Presenter
Presented by Ms. Burns
Title
An Ordinance amending the Pittsburgh Code of Ordinances, Title Nine, Zoning, Chapter 911.02 (Use Table) to include a definition and use standards for Convenience Information Signs and Electronic Messaging Signs.
Body
Be it resolved by the Council of the City of Pittsburgh as follows:
Section 1. Amend Chapter 919.03.I Convenience Information Signs as follows:
919.03.I Convenience Information Signs
Convenience information signs[,] (such as date, time, [and] weather, and information about the use within the premises associated with the Convenience Information Sign[,]) and official emblems of on-premises religious, educational, cultural, charitable, public, and nonprofit organizations may be permitted in any district provided that such signs:
1. Shall only [not] contain advertising matter, related directly to the exact on-premise use, attached to or integrated with or as part of such sign. Such advertising shall not include any information regarding donors, sponsors, or related entities;
2. May be attached to a building wall and no part of the sign shall project more than [4] 6 inches at a height below 80 inches from the grade beneath the sign. Signs attached to the building at a height above 80 inches from the bottom of the sign to the grade beneath the sign shall not project more than 3 feet from the building.
3. Shall not exceed [18] 2 square feet [in] of sign face area for each lineal foot of building wall width to a maximum of 80 square feet;
4. Wall mounted signs exceeding eighty (80) square feet may be approved by Administrator's Exception if the following conditions are met:
i. The sign does not exceed two (2) square feet of sign face area for each lineal foot of building wall width.
ii. The letters of the sign do not exceed three (3) feet in height
iii. The sign is architecturally compatible with the building and surrounding buildings.
iv. Zoning Administrator approval is in accordance with Site Plan Review procedures as outlined in the Zoning Ordinance.
5. The Zoning Administrator shall determine whether such sign is appropriate at the specific location taking into consideration the character of the uses in the vicinity, the possible effect of vehicular traffic, if any, and the relationship of the use to its immediate surrounding and to other portions of the City from which it may be viewed, including size, height, extent, and other characteristics.
Amend Chapter 910.01.D.2 Electronic Sign Messages as follows:
910.01.D.2 Electronic Sign Messages
Electronic Sign Messages shall be permitted as a [Conditional Use] Special Exception in the [GT-A and GT-B Subdistricts] GT District in accordance with the following standards:
(a) Electronic Sign Messages in GT-A
Subdistrict Electronic Sign Messages shall be permitted as a [Conditional Use] Special Exception in accordance with the review procedures of Sec. 922[.06], provided that:
(1) The top of the sign shall not extend more than [30] 40 feet above grade [and shall not exceed more than 500 square feet in sign face area];
(2) Shall not exceed [18] 2 square feet [in] of sign face area for each lineal foot of building wall width to a maximum of 80 square feet;
(3) Signs exceeding eighty (80) square feet may be approved by the Zoning Board of Adjustments if the following conditions are met:
i. The sign does not exceed two (2) square feet of sign face area for each lineal foot of building wall width.
ii. The letters of the sign do not exceed three (3) feet in height.
iii. The sign is architecturally compatible with the building and surrounding buildings.
iv. Site Plan Review procedures as outlined in the Zoning Ordinance.
(4) All spacing provisions relative to Advertising Signs (Chapter 919) are met; and
(5) The sign is appropriate at the specific location with respect to the impact upon adjacent property uses, particularly those of a public or semi-private nature, taking into consideration the relative size, height and location of the sign, the hours of illumination, type of lighting, color and intensity of lighting, nature and effect of animated components, and the nature and number of illuminating devices already in the immediate neighborhood.
(b) Electronic Sign Messages in GT-B
Subdistrict Electronic Sign Messages shall be permitted as a [Conditional Use] Special Exception in accordance to the provisions of Sec. 922[.06], provided that:
(1) [Signs are limited in size to 300 square feet];
(2) Signs do not extend more than [30] 40 feet above grade;
(3) Shall not exceed [18] 2 square feet [in] of sign face area for each lineal foot of building wall width to a maximum of 80 square feet;
(4) Signs exceeding eighty (80) square feet may be approved by the Zoning Board of Adjustments if the following conditions are met:
i. The sign does not exceed two (2) square feet of sign face area for each lineal foot of building wall width.
ii. The letters of the sign do not exceed three (3) feet in height.
iii. The sign is architecturally compatible with the building and surrounding buildings.
iv. Site Plan Review procedures as outlined in the Zoning Ordinance.
(5) Signs are not visible from districts that do not permit these signs; and
(6) Signs are not visible from roadways which have speed limits greater than 35 miles per hour.
(c) Electronic Sign Messages in GT-C
(1) The top of the sign shall not extend more than 40 feet above grade;
(2) Shall not exceed [18] 2 square feet [in] of sign face area for each lineal foot of building wall width to a maximum of 80 square feet;
(3) Signs exceeding eighty (80) square feet may be approved by the Zoning Board of Adjustments if the following conditions are met:
i. The sign does not exceed two (2) square feet of sign face area for each lineal foot of building wall width.
ii. The letters of the sign do not exceed three (3) feet in height.
iii. The sign is architecturally compatible with the building and surrounding buildings.
iv. Site Plan Review procedures as outlined in the Zoning Ordinance.