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Ordinance amending the Pittsburgh Code of Ordinances, Title Nine: Zoning Code, Article VI: Development Standards, Chapter 919, Signs, Section 919.03: Nonadvertising Signs, to regulate the use of Non-advertising signs for Major Public Destination Facilities in the RIV-NS District.
(Needs to be sent to the Planning Commission for a report and recommendation)
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The Council of the City of Pittsburgh hereby enacts as follows:
Section 1. The Pittsburgh Code of Ordinances, Title Nine: Zoning Code, Article VI: Development Standards, Chapter 919: Signs, Section 919.03: Nonadvertising Signs, is hereby amended as follows:
919.03.Q Special Signage Design Districts
A Special Signage Design Zoning District ("SSDD") may be created in accordance with Section 922.05 if the proposed district is at least eight (8) acres in size and eighty (80) percent of the property owners (determined by eighty (80) percent of the land area) petition the City Planning Commission to create such special signage design district.
The SSDD regulations, developed via Section 922.05, are intended to provide a framework for alternative forms of development for areas that desire enhanced use of electronic and non-electronic non-advertising signs. Applicable regulations and procedures are intended to create efficient, functional and attractive urban areas that incorporate high levels of amenities and that meet public objectives for protection and preservation of the natural environment while defining the character of the SSDD in a way that is consistent with these objectives. The regulations are intended to permit a substantial amount of flexibility in the use of electronic and non-electronic non-advertising signage because of the large size of the site and because of its relative isolation from any neighborhood context.
The Department of City Planning will develop procedures, standards and regulations for all signage in any proposed SSDD District with the applicant prior to any formal action by the Planning Commission. Notice shall be made of such an application pursuant to 922.05.C.
Conflicts
The provisions of this section shall take precedence over any conflicting provisions in Article VI, Section 919.03 Chapter 919 relating to non-advertising signs.
1.Comprehensive Signage Design Plan
A complete application for a SSDD shall include a comprehensive signage design plan to address the location and dimensions of all non-advertising signage forms and typologies throughout the SSDD including, but not limited to, Business Signs and Identification Signs, Public Information Signs, gateway and district signage. The comprehensive signage design plan shall be subject to Design Review. Art Commission shall review and approve any signage recommendation within a Public Right-of-Way or on City-owned property.
2.Electronic Signs Allowed
Subject to the provisions of this section, SSDD may utilize electronic signs, including video displays, in accordance with an adopted Special Signage Design District Plan.
(a)Location
i)Electronic signs shall not be located within one hundred (100) feet of the rivers or be directed primarily towards the rivers.
ii)Video displays shall not be readily visible from roadways, or ramps associated with such roadways, with speed limits exceeding thirty-five (35) miles per hour.
iii)No electronic sign shall be erected or maintained in such a manner as to obscure or otherwise physically interfere with an official traffic sign, signal or device, or to obstruct or physically interfere with the driver's view of approaching, merging or intersecting traffic.
iviii)No electronic signs shall be located within an LNC, NDO, P, H, or any Residentially zoned districts.
(b)Controls/Testing/Annual Certification
i)All electronic signs shall be equipped with an automatic dimmer control or other mechanism that automatically controls the sign's brightness established by the Council for special sign district.
ii)Prior to approval of any permit to operate an electronic sign, the applicant shall certify that the sign has been tested and complies with the motion, dwell time, brightness, and other requirements herein.
iii) The owner and/or operator of an electronic advertising sign shall submit an annual report to the City certifying that the sign complies with the motion, dwell time, brightness, and other requirements herein.
919.03.Q.1 SSDD-1 North Shore Entertainment District
The provisions of this section apply to all land within the SSDD-1, which is generally bounded by Reedsdale St. and the Allegheny River and generally extends from the Rivers Casino to Sandusky Street as depicted in Figure 919.03.Q.1.
Figure 919.03.Q.1
The North Shore Entertainment District is intended to:
1. Encourage the orderly development, placement, and usage of two and three-dimensional branding, destination, identification, digital accessory, non-accessory, and public service displays on individual lots and public spaces;
2. Preserve the integrity of commercial areas; and
3. Abate or reduce any detrimental impacts to surrounding areas and uses.
919.03.Q.2 Special Definitions
The following special definitions shall apply throughout the North Shore Entertainment District regulations of this section.
Advertising Sign means a sign that primarily directs attention to a business, commodity, service, or entertainment, conducted, sold, or offered elsewhere than upon the premises where the sign is displayed.
In the North Shore Entertainment District, Advertising Signs shall only be permitted in the Pop District and Science Center subdistricts or on a Garage provided that 15% of the content of the sign is devoted to community-based messaging, events and activities occurring on premises, and artistic displays. Other than content, Advertising Signs are considered Public Destination Facility Signs in the North Shore Entertainment District.
Broadcast Content means live broadcast of sporting events and performances and related programs at the facility or at remote venues during the day of an event. Broadcasts may include commercials that typically occur during such broadcasts.
Changeable Content means static messaging showcasing internal facilities and events, the primary or secondary tenants of a Public Destination Facility or Open Space, or a Sponsor associated with a Public Destination Facility, a tenant thereof or Open Space, and cross-marketing of other facilities and events within the District.
Decorative Branding Sign is a District Branding Sign that may carry the “North Shore” brand and taglines.
District Branding Sign means signage designed to promote the identity of the North Shore area as an entertainment destination. District Branding Signs include Portal Branding Signs, Wayfinding Signs, and Decorative Branding Signs.
Large Video Display in the North Shore Entertainment District means an electronic sign that features real-time, full-motion, or pictorial imagery of television quality or better and may include Broadcast or Changeable Content.
Garage in the North Shore Entertainment District means a structure or any portion thereof designed for the parking of one (1) or more automobiles that is owned or operated by a local agency or authority.
Ground Based Public Destination Facility Signs means any and all permanent free standing Public Destination Facility Signs located within a subdistrict’s Open Space that is not attached to any building.
Portal Branding Sign is a District Branding Sign located at or in close proximity to the boundaries of the North Shore Entertainment District or other prominent location within the District readily visible outside of the District that shall carry the “North Shore” brand and may contain taglines and event listings. The primary purpose of a Portal Branding Sign is to identify the North Shore Entertainment District at the major entrance gateways to the District.
Public Destination Facility Signs means signage that identifies the name of a Public Destination Facility, the primary or secondary tenants of a Public Destination Facility or Open Space, or a Sponsor associated with a Public Destination Facility, a tenant thereof or Open Space.
Public Destination Facility Signs may include, but are not limited to, three dimensional objects such as drink bottles, sports balls, trains, or river boats.
Major Temporary Event means one-time events or events that do not occur on an annual basis (ex. the NFL Draft, the Winter Classic & All Star Game) or annual events with an attendance or patronage of one hundred thousand (100,000) people.
Minor Temporary Event means a specific event, including but not limited to sporting events, concerts, festivals and parades, which takes place not more than once per year.
Open Space means that portion of a lot or lots which are not occupied by buildings, parking areas, driveways, streets or loading areas.
Public Destination Facilities means a structure providing as its primary use one (1) of the following: community center, hospital, cultural services (limited and general), public assembly (general) recreation and entertainment facilities (general, indoor and outdoor) and gaming enterprises.
Sponsor means a person, entity, or organization that provides financial and other support for an event, product, service or activity associated with a Public Destination Facility.
Structure Based Public Destination Facility Signs means any and all permanent Public Destination Facility Signs attached to the Public Destination Facility and includes, but is not limited to, the following types of signs: Business, Identification, Electronic, Marquee, Canopy and Projecting Signs.
Temporary Event Sign means a sign that advertises a specific event and the Sponsor thereof, including but not limited to sporting events, festivals and parades, which takes place not more than once per year.
Temporary Event Sign Plan means a plan that provides for the locations, quantities and sizes of all Temporary Event Signs on the zoning lots and facilities located thereon under the control or ownership of the primary occupant of such lots and facilities.
Wayfinding Sign is a District Branding Sign that conveys directional, operational, business name, daily event or logo information to vehicles and pedestrians.
919.03.Q.3 Subdistricts
The North Shore Entertainment District shall be divided into five (5) “Subdistricts,” referred to as “Acrisure Stadium District,” “PNC Park District,” “Casino District,” “Science Center District,” and “Pop District,” inclusive. The Subdistricts shall be located in those areas as depicted in Figure 919.03.Q.3.A.
Figure 919.03.Q.3.A.
919.03.Q.4 Regulations Applicable Throughout the SSDD-1 District
The following regulations apply to all developments located within a North Shore Entertainment District subdistrict.
1. District Branding Signs
A. Portal Branding Signs
1. Location.
Portal Branding Signs may be located on free standing structures, wall surfaces, poles, or parapet structures along the perimeter of the North Shore Entertainment District or other prominent location within the District readily visible outside of the District facing toward adjacent districts and the Ohio and Allegheny Rivers or along bridges and other public thoroughfares located within the vicinity of the North Shore area.
2. Content
Portal Branding Signs may accommodate a North Shore logo, venue name(s) and optional tagline, represented in custom lettering or as a logotype(s). Sponsorship information may not be included within a Portal Branding Sign.
3. Size
Portal Branding Signs are one of the largest sign types in the North Shore Entertainment District. These signs are sized to be readable from major viewing corridors.
Portal Branding Signs shall not exceed six (6) feet in letter height and contain minimal backgrounds.
4. Visibility
(a) Except when located within one hundred feet of the riverfront, Portal Branding may have direct face, and/or edge and/or halo illumination caused by neon, incandescent, fluorescent, L.E.D. lamps or any other solid state electronic component.
(b) Motion is limited to lighting changes that may include color changes in the lettering, background or structure.
(c) Full animation or changeable text is not permitted.
(d) Portal Branding Signs may be illuminated 24 hours per day.
(e) Luminance shall be no greater than 2,500 nits by day and 250 nits by night for Portal Branding Signs located within 100 feet of the river.
(f) Luminance shall be no greater than four thousand five hundred (4,500) nits for Portal Branding Signs located more than 100 feet from the river.
5. Review & Approval Process
A location plan for District Branding Signs must be reviewed and approved by the Art Commission and the Planning Commission.
B. Wayfinding Signs
1. Location
Wayfinding Signs may be located as a Ground Sign, or on poles and wall surfaces located in or along main thoroughfares. These signs may also be located on secondary internal roadways, turning points and pedestrian pathways, including the river trail, within the North Shore area, to lead vehicles and pedestrians to their final destination.
2. Content
(a) Wayfinding Signs direct users to multiple destinations in the North Shore Entertainment District or other similar destinations within the vicinity of the area. These signs may also contain dynamic electronic components to convey parking, traffic and event information.
(b) All signs should be consistent in color, size, font, and placement and be part of the overall district identity.
3. Size
(a) The size of these signs is dependent on the number of messages listed, but shall not exceed 32 square feet in face area.
(b) The height of such signs shall be appropriate to human scale visibility.
4. Visibility
(a) Wayfinding Signs may have direct face, and/or edge and/or halo illumination caused by neon, incandescent, fluorescent, L.E.D. lamps or any other solid state electronic component.
(b) Except for any dynamic electronic components that convey public and event information, the mechanical elements of Wayfinding Signs may not move and all motion is limited to lighting changes that may include color changes in the lettering, background or structure. The dwell time between messages is no less than ten (10) seconds.
(c) Wayfinding Signs may be illuminated 24 hours per day.
(d) Luminance shall be no greater than 2,500 nits by day and 250 nits by night for Wayfinding Signs located within 100 feet of the river.
(e) Luminance shall be no greater than four thousand five hundred (4,500) nits for Wayfinding Signs located more than 100 feet from the river.
C. Decorative Branding Signs
1. Location.
Decorative Branding Signs may be located on poles and wall surfaces on or adjacent to circulation pathways in the North Shore for viewing by vehicles and pedestrians within the North Shore Entertainment District
2. Content
(a) Decorative Branding Signs may accommodate a North Shore logo, and optional tagline, represented in custom lettering or as a logotype(s).
(b) All signs should be consistent in color, size, font, and placement and be part of the overall district identity.
3. Size
Decorative Branding Signs will have type sized appropriately to viewing distances.
4. Visibility
Decorative Branding Signs may be remotely lit. No motion through lighting is allowed.
2. Temporary Event Signs
1. The locations of all Temporary Event Signs are to be provided for in a Temporary Event Sign plan.
2. The determination of whether an event is a Major Temporary Event or Minor Temporary Event shall be determined by the Special Permit issued by the Special Events Committee. A copy of the Special Permit must be submitted to the Department of City Planning when the application for the Temporary Event Signs for the event is filed.
(a) For Major Temporary Events, the signs may be in place up to two (2) months before the start of the event and until two (2) weeks after the close of the event;
(b) For Minor Temporary Events, the signs shall be posted for consecutive days, but not more than thirty (30) consecutive days; and
(c) Signs for the same event shall not be approved, pursuant to this section, more than once per calendar year.
2. An application for a Temporary Event Sign Plan must be submitted to the City Planning Department for review and approval. The Art Commission and Department of Mobility and Infrastructure must review and approve any locations within a Public Right-of-Way or on City-owned property.
3. Other Signs Not Located in a Subdistrict
Except for Garages, all other signs that are not located in a North Shore Entertainment District subdistrict shall be subject to the regulations set forth in Chapter 919 relating to non-advertising signs.
Garages may permit Advertising Signs subject to the regulations applicable to Public Destination Facility Signs set forth in Section 919.03.Q.5.
919.03.Q.5 Regulations Applicable Throughout all SSDD-1 District Subdistricts
1. Public Destination Facility Signs
A. Structure Based Public Destination Facility Signs
1. Location
(a) Structure Based Public Destination Facility Signs may be located on building facades, canopies, marquees, parapets, and roofs of a Public Destination Facility or other building within the same subdistrict of a Public Destination Facility.
(b) Structure Based Public Destination Facility Signs may extend beyond the roof peak or parapet wall.
2. Content
Structure Based Public Destination Facility Signs may include the Sponsor name, including visual identity of sponsor (i.e., the Sponsor’s corporate or trademarked logo), optional tagline, and name of amenity, feature, service and/or the facility name or portion thereof.
3. Size
(a) The aggregate area for all Structure Based Public Destination Facility Signs shall not exceed 5% of the total amount of all the Public Destination Facility Facades.
(b) The perimeter of the logo or typography shall be used to determine the square footage for all Structure Based Public Destination Facility Signs.
4. Visibility
(a) Structure Based Public Destination Facility Signs may be internally or externally illuminated 24 hours per day. They may have direct face, and/or edge and/or halo illumination caused by neon, incandescent, fluorescent, L.E.D. lamps or any other solid state electronic component.
(b) Structure Based Public Destination Facility Signs may include physical moving elements if they do not pose a public safety hazard and or directly face the riverfront.
(c) Motion may include actual movement of sponsor-related graphics (e.g. a slowly turning logo) or of a feature (e.g. the rocking of a pirate ship) or may use lighting effects to convey motion (e.g. the apparent pouring of Coca-Cola from a bottle created by chasing lights).
5. Review & Approval Process
(a) Structure Based Public Destination Facility Signs shall be subject to Design Review and approval by the City Planning Commission.
(b) The Applicant must provide square footage numbers for existing signage and façade/lot area numbers at the time of application.
B. Ground Based Public Destination Facility Signs
1. Location
Ground Based Public Destination Facility Signs may be located anywhere in Open Space provided that the location does not present an impediment to pedestrian traffic.
2. Content
Ground Based Public Destination Facility Signs may include the Sponsor name, including visual identity of sponsor (i.e., the Sponsor’s corporate or trademarked logo), optional tagline, and name of amenity, feature, service and/or the facility name or portion thereof.
3. Size
(a) The total square footage of Ground Based Public Destination Facility Signs located in Open Space shall be 2% of the total lot size of all the lots within a subdistrict.
(b) Ground Based Public Destination Facility Signs shall not be more than 40 feet in height.
4. Review & Approval Process
Ground Based Public Destination Facility Signs shall be subject to Design Review.
2. Large Video Displays
1. Location
(a) A Large Video Display shall be located on a Public Destination Facility facade or Open Space.
(b) Large Video Displays shall not directly face towards the riverfront.
2. Content
(a) Large Video Displays may contain Broadcast Content and Changeable Content.
3. Size
The maximum size of a Large Video Display shall be one thousand two hundred (1,200) square feet.
4. Visibility
(a) Luminance shall be no greater than 2,500 nits by day and 250 nits by night for Large Video Displays directed toward the river.
(b) Luminance shall be no greater than four thousand five hundred (4,500) nits for all other Large Video Displays.
5. Review & Approval Process
Large Video Displays shall be subject to Design Review and approval by the City Planning Commission.
919.03.Q.6 SSDD-1 (I), Acrisure Stadium Subdistrict
RESERVED
919.03.Q.7 SSDD-1 (II), PNC Park Subdistrict
RESERVED
919.03.Q.8 SSDD-1 (III), Casino Subdistrict
RESERVED
919.03.Q.9 SSDD-1 (IV), Science Center Subdistrict
Advertising Signs are permitted in the Science Center Subdistrict subject to the regulations applicable to Public Destination Facility Signs set forth in Section 919.03.Q.5.
919.03.Q.10 SSDD-1 (V), Pop District Subdistrict
Advertising Signs are permitted in the Pop District Subdistrict subject to the regulations applicable to Public Destination Facility Signs set forth in Section 919.03.Q.5.