§ 64.670. Thomas/Dale district 7 special district sign plan.

(a)

Intent and purpose. The Thomas/Dale district 7 special sign district Plan, as provided in section 64.601, is intended to provide advertising sign controls in the Thomas/Dale district 7 neighborhood. In keeping with the Thomas/Dale district 7 community plan, this special sign district plan is intended to reduce visual clutter and enhance the neighborhood feel of commercial districts in the Thomas/Dale district 7 neighborhood. Neighborhood efforts are currently underway to redesign Dale Street to reduce the negative impacts of high traffic, noise and poor appearance and to improve and enhance University Avenue.

Adding signs to the existing visual landscape detracts from the pedestrian and neighborhood friendliness of the commercial environment. Residents and other consumers often complain that University and Dale feel more like highways than city streets. Advertising signs clearly play a large role in this perception. Adding to the existing density of signs will only exacerbate this problem. Furthermore, additional signs will work against current efforts to improve the appearance and economic vitality of University Avenue and Dale Street.

The purpose of advertising signs is to attract peoples' attention long enough to read the message of the sign. Drivers whose attention is on advertising signs rather than the road can cause collisions. Dale Street is a busy street with more than twenty-two thousand (22,000) cars per day passing through the neighborhood. Likewise, University Avenue is even busier, carrying more than twenty-five thousand (25,000) cars per day. Because of these large traffic volumes, advertising signs distract driver attention and are a traffic safety hazard.

(b)

Area description. The Thomas/Dale district 7 special sign district plan shall apply to the following designated area as follows: Beginning at the intersections of the centerlines of University Avenue and Lexington Parkway thence north along the centerline of Lexington Parkway to its intersection with the centerline of the railroad tracks north of Pierce Butler Route; then east along the centerline of the railroad tracks north of Pierce Butler Route to its intersection with the centerline of Interstate 35E; then south along the centerline of Interstate 35E to its intersection with the centerline of University Avenue; then west along the centerline of University Avenue to its intersection with the centerline of Lexington Parkway, but excepting the capital area bounded by Marion Street, Pennsylvania Avenue and Jackson Street;

(c)

Interpretation and definitions. The provisions of this sign plan are supplementary to the provisions of chapter 64, signs. All words and terms shall be defined as in sections 64.103—64.128. The provisions of this special sign plan that are more restrictive than provisions of chapter 64 shall prevail and supersede the provisions of chapter 64.

(d)

Advertising signs. No advertising signs shall be permitted within the Thomas/Dale district 7 special sign district except signs on transit shelters and courtesy benches licensed or franchised by the city. Existing advertising signs shall be allowed to stay, provided they meet all provisions of chapter 64, signs.

(e)

Business signs. The regulation of business signs in the Thomas/Dale district 7 special sign district shall be pursuant to chapter 64.

(f)

Administration and enforcement. The zoning administrator shall enforce the provisions of this plan as a supplement to chapter 64, signs. Whenever a permit request for an advertising sign in the Thomas/Dale district 7 special sign district is requested, such permit shall not be issued unless the plans for the advertising sign have been approved by the zoning administrator as in compliance with this supplement and other provisions of chapter 64, signs.

(Ord 12-77, § 1, 12-26-12)