§ 350-33
Signs in Historic District
All signs in the Historic District shall conform to the following regulations:
- A. In the Historic District, signs may be illuminated by a stationary white or off-white steady light only. These lights shall not direct light or shine off the premises and not spill onto any abutting property or public right-of-way. The light should be directed primarily onto the sign and maintained at a sufficiently low intensity and brightness to avoid glare. Internal illumination or back lighting of signs is prohibited in the Historic District.
- B. All signs within the Historic District are to be made of wood or wood composite, natural stone materials, or high-density polyurethane foam board manufactured specifically for the purpose of sign production, be architecturally integrated with their surroundings and the building, and be complementary to the overall design of the building.
[Amended 9-16-2010, effective 10-27-2010]
- C. All proposed signs in the Historic District shall require approval from the Glocester Historic District Commission in addition to a building permit. All requests shall be submitted for review as part of an overall sign proposal for the business and/or property.
- D. Nonconforming signs/amortization. Signs which were legally installed prior to the adoption of this section and do not conform to the requirements of this section, as adopted on the date of passage, are considered nonconforming and shall comply with the following requirements:
- (1) Amortization period for nonconforming signs. Signs may remain in nonconforming state until June 30, 2015. Thereafter, signs shall be brought into conformance with this section by obtaining a permit and approval by the Glocester Historic District Commission or be removed; provided, however, that the amortization period established by this subsection may be used only so long as the signs retains their legal nonconforming status.
[Amended 8-6-2009, effective 8-6-2009]
- (2) Nonconforming signs shall not be replaced if the sign is damaged due to a storm or other natural causes to the extent that its repairs will exceed more than 50% of the cost of replacement. If a lawful nonconforming sign is damaged, allowed to deteriorate to the point that repairs exceed 50% of its replacement cost, and/or its use is discontinued or abandoned for six months, the sign shall not be repaired, but must be removed and/or replaced in conformance with this section.
[Amended 8-6-2009, effective 8-6-2009]
- (3) Subject to the provisions contained above, nonconforming signs that exist after the passage of this section may be continued as long as they are in good repair and do not create a hazardous condition.
[Amended 8-6-2009, effective 8-6-2009]
- (4) Nonconforming signs that advertise any activity, business, product or service no longer produced or conducted on the premises where the sign is located shall be removed within six months of the inactivity/business vacating the property. Removal shall consist of total removal of sign faces, frames, supports, structures, poles and other associated items or parts.
- (1) Amortization period for nonconforming signs. Signs may remain in nonconforming state until June 30, 2015. Thereafter, signs shall be brought into conformance with this section by obtaining a permit and approval by the Glocester Historic District Commission or be removed; provided, however, that the amortization period established by this subsection may be used only so long as the signs retains their legal nonconforming status.