and Historic Landmarks. Except where they are in direct conflict with this Section, the provisions of other Sections of this Chapter 6 shall apply to Historic Districts and Historic Landmarks. (2) Definitions. (a) Awning sign - Any sign painted on, or applied directly to, and contained entirely within the face, valance, or side panels of an awning. (b) Banner - A cloth sign hung perpendicular to the facade of a building that is attached to the bottom of a projecting sign, awning or canopy. (c) Business shingle - Any illustration or symbol which represents the type of business which occupies the building. No wording is allowed on such signs. (d) Canopy sign - Any sign painted on, or applied directly to, and contained entirely within the vertical face of a building canopy. GCSIGNORD (e) Facade sign - Any sign painted on, or attached directly to the exterior of a building. (f) Free-standing sign - Any sign not attached to, or placed upon, a building. (g) Hanging sign - Any signboard suspended from chains, hooks, or similar means from an awning, canopy, or building structural member. (h) Historic District - As defined in Chapter 11, Section 4. (i) Historic Landmark - As defined in Chapter 11, Section 4. (j) Primary sign - An awning sign, canopy sign, facade sign, free standing sign, hanging sign, projecting sign, roof sign, or window sign. (k) Projecting sign - Any signboard attached to and placed perpendicular to a building facade. (1) Secondary sign - A business shingle or banner. (m) Sign - Any display of letters, numbers, pictures, or other symbols upon a building, structure, or other object for the purpose of attracting attention to a building, property, or the goods or services offered therein. A sign shall include all parts of which it is composed, including the frame, background, and lighting. As used herein, "sign" does not include any sign located inside a building, not intended to be seen from the building's exterior. (n) Signboard - Any flat, rigid surface not exceeding four inches in depth, as measured front to back, specifically designed as a sign. (o) Storefront - any business which occupies a ground floor area of a building with an entrance and display area located at the front of a building. (p) String pennant - Any arrangement of small pieces of fabric repetitively fastened to a string, rope, cord, or similar item. (q) Window sign - Any sign painted on, or applied directly to, any window of a building. 2. (3) Size. (a) Awning, canopy, hanging, projecting and free standing signs shall have a maximum area of ten (10) square feet. (b) Facade signs shall have a maximum area of forty (40) square feet. (c) A secondary sign shall have a maximum area of four (4) square feet. (d) Window signs shall not cover more than twenty-five percent (25%) of any window pane surface area. (4) Design. (a) The design of signs shall be compatible with the character of the surrounding Historic District and conforming signs. (b) Signs which rotate, oscillate, or display any form of motorized movement are prohibited. (c) All signs shall comply with the City building codes and regulations. (5) Materials. (a) The materials used in the construction of a sign shall be the same or similar to those found in the construction of the City's Historic Districts and Historic Landmarks. (b) Wood, metal, glass, canvass and masonry shall be acceptable materials. (c) For hanging banners, vinyl may be permitted but a cotton/polyester blend is encouraged. The use of other plastics shall be prohibited. (6) Color. (a) The colors used in a sign shall be compatible with the Historic District or Historic Landmark. (b) Wherever possible, colors from historic palettes shall be used. (c) Exceptions to colors from an historic palette may where appropriate be allowed for colors which are part of a recognized logo. 3. (7) Illumination. (a) A sign may be illuminated to provide for increased visibility. (b) Illumination shall either be from the top or ground. (c) Interior lighting within the body of the sign, flashing, moving pattern lights and back lighted awnings or canopies are prohibited. (d) Outdoor neon illumination shall be prohibited, except for dining and drinking establishments. (8) Number. (a) Each commercial storefront or building shall be entitled to one (1) facade sign, one (1) awning, canopy, hanging, or projecting sign, and one (1) secondary sign as provided in subsection (10) below. (b) Except where located on a street corner, no additional signs are permitted for a multi -tenant building. A multi -tenant building located on a street corner shall be permitted to erect one (1) additional awning, canopy, hanging, or projecting sign along the side street. (9) Placement. (a) Signs shall be placed so as not to create a health or safety hazard due to visual obstruction or physical impediment. (b) A facade sign shall be mounted flush to the side of the building but shall not cover, obstruct, damage or otherwise adversely affect the building's salient architectural or historic features. (c) Signs which obscure or interfere with the function of windows or doors are prohibited. (d) Secondary signs shall be placed so that there is a minimum clearance of eight (8) feet from the bottom of the sign to the sidewalk or other pedestrian walkway. Hanging signs shall not extend beyond the outermost perimeter of the awning, canopy, or structural member to which it is attached. (e) Projecting signs shall be placed so that there is a minimum clearance of ten (10) feet from the bottom of the sign to the sidewalk or other pedestrian walkway. 4. Projecting signs shall not extend above any public street. (f) Roof mounted signs are prohibited. (g) Free standing signs are prohibited with the following exceptions only: (i) A free standing sign shall be permitted for any development of one (1) acre or more with multiple buildings. (ii) A free standing sign shall be permitted where building setbacks or surrounding buildings obscure the view of permitted projecting, awning or canopy signs. Such permitted free standing signs shall be no larger than ten (10 ) square feet, shall not exceed twenty ( 2 0 ) feet in height, shall have a minimum clearance below the bottom of the sign of eight (8) feet above any sidewalk or other pedestrian walkway. No minimum clearance shall be required beneath free standing signs which are not above a sidewalk or other pedestrian walkway. A free standing sign shall be in lieu of any projecting, awning or canopy sign. (l0) Secondary Signs. (a) In addition to any primary signs which are permitted, secondary signs as provided below are permitted. (i) One (1) business shingle or banner may be hung from a projecting sign, awning or canopy. Two (2) on-site signs, each no larger than ten (10) square feet advertising the premises for sale and/or lease shall be permitted for the period of time required to achieve the advertised transaction. (b) String pennants are prohibited. (11) Maintenance. (a) All signs shall be properly placed and continuously maintained so as not to become a safety hazard or detract from the appearance of the Historic District or Historic Landmark. 5. (12) Removal of signs. (a) All signs advertising or related to a business shall be removed within thirty (30) days of termination of occupancy of that business. (13) Sign permits. (a) No primary or secondary sign shall be erected in an Historic District or on an Historic Landmark without first obtaining a permit therefor. (b) In addition to obtaining any required building permit, every applicant for a primary or secondary sign shall submit to the Planning Department complete information on all aspects of the proposed primary sign, including type, dimensions, design, color, materials, content, purpose and placement. The submittal shall consist of a completed sign application form, construction plans, and a sample set of the proposed materials and/or paint colors. Any other documentation including photographs and catalogs, which may further support the application, are encouraged to be included. (c) If the Planning Department determines that an application for a primary sign permit is not in compliance with this Section N., the application shall be denied. If the applicant wishes to appeal the Planning Department's decision to the Historic Preservation Commission, he must file written notice to do so within ten (10) days of receipt of written notice that his application was denied. The decision of the Historic Preservation Commission shall be final. (d) Normal maintenance of signs and minor changes in wording or design, which maintains the size, color, and style of an approved sign does not require a new permit. II. A. All ordinances, parts of ordinances, or resolutions in conflict herewith are expressly repealed. B. The invalidity of any section or provision of this ordinance shall not invalidate other sections or provisions thereof. 6. Alternative 1 By Motion duly made, seconded and passed with an affirmative vote of all Council members present, the requirement for reading this ordinance on two separate days was dispensed with. READ, PASSED and ADOPTED on first reading this the/01 day of 1990. Alternative 2 READ AND APPROVED on first reading this day of , 1990. READ AND ADOPTED on second reading this day of 1990. ATTEST: 06ANNE LAND, C ty Secretary 7. Y-wl ALI MIKE ROBINSON, Mayor City of Round Rock, Texas SUMMARY OF HISTORIC DISTRICT SIGN ORDINANCE CHANGES The ordinance establishes concrete guidelines for both Historic Districts, where there were none before. The previous sign ordinance was the standard City sign ordinance with a required hearing and approval process before the HPC. This new ordinance eliminates the potential for arbitrary acceptance or rejection, and provides a standard for all future sign approvals. This new ordinance maintains, and hopes to improve, the character of the historic areas, while at the same time providing greater freedom of expression for the merchants. The major changes to the Historic District Sign Ordinance are as follows: 1.) The new ordinance permits one (10 SO awning, canopy, projecting or hanging sign, for every storefront. This was previously prohibited, and is in addition to the 40 SF facade signs that are presently allowed. (An additional awning, canopy, projecting or hanging sign is permitted for all corner buildings with multi -tenants.) 2.) A.) The new ordinance will allow a (4 SF) 'Business Shingle" to be hung from any awning, canopy, or projecting sign. This may not have any writing, and can be hung year round. A business shingle is a graphic representation of the place of business, ie. a barber shop pole, scales of justice for a lawyer, or a guitar for a guitar shop. B.) The new ordinance also allows a (4 SF) "Secondary Banner/Sign" which may hang in place of the Business Shingle. Design approval and size are the only restrictions. This allows temporary advertising year round while maintaining the character of the districts. 3.) The new ordinance places some guidelines on the use and size of window signs in the districts. These new guidelines address the maximum percent of a window which may be covered by a sign. 4.) A major change is the elimination of sign review by the HPC, so that the HPC may concentrate on more progressive agendas. Staff review will also create a quicker review period for merchants. 5.) HPC approval and a permit will no longer be required for minor modifications, or maintenance to an approved sign so long as the general design, color and size are maintained. 6.) Monument, free-standing and window signs are now better defined and monitored in this ordinance, where before they were not included. The ordinance allows a great deal of flexibility in utilizing the allotted signs in a variety of manners. A much greater degree of freedom in style, color, and shapes will be permitted in the approval process. Staff approval will be limited to preventing gaudy, unsightly and offensive signs, while at the same time providing assistance in developing unique and creative signs and shingles. NOTE: A Sign Design Guideline pamphlet has been created by this department to assist merchants in the development of new and creative signs that are not only inexpensive but effective. DATE: May 8, 1990 SUBJECT: City Council Meetinq, May 10, 1990 ITEM: 12C. Consider an ordinance amending Chapter 4, Code of Ordinances, concerning Historic District siqns. (First Reading) STAFF RESOURCE PERSON: Joe Vininq STAFF RECOMMENDATION: APPROVAL THIS ORDINANCE AMENDS CHAPTER 4, SECTION 6 OF THE CODE OF ORDINANCES BY ADDING SUB -SECTION N AS OUTLINED IN THE ATTACHED SUMMARY SHEET.