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Easing of sign rules up to Pepper Pike voters
(by Sali McSherry - September 24, 2008)
Easing of sign rules up to Pepper Pike voters
By SALI McSHERRY
Pepper Pike voters will have an opportunity to vote Nov. 4 on amended commercial sign regulations in commercial districts. Introduced by Councilwoman Paulette Morganstern, the proposed amendments seek to spell out specific sign regulations that must be adhered to and to remove ambiguity.
Over the years, there has been confusion over what is acceptable in commercial signage, specifically the size of signs, city officials said. While some businesses at Landerwood Circle received variances for commercial signs, it was unclear how other retail signs were installed in the past without a city review process, they said.
The purposes of the regulations are to protect the physical appearance of the community by maintaining visually attractive office and retail districts and to promote a healthy economy by permitting businesses to inform, identify and communicate effectively and to direct the general public, according to City Council. They also are intended to ensure that signs are located and designed to reduce distraction and confusion that may be contributing factors in traffic congestion and accidents, council said.
The proposed new chapter includes definitions of signs, measurement determinations such as sign heights and building frontage, office building regulations, retail business regulations and general provisions. The legislation also includes review procedures for putting up signs, which must first be approved by the property owner.
The proposed amendments would also establish review criteria that guide the planning commission when it considers the appropriateness of requested deviations or variances.
City planning consultant David Hartt, who made many of the recommendations, said the size of commercial signs should be appropriate for the size of the building, passing motorists should be able to read the signs, and any additional signs should not adversely impact adjacent residential areas.
There are sign regulations specifically for office buildings and for retail businesses. For instance, each office building would be permitted one wall or free-standing sign not to exceed 24 square feet. A free-standing sign could be placed in front of the building line with a maximum height of 10 feet.
For retail business, the total area of wall signs cannot be greater than 1 square foot for each foot of building frontage. When a building has a second frontage, the maximum area could be increased by 50 percent.
The proposed changes address the issue of free-standing signs and the placement of wall signs, the maximum size of window signs and the number of directional signs, among other specific regulations.
Under general provisions, it was proposed that no sign shall have any flashing, blinking or moving illumination or parts. Cloth, paper or any other temporary advertising signs or panels would not be permitted. No billboards, advertising signs, signboards or directories would be permitted except for those provided for in the ordinance.
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