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HomeMy WebLinkAboutresolution.hpc.011-1977RECORD OF PROCEEDINGS 100 Leaves HISTORICAL PRESERVATION COM~ITTEE Report On Signs and the Regulations Governing Them The cluttered appearance of numerous signs on a building is primarily the result of indiscreet or unplanned placement. It is not unreasonable for businesses to display their individual signs on a building as long as the total square footage of signs (as specified by the code) is not exceeded. The code cannot be sufficiently flexible to regulate the placement of various signs on a building since proper sign placement varies from building to building. One public measure to control sign placement would be for the Historical Preservation Committee to require new buildings to identify their plan for signing as part of the HPC approval process. The HPC technique would not, however, address existing buildings with signage clutter. They could not review the design of signs since businesses, and therefore signs, are likely to change over a period of time. Super graphics on buildings can sometimes be considered a sign; however they should not be ruled out in the code. In fact they can be used to enhance the architecture and visual appearance of a building. The critical factor is primarily in the actual design of the graphic and its design sensitivity to its location and situation. Public review of graphics are vested with the City Council who may refer a proposed graphic to the HPC for comment. The present ten (10) foot limitation of super graphics is restrictive and prevents a graphic that could be used to enhance a building and the vicinity. RECORD OF PROCEEDINGS 100 Leaves Temporary signs are necessary and regulations governing their use are difficult to enforce. The major visual problems created by some temporary signs are their visual prominance created by either size or length of time they are displayed. (These two factors do not directly relate to visual design unless the signs are physiclaly un- attractive in and of themselves, and there is no public review of the design of signs.) The code presently restricts temporary signs to a fifteen day display period. It is concievable to restrict the size of temporary signs, but this regulation could prevent the positive use of a temporary sign to disguise the clutter of interior reno- vation or other similar situations. Doubling the size of cutout letter signs as permitte, l by the code does not necessarily create a sign that is too large visually. Again the major factor affecting the visual appearance is the design of an individual sign, and it is not the responsibility (or duty) for individual designs to be publically regulated. For instance, a maximum size cut out letter sign may appear appropriate in one color or location, but stand out obtrusively in another situation. Enforcement is cumbersome and inadequate.. To date the priorities of code enforcement have been oriented to building, fire and other code regulations relative to health and safety. Therefore, there are instances where signs do not meet the code from the stand point of exceeding the allowed square footage or possibly the proper placement of signs. A regulation that reduces the maximum size for signs in the Main Street Historic District is needed. The Main Street Historic District strives to preserve the former "residential visual character" of the street. Since the -2- RECORD OF PROCEEDINGS 100 Leaves nature of the street and the zoning is to permit limited commercial activity in historic structures, the future renovation and signing of establishments here should be more restrictive than what is permitted in the other commercial districts. A final problem situation exists where signs are in- stalled without obtaining a required sign permit and sub- mitting the $5.00 fee. Enforcement here is difficult since the cost of enforcement will always exceed the benefits to be derived from legal prosecution of the violation. -3- RECORD OF PROCEEDINGS 100 Leaves RESOLUTION RECOMMENDING AMENDMENTS TO THE SIGN CODE AND CHANGES IN THE ADMINISTRATION AND INTER- PRETATION OF THE SIGN CODE WHEREAS, the Historical Preservation Committee received a request from the Mayor of Aspen to review the present sign code for possible loopholes and oversights that would allow for inconsistent with the intent of the sign code, signs that are and WHEREAS, the Historical Preservation Committee has analyzed the sign code and analyze the existing signs of the community, NOW THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED, Preservation Committee has developed resulting conducted a visual survey to further in the commercial and office districts that the Historical the following recommendations from their report which accompanies this Resolution: 1. That the HPC should ammend their design review guidelines to require plans for new construction in Historic Districts to indicate how signs will be dis- played. 2. That the Building Department should conduct periodic review and enforcement of the sign regulations (example: one day per quarter). 3. That the sign code should be amended to eliminate the sign permit requirement and the $5.00 fee. 4. That the sign code should be amended to reduce the maximum permitted size of signs in the Main Street Historic District in order to preserve the remaining residential character of the street. 5. That the maximum size graphics placed on building walls be eliminated to permit graphics to be used to en- hance the overall appearance of a building and compliment the visual impression of the vicinity but not to be used as an "attention getting" device. DATED: November 8, 1977 Lar~ Groe~