The title of this article shall be the "Historic District Sign
Law of the City of Gloversville."
It is hereby declared to be City policy that the protection,
enhancement and perpetuation of historic buildings in the Gloversville
historic districts is necessary to promote the economic, cultural,
educational and general welfare of the public. Included therein is
the regulation of signage placed within the historic districts and
adjacent areas so that signage placed therein is harmonious with the
overall character of the districts.
This article applies to all new signs, or to any substantial
change in an existing sign, placed within the Downtown Historic District,
the Downtown Historic District Buffer Zone or the Kingsboro Historic
District of this City, for business or other purposes, as designated
on maps filed with the City Clerk's office.
A permit shall be required before construction, modification
or placement of any sign not advertising a special event. A permit
application must be approved by the Historic Preservation Review Board
prior to a permit being issued by the Building Inspector. Persons
desiring a permit shall submit an application to the Building Inspector
who shall immediately refer the application to the Historic Preservation
Review Board for review, as follows:
A.
Each application shall be accompanied by a drawing of the proposed
sign showing the proposed placement of the sign. If the sign is to
be placed upon a building, the drawing must include the facade of
the building, showing the placement of the sign thereon.
B.
The Board shall approve or disapprove all applications within 20
days of receipt by the Building Inspector. If disapproved, the reasons
therefor shall be stated in writing.
C.
Denial of permit.
(1)
If a permit is denied, the applicant may request an opportunity to
be heard before the Historic Preservation Review Board.
(2)
A request for a hearing must be made within 30 days of denial of
an application. The Historic District Review Board shall issue its
decision within 10 days of the hearing.
(3)
The hearing shall be held within 20 days of receipt by the Building
Inspector of a request for a hearing.
D.
Temporary signs advertising a special event of a duration of seven
days or less, and placed not more than 50 days prior to the event
advertised, are exempt from the permit process but must be removed
within a ten-day period following the event advertised. Signs advertising
that the real estate to which the sign is affixed is "for sale" shall
be deemed exempt also but shall be limited to no more than one per
parcel and no greater than six square feet.
The Board shall consider the following factors in reviewing
permit applications.
A.
Total signage shall not exceed 1 1/2 square feet per linear
foot of the facade to which the proposed sign(s) is affixed. If not
placed on a facade, total signage shall not exceed 32 square feet.
Signage area will include permanent window signs, facade signs and
hanging signs. Footage of hanging signs will be considered doubled
if visible from both sides. The total of all visible sides of a hanging
sign shall not exceed 32 square feet.
B.
In evaluating the placement of the sign, the Board shall consider
the original design and style, if such can be ascertained, of the
facade of the building to which the sign is to be affixed. Signs should
not obscure significant architectural features (for example: arches,
transom panels, sills, moldings and cornices) of the building or adjacent
buildings and should be proportionate to the volume of the facade.
C.
No sign shall be placed on any building or property in the designated
area for the purpose of advertising a business not located on the
premises.
D.
For a building with multiple business establishments with no entrance
providing direct access to the business, but accessible by a common
entrance, a single integrated sign is permissible if the design is
otherwise consistent with these guidelines, but generally should not
exceed 12 square feet. Small blade signs, maximum size nine inches
by 24 inches, are allowed when grouped near entrance.
E.
No signs, except window signs approved as set forth herein, shall
be attached to the upper facade surfaces of a building (being designated
as above the lower window ledges of the second floor). Business advertising
located on upper wall surfaces is not appropriate or acceptable signage
on historic buildings or in historic districts and shall not be permitted,
except banners advertising civic and community events, limited to
placement not more than 50 days prior to the event and removed within
10 days thereafter.
F.
Signage on awnings or canopies is permissible if within the maximum
area allowable under this article and approved as to color and design
as set forth herein, if otherwise compatible with the facade to which
it is to be attached. This type of signage is permitted on any floor.
G.
The material, color, shape, illumination and design of the sign and
its relationship to the site or building shall be considered to determine
its appropriateness to and compatibility with the character of the
historic district.
H.
The Board shall also consider the criteria contained in the publication
"Put Your Best Sign Forward," a copy of which shall be on file in
the City Clerk's office.
Any person violating any provision of this article may be punishable
by a fine of not less than $50 nor more than $250 or imprisonment
for a period not exceeding 15 days, or both.
Appeals from a determination of the Zoning Enforcement Officer or a denial of a permit after a hearing before the Historic Preservation Review Board shall be made in the same manner as set forth in Article XIII of Chapter 300, Zoning, using the same standards as utilized by the Historic Preservation Review Board and the Building Inspector, which shall have the jurisdiction and power as set forth therein to hear and review determinations under this article.
The historic districts and buffer zone shall be as illustrated
and marked on the Kingsboro Historic District, City of Gloversville
Historic District and Buffer Zone Maps filed in the City Clerk's office.
