HomeMy WebLinkAbout3987-11/22/1993ORDINANCE NO. 3987
AN ORDINANCE AMENDING WATERLOO ZONING ORDINANCE NO. 2479,
AS AMENDED, BY ADDING A NEW SUBSECTION 2A-32, SIGNS IN
"C-3" COMMERCIAL DISTRICT, OF PART XIV "C-3" COMMERCIAL
DISTRICT.
BE IT ORDAINED by the City Council of the City of Waterloo, Iowa:
That a new subsection 2A-32, Signs in "C-3" Zoning District be added to
Waterloo Zoning Ordinance No. 2479 as amended is hereby enacted as follows:
2A-32 SIGNS IN "C-3" COMMERCIAL DISTRICT
A. Preamble:
Signs are one of the most prominent visual elements of a street. If
well designed, they add interest and variety to building facades and
attract customers. On the other hand, signs more than any other single
feature can detract from even the most attractive storefront if erected
without care.
Downtown Waterloo is undergoing a dramatic revitalization. Individual
store owners are taking an active part in this effort, realizing that
the distinctive architecture of their buildings helps to draw people to
their stores. Well designed signs that complement that distinctive
architecture can serve as a positive incentive for additional investment
by adjacent businesses and/or property owners.
For all of the foregoing reasons, we deem the following to be our
purpose in enacting this chapter: to ensure that signs are designed,
located, constructed, erected and maintained so as to preserve the
public safety of motorist and pedestrians and to preserve and promote
the natural beauty and character of the City in a manner that will
protect property values, create a more attractive economic and business
climate, promote and aid tourism which is declared to be of importance
to the economy of the City, protect pedestrians and motorists from
damage or injury caused by improperly situated signs, promote the public
safety, welfare, convenience and enjoyment of travel and the free flow
of traffic within the. City.
1. Banners Signs -
The use of exterior banner type signage shall be allowed on a temporary
basis not to exceed 60 cumulative days within one calendar year. A
calendar year shall be defined as being from January 1 - December 31.
2. Billboards
Billboards shall not be allowed in the "C-3" zoning district.
Billboards in existence within the "C-3" zoning district at the time of
enactment of this section shall be permitted to remain as permitted uses
in the underlying zoning district. Existing billboards may be
maintained, repaired, reconstructed, or replaced in the same location to
the same size of sign and height of pole as the existing billboard. In
the event an existing billboard is removed it may be replaced within the
"C-3 zoning district by special permit only after review and
recommendation of the Waterloo Redevelopment Authority as long as it
does not increase the number of billboards (5) and faces (9) existing
within said district. In the event this code should conflict with the
"H -C" Highway Overlay District the more restrictive code shall apply.
3. Murals -
Signs painted directly onto a building are prohibited. Murals for the
purpose of this code are allowed after review and approval of the
Waterloo Redevelopment Authority, although they are not considered to be
signs, but rather are intended to serve an artistic function rather than
an advertising function.
4. Portable Signs - Prohibited with no exceptions.
F ; 9FAGE276
Ordinance No. 3987
Page 2
5. Projecting signs -
a.) Projecting signs may not project over public property beyond five
(5) feet or more than 1/2 the distance to the curb, whichever is less,
and they may not project into a public alley or public parking lot. A
sign may not project over the roadway. Projecting signs must be a
minimum of eight (8) feet above the ground and must be no larger in size
than 1 square feet for each linear foot of the side of the building to
which the sign is attached not to exceed 40 square feet per face. (see
attached Exhibit 'B')
b.) Internally lighted sign cabinets with translucent faces may be
allowed by special permit only after review and recommendation of the
Waterloo Redevelopment Authority. Projecting signs constructed with
noncombustible brackets and support material shall be allowed to utilize
wood for the sign faces as long as there is a physical separation
between said sign material and the structure or building upon which it
is attached.
c.) Corner projecting signs are those that are visible from two (2) or
more intersecting Streets and shall be allowed as long as they do not
exceed 40 square feet per face up to a maximum of 80 square feet in
size. The use of corner projecting signs shall preclude the use of arty
other signs. (see attached Exhibit 'C')
d.) Canopy/awnings - shall be considered to be part of the structure and
are allowed to be internally illuminated. Lettering, logos or other
visible advertising shall be considered signage and the rectangular area
surrounding it shall be calculated and included in the percentage of
allowable square footage for all signage for the building.
6. Pole Signs -
One pole sign shall be allowed per property as long as the following
conditions can be met:
1. Pole and sign to be located entirely on private property.
2. Maximum height of sign shall be eighteen (18) feet as measured
from grade to top of sign.
3. Maximum total square feet of signage shall be eighty (80) with
no side being greater than forty (40) square feet.
4. Additional pole sign(s) may be allowed to be located at least
160 feet from any other pole sign on the same property under common
ownership in the same block.
5. The use of backlit plastic faces with opaque background areas
and translucent lettering is permitted.
6. Aluminum faces with routed individual letters backed up with
plexiglass are permitted. additional decorative elements (i.e.
corner scrolls, accent lines etc.) are allowed and may be lighted.
The total area of all non -lighted and lighted copy and logos may
not exceed 60% of face area.
7. Roof Signs -
roof signs shall be allowed on multi -story (five or more stories)
buildings as long as they identify only the building. No roof sign
shall project more than 16 feet above the roof line. Further regulations
contained herein are applicable.
8. Wall/Window Signs -
External illumination must be provided by a continuous light source that
is installed to prevent direct light from shining onto the street or
adjacent properties. Flashing or moving lights are not permitted . The
CV2K 309
Ordinance No. 3987
Page 3
light source may be incandescent or fluorescent but should emit white
light. Spot, track, overhang or wall lamps are all acceptable light
sources. Avoid high intensity light sources as they often produce
excessive glare. Internally lighted sign cabinets with translucent
faces may be allowed by special permit only after review and
recommendation of the Waterloo Redevelopment Authority. Individually
formed letters of aluminum or non transparent material with translucent
faces affixed to a building shall be allowed.
(The code does recognize that well designed neon signs can be attractive
and compatible with certain store fronts). Wall signs shall not exceed
1.5 square feet in area for each 1 foot of building frontage. The
length of all wall signs shall not exceed 2/3 of the building wall
length. Further regulations contained herein are applicable. (see
attached Exhibit 'A')
9. Abandoned signs -
When a business ceases operation the on premise signage shall be removed
by the owner according to the following schedule:
Sign and/or sign cabinet -- within 30 days
Supporting structure -- within 180 days
When off premise advertising is bare or in disrepair for a period
of 90 days it shall be removed. If it is bare or in disrepair for
a period of 180 days the structure shall be removed.
10. Maintenance -
All signs together with all of their supports, braces, guys, and
anchors, shall be kept in repair and in proper state of preservation and
working order. The display surfaces of all signs shall be kept painted
or posted at all times.
The Building Official may order the removal of any sign that is not
maintained in accordance with this Section after sixty (60) days from
receipt of notice by owner of said sign.
11. Non -Conforming Signs -
If a sign is enlarged or relocated, it must comply with the code. If it
is repaired or changed in any other way and the costs to do this exceed
35% of replacing the sign, it must be replaced and all code requirements
must be followed. Historic signs or signs with historical significance
in Downtown as determined by the Waterloo Redevelopment Authority may be
allowed to continue after review and recommendation of the Waterloo
Redevelopment Authority to the Board of Adjustment.
INTRODUCED:
PASSED 1ST CONSIDERATION:
PASSED 2ND CONSIDERATION:
PASSED 3RD CONSIDERATION:
November 8, 1993
November 8, 1993
November 15, 1993
November 22, 1993
PASSED AND ADOPTED by the City Council of the City of Waterloo, Iowa, on
the 22nd day of November, 1993, and approved by the Mayor on the 24th day of
November, 1993.
ATTEST:
(;)-Cg222
Tom C
Albert C. Manning,
„Zf
Deputy Clerk/Auditor
PACE 278
Ordinance No. 3987
Page 4
CERTIFICATE
I, Tom Campbell, Deputy Clerk/Auditor of the City of Waterloo, Iowa, do
hereby certify that the preceding is a true and complete copy of Ordinance
No. 3987, as passed and adopted by the Council of the City of Waterloo, Iowa,
on the 22nd day of November, 1993.
Witness my hand and seal of office this 24th day of November, 1993.
(3(5;99
Tom Ca
el
1, 'eputy Clerk/Auditor
COCK 309 PAGE 279
15' Maximum Building Height
EXHIBIT 'A'
Width
1.
.-
a)
=
D
Building Width
dif dif
WALL SIGNS
Wall signs shall not exceed 1.5 square feet in area for each 1 foot
of building frontage. The length of all wall signs shall not exceed
2/3 of the building wall length.
f.C: 309 PAGE 280
EXHIBIT 'B'
Width
1/2 Curb Distance or
5' Maximum
E
E
c
co
Curb Distance
Projecting Signs
/
)r
1
Width x Height must be less than or equal to building length x .10
and less than 40 square feet in area per face.
rroee. PAC.. 281
EXHIBIT 'C'
135°
Corner Projecting Signs
Width x Height must be less than or equal to
length of building x .10 and less than 40 square
feet per face with a maximum allowed of 80
square feet total.
Eb'ag 3
MISC
INDEX
MARGIN
PR00
COMPA J
Bi ACK HAVIK COUNTY, 10INA:Sii
Filed for record Dec 15 ig 93
at 4:15 P M, and recorded in
MISC Book 309
Page 276
Recorder
Deputy
fee 1_35-_Q0/
CITY OF WATERLOO
CLERK/AUDITOR
31
3!
Width
1/2 Curb Distance or
A
5' Maximum
,f-
Curb Distance
E
E
Projecting Signs
Width x Height must be less than or equal to building length x .10
and less than 40 square feet in area per face.
I
�� EXHIBIT 'C°
I
rn
ifTh
5' Max.
Corner Projecting Signs
Width x Height must be less than or equal to
length of building x .10 and less than 40 square
feet per face with a maximum allowed of 80
square feet total. .
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Notary Public
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