Sec. 3.11. Common and Way-Finding Signage Plans

3.11.1. General

A. A common signage planClosed A plan delineating unifying characteristics for signs associated with a development project or complex. is required for all signsClosed Any words, lettering, parts of letters, figures, numerals, phrases, sentences, emblems, devices, structures, designs, trade names, or trade marks by which anything is made known such as are used to designate an individual, a firm, an association, a corporation, a profession, a business, or a commodity or products, which are legible from any public street or adjacent property and used to attract attention. This definition includes the structure or the face on which a sign message is displayed. For the purposes of this Ordinance, this definition shall not include "trade dress" i.e.: architectural features identified with a product or business, as a sign. for one or more buildings or businesses within a unified developmentClosed Pursuant to NCGS 160D-102, any of the following: a. The construction, erection, alteration, enlargement, renovation, substantial repair, movement to another site, or demolition of any structure. b. The excavation, grading, filling, clearing, or alteration of land. c. The subdivision of land as defined in G.S. 160D-802. d. The initiation or substantial change in the use of land or the intensity of use of land. complex, as demonstrated through a development planClosed A type of plan that becomes part of the zoning of a property that establishes the level of development allowed absent further zoning action except as otherwise allowed or required under this Ordinance. or approved site planClosed An accurately scaled development plan that shows existing conditions on a site as well as depicting details of proposed development.(s), even if the property is subdivided and has various ownersClosed Any person having charge of any real property according to the records held by the Register of Deeds..

1. Approval of a common signage planClosed A plan delineating unifying characteristics for signs associated with a development project or complex. is required prior to the issuance of a signClosed Any words, lettering, parts of letters, figures, numerals, phrases, sentences, emblems, devices, structures, designs, trade names, or trade marks by which anything is made known such as are used to designate an individual, a firm, an association, a corporation, a profession, a business, or a commodity or products, which are legible from any public street or adjacent property and used to attract attention. This definition includes the structure or the face on which a sign message is displayed. For the purposes of this Ordinance, this definition shall not include "trade dress" i.e.: architectural features identified with a product or business, as a sign. permit.

2. Internally-oriented signsClosed Any words, lettering, parts of letters, figures, numerals, phrases, sentences, emblems, devices, structures, designs, trade names, or trade marks by which anything is made known such as are used to designate an individual, a firm, an association, a corporation, a profession, a business, or a commodity or products, which are legible from any public street or adjacent property and used to attract attention. This definition includes the structure or the face on which a sign message is displayed. For the purposes of this Ordinance, this definition shall not include "trade dress" i.e.: architectural features identified with a product or business, as a sign. not visible from the public right-of-wayClosed A strip of land acquired by reservation, dedication, prescription or condemnation and intended to be occupied by a street, trail, rail corridor, or public utility. shall not be required to be included in a common signage planClosed A plan delineating unifying characteristics for signs associated with a development project or complex..

3. Applications for temporary signClosed Any words, lettering, parts of letters, figures, numerals, phrases, sentences, emblems, devices, structures, designs, trade names, or trade marks by which anything is made known such as are used to designate an individual, a firm, an association, a corporation, a profession, a business, or a commodity or products, which are legible from any public street or adjacent property and used to attract attention. This definition includes the structure or the face on which a sign message is displayed. For the purposes of this Ordinance, this definition shall not include "trade dress" i.e.: architectural features identified with a product or business, as a sign. permits shall not be required to submit an approved common signage planClosed A plan delineating unifying characteristics for signs associated with a development project or complex..

4. Common signage plansClosed A plan delineating unifying characteristics for signs associated with a development project or complex. are not required in UC, UC-2, and Design districts and in a local Historic Districts Overlay. (County Only) Common signage plansClosed A plan delineating unifying characteristics for signs associated with a development project or complex. are not required in the SRP-C District.

B. A way-finding signage planClosed A plan delineating unifying characteristics for way-finding signs associated within a development project or complex. is required to allow signsClosed Any words, lettering, parts of letters, figures, numerals, phrases, sentences, emblems, devices, structures, designs, trade names, or trade marks by which anything is made known such as are used to designate an individual, a firm, an association, a corporation, a profession, a business, or a commodity or products, which are legible from any public street or adjacent property and used to attract attention. This definition includes the structure or the face on which a sign message is displayed. For the purposes of this Ordinance, this definition shall not include "trade dress" i.e.: architectural features identified with a product or business, as a sign. pursuant to paragraph 11.6.2A.9, Way-Finding Signs.

1. Approval of a way-finding signage planClosed A plan delineating unifying characteristics for way-finding signs associated within a development project or complex. is required prior to the issuance of a signClosed Any words, lettering, parts of letters, figures, numerals, phrases, sentences, emblems, devices, structures, designs, trade names, or trade marks by which anything is made known such as are used to designate an individual, a firm, an association, a corporation, a profession, a business, or a commodity or products, which are legible from any public street or adjacent property and used to attract attention. This definition includes the structure or the face on which a sign message is displayed. For the purposes of this Ordinance, this definition shall not include "trade dress" i.e.: architectural features identified with a product or business, as a sign. permit.

2. A way-finding signage planClosed A plan delineating unifying characteristics for way-finding signs associated within a development project or complex. can be approved separately, or as part of, a common signage planClosed A plan delineating unifying characteristics for signs associated with a development project or complex..

3. Internally-oriented signsClosed Any words, lettering, parts of letters, figures, numerals, phrases, sentences, emblems, devices, structures, designs, trade names, or trade marks by which anything is made known such as are used to designate an individual, a firm, an association, a corporation, a profession, a business, or a commodity or products, which are legible from any public street or adjacent property and used to attract attention. This definition includes the structure or the face on which a sign message is displayed. For the purposes of this Ordinance, this definition shall not include "trade dress" i.e.: architectural features identified with a product or business, as a sign. not visible from the public right-of-wayClosed A strip of land acquired by reservation, dedication, prescription or condemnation and intended to be occupied by a street, trail, rail corridor, or public utility. shall not be required to be included in a way-finding signage planClosed A plan delineating unifying characteristics for way-finding signs associated within a development project or complex..

4. (County Only) Way-finding signage plansClosed A plan delineating unifying characteristics for way-finding signs associated within a development project or complex. are not required in the SRP-C District.

3.11.2. Application Requirements

A. The elements of common and way-finding signage plansClosed A plan delineating unifying characteristics for way-finding signs associated within a development project or complex. shall be in accordance with Sec. 11.8, Elements of Common and Way-Finding Signage Plans.

B. Common and way-finding signage planClosed A plan delineating unifying characteristics for way-finding signs associated within a development project or complex. applications shall be submitted in accordance with paragraph 3.2.4, Application Requirements.

C. Additional requirements are listed in Sec. 11.7, Landmark Signs.

3.11.3. Action by the Planning Director

A. The Planning Director, or designee, is the approving authority for common and way-finding signage plansClosed A plan delineating unifying characteristics for way-finding signs associated within a development project or complex..

B. The Planning Director, or designee, may allow modifications to the lettering style of a common signage planClosed A plan delineating unifying characteristics for signs associated with a development project or complex. to accommodate state and federally registered trademarks (logos) if the Planning Director, or designee, determines that the intent of the common signage planClosed A plan delineating unifying characteristics for signs associated with a development project or complex. requirements shall be maintained. In allowing the modifications, the Planning Director, or designee, may limit the logo size.

C. Minor alterations in signClosed Any words, lettering, parts of letters, figures, numerals, phrases, sentences, emblems, devices, structures, designs, trade names, or trade marks by which anything is made known such as are used to designate an individual, a firm, an association, a corporation, a profession, a business, or a commodity or products, which are legible from any public street or adjacent property and used to attract attention. This definition includes the structure or the face on which a sign message is displayed. For the purposes of this Ordinance, this definition shall not include "trade dress" i.e.: architectural features identified with a product or business, as a sign. locations resulting from unexpected conditions on the site may be approved by the Planning Director, or designee.

3.11.4. Revisions and Amendments

A. Revisions or amendments to a common signage planClosed A plan delineating unifying characteristics for signs associated with a development project or complex. shall require documentation of notification to all ownersClosed Any person having charge of any real property according to the records held by the Register of Deeds. and tenants on the property prior to approval. The notification shall indicate the proposed changes and shall be mailed between 10 to 25 days prior to application submittal.

B. SignsClosed Any words, lettering, parts of letters, figures, numerals, phrases, sentences, emblems, devices, structures, designs, trade names, or trade marks by which anything is made known such as are used to designate an individual, a firm, an association, a corporation, a profession, a business, or a commodity or products, which are legible from any public street or adjacent property and used to attract attention. This definition includes the structure or the face on which a sign message is displayed. For the purposes of this Ordinance, this definition shall not include "trade dress" i.e.: architectural features identified with a product or business, as a sign. erected after September 1, 1989, and subsequently made nonconforming because of an amendment to a common signage planClosed A plan delineating unifying characteristics for signs associated with a development project or complex. shall be brought into compliance with the amended plan within six months of approval of the amended plan.

3.11.5. Appeal

Final action on a common or way-finding signage planClosed A plan delineating unifying characteristics for way-finding signs associated within a development project or complex. can be appealedClosed Request for review of a final order, interpretation or decision by any administrative official authorized to make such decision. in accordance with Sec. 3.15, Appeal of Administrative Decision.