§ 10.8. Lake Corridor Sign Overlay (LCSO) District.
A.
Purpose and Delineation.
1.
The purpose of establishing this Lake Corridor Sign Overlay (LCSO) is to protect the aesthetic and visual character of lands along major roads leading to Lake Oconee and along the Lake Oconee shoreline. In particular, the purpose of the LCSO District is to:
a.
Encourage the construction of commercial signs of high-quality materials that are aesthetically pleasing and are compatible with their natural surroundings and with the buildings in the district;
b.
Avoid the creation of a distracting atmosphere that can result when businesses compete for attention through the use of commercial advertising signs; and
c.
Protect, preserve, and enhance the unique aesthetic character, beauty, and charm of the Lake Oconee area of the County, and thereby encourage the continued economic development and tourism within the County.
2.
The LCSO District shall include:
i.
The rights-of-way and all parcels lying in whole or in part within 300 feet of each side of the rights-of-way of the following road sections:
i.
Lake Oconee Parkway from Richland Connector south to the County line at Putnam County,
ii.
Carey Station Road from Askew Road south to the intersection with Lake Oconee Parkway; and
ii.
All parcels lying in whole or in part within 200 feet landward of the Lake Oconee shoreline.
B.
General Applicability.
1.
All development proposed within the LCSO District shall be subject to the procedures, standards and guidelines specified in this Section 10.8, in addition to those standards pertaining to the particular base district in which the development occurs. Unless otherwise indicated herein, conflicts between this Section 10.8 and any other provision of Article X shall be resolved in favor of the provisions of this Section 10.8.
2.
There shall be no erection or alteration of the existing signage, except maintenance, within the LCSO District, except in accordance with the requirements of this section and all other relevant provisions of this Ordinance.
3.
All proposed new signs and changes to existing signs (including sign structures) located in the LCSO District that will be visible from the right-of-way or shoreline shall be reviewed by the Building Official and receive approval before proceeding with installation or alteration of the sign or sign structure. If a proposed new sign or changes to existing sign or sign structure are determined by the Building Official to be not visible from the right-of-way or shoreline upon completion, the project shall comply with the standards defined elsewhere in this ordinance.
4.
All signs shall comply with applicable building code requirements.
C.
General Permanent Sign Standards in LCSO District.
1.
Sign sizes and the maximum number of signs stated shall be as set forth in Section 10.6 and 10.7 unless specifically stated otherwise in this Section 10.8.
2.
Materials, colors, and shapes of proposed signs shall be complementary to the buildings, structures and signs on the same property.
3.
Signs must provide strong visual interest and include three dimensional design. Only high quality, durable materials such as wood, sign foam, and masonry shall be used.
4.
Colors.
a.
Bright colors and reflective surfaces should be avoided or very limited in size and used as accents rather than predominant design elements. Sign colors shall be non-reflective and shall not contain fluorescent colors.
b.
Signs shall not have light-reflecting backgrounds but may use light-reflecting lettering or halo lighting.
5.
The visual impact of freestanding signs shall be softened with landscaping appropriate to the site as determined by the Building Official.
6.
Signs shall be maintained in good condition at all times and shall be kept free of cracked or peeling paint, missing or damaged sign panels or supports, and weeds, grass or vegetation that obscures the view of the sign message.
D.
Special Permanent Sign Standards in LCSO District.
1.
Swinging Signs.
a.
Swinging signs shall be hung so that, once hung, the bottom edge of the sign is a minimum of eight feet (8') above grade immediately below the sign. All exposed edges of the sign must be finished.
b.
Swinging signs shall comply with Section 10.8.D.
c.
Each business in a commercial district shall be permitted one (1) swinging sign per facade with a maximum of two swinging signs.
d.
Maximum size of a swinging sign shall be six (6) square feet and the dimensions shall not exceed 36-inches wide and 24-inches high. The size shall have a clear height of eight (8) feet.
2.
Sidewalk Sandwich Signs.
a.
One (1) free-standing, framed sidewalk sandwich sign per business may be displayed during hours of operation.
b.
Maximum size of the sidewalk sandwich sign shall be six (6) square feet and the dimensions shall not exceed 24-inches wide and 36-inches high.
c.
Sidewalk sandwich signs shall be placed within ten feet of the building entrance of the business displaying the sign.
d.
Sidewalk sandwich signs shall be placed on or adjacent to a sidewalk and shall not interfere with pedestrian travel or encroach upon the required accessible path for the entrance to the building.
e.
Sidewalk sandwich signs shall be limited to a maximum of six square feet in total area.
f.
Sidewalk sandwich sign frame colors are limited to earth tones.
Sidewalk sandwich sign faces shall be limited to black or dark green chalkboard material with a matte finish. Plastic or dry erase boards shall not be allowed
3.
Planned Unit Development (PUD) Directional Signs.
a.
PUDs may erect freestanding directional signs for the purpose of directing vehicle traffic and emergency vehicles to destinations within the development.
b.
Location.
i.
PUD Directional signs may be placed on any premises where the placement of commercial signs are allowed.
ii.
No portion of any PUD Directional sign shall be located within 300 feet of any other PUD Directional sign on the same side of the street or highway, or any residence (single-family or multi-family).
iii.
PUD Directional signs shall be located within one mile of the intersection where vehicles must turn to reach the PUD. No more than two signs shall be placed in any one direction from such intersection with no more than three signs for any one development.
c.
PUD Directional signs shall meet the standards in Section 10.6.D.
d.
The amount of information on signs shall be no more than is necessary to provide reasonable identification of the destination(s) and direction thereto.
E.
Temporary Sign Standards in LCSO District.
1.
Free-standing temporary signs larger than four (4) square feet shall meet the requirements of Section 10.8.C.
2.
Temporary Special Event Signs for other than non-profit organizations.
a.
The organizer of a special event shall obtain a Temporary Special Event Sign Permit prior to displaying temporary signs at a special event. The application shall state the location and dates of the event, the expected number of attendees, and the types and number of proposed temporary signs. The following temporary special event signs may be used as specified:
i.
Temporary special event signs may be erected for a period beginning fourteen (14) days prior to a special event. These temporary signs must be removed within twenty-four (24) hours of the termination of the event.
ii.
Special Event Traffic Sign. Signs directing traffic to the site of an event may be used for special events at which more than 1,000 attendees are expected. Signs shall meet GDOT standards.
a.
Such signs may be displayed one day prior to the special event, during the duration of the special event, and one day after the special event.
b.
No advertising or logos will be allowed on the sign or the sign structure.
c.
All signs not frangible and crashworthy must be located outside the clear zone as defined by the Federal Highway Administration. In no circumstance will the sign be placed in an area where new roadside safety hardware would be required.
d.
All signs/structures located in the clear zone must be frangible and crashworthy.
iii.
Race Route Signs. Signs intended to direct pedestrians, runners, and bicyclists on race routes are subject to the following standards:
a.
Such signs shall be no larger than two square feet each.
b.
Such signs may be displayed one day prior to the special event, during the duration of the special event, and one day after the special event.
c.
No advertising or logos will be allowed on the sign or the sign structure.
d.
All signs not frangible and crashworthy must be located outside the clear zone as defined by the Federal Highway Administration. In no circumstance will the sign be placed in an area where new roadside safety hardware would be required.
e.
All signs/structures located in the clear zone must be frangible and crashworthy.
iv.
Post Mounted Banners.
a.
Post mounted banners may be displayed no sooner than one day prior to the special event, during the duration of the special event, and one day after the special event.
b.
Post mounted banners may only be used for special events which are multi-day and at which more than 2,000 attendees are expected during the course of the special event.
c.
The banners shall be no larger than 60" in width and 48" in height.
v.
Special Event Entrance Signs. Signs located at the entrances of special events are subject to the following standards:
a.
No more than two signs shall be displayed per event, with no more than four sign faces. Any single sign face shall not exceed 16 square feet.
b.
Signs shall be constructed of ½-inch MDO, or a material of equal durability, mounted on four-by-four wood posts.
c.
Signs shall be displayed no sooner than one day prior to the event, during the duration of the event, and one day after the event.
d.
Signs shall not be illuminated by artificial light.
vi.
Internal Special Event Signs. Signs displayed on property on which a special event is held are subject to the following standards:
a.
Signs shall be displayed no sooner than one day prior to the special event, during the duration of the special event, and one day after the special event.
b.
Banners and pennants are permitted within the area where the special event takes place.
c.
No more than four (4) such signs shall be allowed.
F.
Inflatable Signs.
1.
Inflatable signs will only be permitted during the course of a special event which is multi-day and at which more than 1,000 attendees are expected during the course of the special event.
2.
Inflatable signs shall be displayed no sooner than one day prior to the special event, during the duration of the special event, and one day after the special event.
3.
Inflatable signs shall not be mounted on, or anchored to, any roof surface.
4.
Inflatable signs shall be securely anchored to the ground or to a suitable structure.
5.
An inflatable sign shall not be more than twelve (12) feet in height, as measured from the point where the sign rests on a surface or from the point of tie-down if it does not rest on a surface.
6.
An inflatable sign shall not be animated or create movement distracting to vehicular traffic.
7.
Any electrical motor, pump or similar device used to inflate an inflatable sign shall be installed in accordance with all applicable electrical codes.
8.
Inflatable signs shall be setback a minimum distance of one and one-half (1-1/2) times its height from all property lines or public rights-of-way.
9.
Inflatable signs shall not interfere with traffic or pedestrian circulation or visibility.
10.
Inflatable signs shall not interfere with or obstruct fire lanes or utility lines.
11.
Inflatable signs shall not result in a reduction of the number of parking spaces required for the site on which the inflatable sign is located.
12.
All inflatable signs shall be equipped with a quick deflation system so that the inflatable sign will deflate if it breaks loose from its anchor.
13.
All inflatable signs shall be taken down if wind speeds exceed thirty (30) knots (35 mph). The installer of the inflatable sign shall be responsible for monitoring weather conditions.
14.
Inflatable signs shall not have any flashing, colored or blinking lights.
15.
An inflatable sign installer shall carry at least one million dollars in liability insurance coverage and shall provide proof of this to the Building Official prior to the issuance of the temporary sign permit.