The regulations, controls and standards for signs and outdoor
advertising set forth in this article are made in accordance with
a considered plan and program for safeguarding the public safety,
preserving and protecting property values, enhancing and protecting
the character of the community, and advancing the general welfare
of the Village of Churchville. This article is intended to:
A. Aid in traffic safety by preventing visual distractions and the obstruction
of directional signs and traffic control devices, and the view of
vehicular and pedestrian traffic;
B. Preserve and protect property values by controlling visual pollution
and other public affronts to aesthetic sensibilities presented by
unregulated outdoor signage;
C. Maintain and preserve the character of the Village of Churchville,
by controlling the size, location and lighting of sign structures
which are intrusive, discordant and inconsistent with that character;
D. Lessen congestion of land and air space;
E. Establish standards for the erection and maintenance of signs which
are compatible with the nature and scale of business and commercial
activity and development within the Village of Churchville;
F. Encourage the proper identification of businesses and services, for
the information of the public;
G. Reduce hazards that may be caused by signs overhanging or projecting
over public rights-of-way;
H. Protect the rights of property owners and other citizens of the Village
of Churchville to engage in free speech activities and the communication
of commercial and noncommercial messages; and
I. Otherwise provide for the safety and general welfare of the community.
The following signs and sign treatments are prohibited within
the Village:
A. Any sign for which no sign permit was issued, for which a sign permit
was revoked, or any other sign not explicitly authorized herein.
B. Any sign that is not properly maintained; any sign that is considered
structurally unsound, hazardous, or otherwise unsafe.
C. Any sign directing attention to any business, product or service
not conducted at or available from the premises on which such sign
is located. However, this restriction shall not be interpreted in
any way so as to limit or regulate the content of any noncommercial
sign or message, so long as such sign otherwise complies with the
provisions of this article.
D. Any sign that is mounted on wheels or mounted on any structure on
wheels. This prohibition shall not apply to duly licensed trucks,
trailers, and other vehicles bearing the name, logo or other advertising
of the company owning or operating such vehicle or bearing any noncommercial
message and so long as any such vehicle is operated in compliance
with all applicable vehicle and traffic and parking regulations and
otherwise does not remain stationary within any right-of-way for any
period of time exceeding 24 hours.
E. Any sign that contains words or pictures of an obscene or pornographic
nature.
F. Any sign that advertises an activity, business, product, or services
no longer conducted or available on the premises on which the sign
is located.
G. Any digital sign or sign utilizing digital, LED, or video motion
technology.
H. Any animated sign or sign that flashes, blinks, rotates, or revolves,
or utilizes unshielded lighting devices, mirrors, or reflective material.
I. Any sign that includes, in whole or in part, a banner, pennant, pinwheel,
streamer or other moving, fluttering or revolving device, unless included
as part of a temporary sign.
J. Any sign extending or projecting above the uppermost roofline of
a building or structure, or, if a wall-mounted sign, beyond the extremities
of such wall, nor shall any sign be painted or otherwise displayed
upon any roof or roof-mounted structure, equipment or device.
K. Any sign that emits audible sounds, odor, or visible matter.
Subject to the regulations and requirements otherwise set forth
in this article, the following signs are permitted without a permit
in all districts:
A. Addresses. Signs not exceeding two square feet in area, for each
lot, principal building or occupancy, bearing property or post box
numbers and no commercial message.
B. A-frame signs. A-frame signs shall be allowed without a permit in
any district, subject to the following conditions:
(1)
One A-frame sign shall be permitted per use.
(2)
No sign shall exceed three feet in height and six square feet
in area.
(3)
No sign shall be illuminated.
(4)
The sign must be brought inside during nonbusiness hours.
(5)
A-frame signs in the Central Business District may be placed
in the public sidewalk and/or right-of-way, provided there is no impediment
to pedestrian traffic.
A-Frame Example
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C. Directional signs. Signs that provide direction to pedestrians, bicyclists,
or motorists shall not require a sign permit, provided the following
conditions are met. Such signs may include but are not limited to
signs providing direction to parking, rest rooms, walkways, entrances,
or exits. The following requirements shall apply to directional signs:
(1)
Signs shall be located entirely on the property to which they
pertain.
(2)
No single sign shall exceed three feet in height or six square
feet in area.
(3)
The cumulative area of all signs on any one property shall not
exceed an area of six square feet in a residential district or 16
square feet in a nonresidential district.
(4)
Illumination is prohibited in residential districts.
D. Gasoline pump signs. Signs attached to a gasoline pump shall not
require a permit, provided they do not exceed six square feet in area
and are not illuminated.
E. Governmental signs. Any official sign, public notice, or warning
sign supported by federal, state or local law, including but not limited
to signs erected and maintained pursuant to and in discharge of any
government functions (example: New York State inspection station or
authorized repair shop identification). There are no size requirements
or time limits for governmental signs.
F. Internal signs. Signs within a building or structure not legible
from the public right-of-way or adjacent lots, or any sign within
an enclosed outdoor space, such as an athletic field, where such sign
is intended only to be seen from within the enclosed space and is
so oriented.
H. Regulating signs. Signs regulating the use of property, such as "No
Hunting," "No Trespassing," "No Solicitors," "Open," "Hours of Operation,"
or identifying security or fire protection services to the property.
Such signs shall contain no commercial message and be in conformance
with the following:
(1)
Signs shall be located entirely on the property to which they
pertain.
(2)
No single sign shall exceed three feet in height or six square
feet in area.
(3)
The cumulative area of all signs on any one property shall not
exceed an area of six square feet in a residential district or 16
square feet in a nonresidential district.
(4)
Illumination is prohibited in residential districts.
I. Temporary signs. Signs intended for temporary display and use, provided
the following conditions are met:
(1)
No sign shall be illuminated.
(2)
No sign shall exceed a height of four feet.
(3)
No sign shall exceed six square feet in area for any face or
16 square feet in cumulative area for all faces in a residential district.
(4)
No sign shall exceed 16 square feet in area for any face or
32 square feet in cumulative area for all faces in a nonresidential
district.
(5)
The display of such sign is limited to no more than 30 days
in a ninety-day period.
Signs located within any district except residential districts
shall conform to the standards and guidelines set forth in this section.
The owners of premises within residential districts are encouraged,
though not required, to conform to such standards and guidelines.
A. Guidelines and objectives. The style of signs shall be restricted
to a traditional or colonial type, which is adapted from or reminiscent
of an American Colonial mode of design. The sign shape shall be constructed
to reflect details such as turnings, finials, radius and curves, ornate
wrought iron or metal work and turnings. A theme of Colonial reproduction,
such as was prevalent in early America circa 1700's, shall be maintained
throughout the Village of Churchville. Basic outlines, as examples,
include the following.
Examples of Desirable Sign Shapes
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(1)
Signs should be designed to be compatible with the surroundings
and appropriate to the architectural character of the buildings on
which they are placed. Sign panels and graphics should relate with
and not cover architectural features and should be in proportion to
them.
(2)
Signs should be appropriate to the types of activities they
represent.
(3)
The layout of signs should be orderly and graphics should be
of simple shape, such as rectangle, circle or oval, as outlined by
the examples above.
(4)
The number of colors used should be the minimum consistent with
the design.
(5)
Illumination should be appropriate to the character of the sign
and surroundings.
(6)
Groups of related signs should express uniformity and create
a sense of harmonious appearance.
(7)
Sign panels and graphics should be tasteful and conform to generally
accepted standards of the community.
B. Lettering. All signs should be simple, visible, legible and direct.
Mixed uppercase and lowercase letters are easily read, and serif letters
are eye catching. Use of traditional materials such as wood, glass,
gold leaf, raised individual metal or painted wood letters and painted
or vinyl letters is encouraged. Lettering styles and combinations
shall be appropriate to convey intent and maintain an historic feel.
Lettering should be limited to two styles per building, and the number
of signs used should be limited to encourage compatibility with the
building and discourage visual clutter.
C. Color. The appropriate use of color is a critical element of good
sign design, while over-standardization of color contributes to an
unimaginative and uninteresting landscape.
(1)
The appropriate use of logos, carefully integrated into the
sign design, adds to the visual interest of signage, and is encouraged.
(2)
The numbers of colors used on signs is not restricted; however,
colors for use on buildings and signs should be selected for their
compatibility with the natural features and existing development found
in and adjacent to the premises. Conversely, colors intended to attract
attention detract from efforts to improve the appearance of the streetscape,
and should be used sparingly, perhaps as accent.
D. Lights. Only shielded incandescent, light-emitting diode (LED), compact
fluorescent light (CFL), or similar external lights or concealed incandescent
lighting will be allowed.
E. Placement of signs.
(1)
Signs shall not obscure architectural details.
(2)
Space on the building facade specifically designed to contain
signage shall be the most appropriate location for signs.
(3)
The number of signs used should be limited to encourage compatibility
with the building and discourage visual clutter.
(4)
The proposed design, material, texture, color, lighting, landscaping,
dimension, line, mass, roofline and height of the proposed structure
or improvement shall harmonize with the surrounding buildings and
area.
F. Sign materials, construction and installation.
(1)
Inappropriate materials and finishes generally include interior-grade
wood, unfaced plywood, plastic substrates, and unfinished wood.
(2)
Sign brackets shall be constructed of painted wood or prefinished,
prepainted metal.
(3)
Guy wires, if needed, shall be as inconspicuous as possible.
(4)
Signs shall be mounted in such a way so as to be removable and
to minimize damage to historic materials. (For example, bolts should
extend through mortar joints and not through masonry units.)
Every sign, including any structural supports, shall be maintained
at all times in good repair and in a neat, safe and structurally sound
condition. Display surfaces shall be kept neatly painted at all times.
Replacement of defective or worn parts or structural elements, repainting
and cleaning shall be performed as required for proper maintenance
under this section.
Signs erected or maintained prior to the effective date of this article, and not complying with this article, are nonconforming uses and or structures and are subject to Article
XXI of this chapter.
In the event that any sign is or shall become unsafe, unsightly,
damaged, deteriorated or in danger of collapse, the CEO shall give
written notice to the owner of the lot where such sign is located,
specifying the particulars in which such sign is in violation of this
article or any other applicable law, code, rule or regulation, and
of the time period, not less than 30 days, within which such sign
shall be brought into compliance or removed. If the sign is not brought
into compliance or removed within such thirty-day period, the CEO
shall be authorized to charge the owner thereof with a violation of
this chapter or to cause the removal and demolition of the sign, or
both. In the event that the CEO causes the removal of the sign, the
cost of such removal shall be charged against the property on the
assessment rolls of the Village.