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Ordinance amending the Pittsburgh Code, Title Nine, Zoning Code, Article V, by amending various sections, all relative to Sign Regulations.
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Be it resolved by the Council of the City of Pittsburgh as follows:
Section 1. The Pittsburgh Code, Title Nine, Zoning Code, Article VI, Chapter 919.03, Signs, is hereby amended as follows:
919.03.Q Mid-Level Public Destination Facility Electronic Signs
1. Applicability
This section shall apply to electronic signs associated with all uses that meet the definition of Mid-Level Public Destination Facility, including but not limited to marquee signs.
2. Review Process
(a) Electronic Signs
All Mid-Level Public Destination Facility electronic signs shall be reviewed by the Zoning Board of Adjustment as Special Exceptions according to the Special Exception review standards and procedures of Sec. 922.07 and the standards set forth below.
(b) Large Video Displays
All Mid-Level Public Destination Facility video displays shall be reviewed by the Planning Commission and City Council as Conditional Uses according to the Conditional Use Standards and Procedures of Sec. 922.06 and the standards set forth below.
3. Conflicts
The provisions of this section shall take precedence over any conflicting provisions in Article VI, Sec. 919.
4. Electronic Signs Allowed
Subject to the provisions of this section, Mid-Level Public Destination Facilities may utilize electronic signs, including video displays, to display:
(a) The name of the facility, or portion thereof, including any sponsor or memorialized names assigned thereto and their logo or identifying mark. However, products or services of sponsors shall not be displayed;
(b) The name of the principal activity and events on the premises; and
(c) Events or activities at related facilities (both on- and off-premise) under the control or ownership of the primary occupant of the facility.
5. Location
(a) Mid-Level Public Destination Facility electronic signs shall not be located within 100 feet of or be primarily directed towards rivers, parks, or City Designated Historic Districts except the Penn-Liberty Historic District, within the GT zoning district;
(b) Mid-Level Public Destination Facility signs shall be attached to the facility or an associated structure such as a parking garage or located on-site within 30 feet of such facility; and
(c) No electronic sign or video display 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 a driver's view of approaching, merging, or intersecting traffic.
6. Style
Mid-Level Public Destination Facility signs may use Broadway-style lighting, motion, and marquee content.
7. Brightness
Luminance of electronic signs shall be no greater than fifteen hundred (1,500) nits.
8. Size
The maximum size of an electronic sign or video display face shall be five hundred (500) square feet.
9. Controls/Testing/Annual Certification
(a) All electronic signs shall be equipped with an automatic dimmer control or other mechanism that automatically controls the sign's brightness as provided above.
(b) 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 brightness and other requirements herein.
(c) 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 brightness and other requirements herein.