Explanation
BACKGROUND:
The purpose of the Olentangy River Road Special Graphics Control Area is to establish additional and specific standards for graphics along the Olentangy River Road corridor from Lane Avenue to West North Broadway. These standards are designed to meet the objective of creating a corridor with signs that are compatible, as to type, size, and location, and consistent in style and design.
This special graphics control area is a direct outgrowth of the Olentangy River Road Urban Design Plan that was adopted by City Council on November 24, 2003. A steering committee consisting of area businesses and property owners worked cooperatively with the Planning Division on the development of the Olentangy River Road Urban Design Plan. Additionally, a public open house was held on February 24, 2004 to present the idea of applying a special graphics control area to Olentangy River Road. All impacted property owners were invited to the meeting.
This special graphics control area is intended to work in conjunction with Olentangy River Road Regional Commercial Overlay. The application of the Regional Commercial Overlay to Olentangy River Road is proposed in a companion piece of legislation.
FISCAL IMPACT: No funding is required for this legislation.
Title
To supplement the Columbus City Codes, 1959, by the modification of Chapter 3380, Standards For Areas of Special Graphics Control, in order to create the Olentangy River Road Special Graphics Control Area for that portion of the Olentangy River Road corridor from Lane Avenue to West North Broadway (map attached).
Body
WHEREAS, Columbus City Council adopted the Olentangy River Road Urban Design Plan in November 2003. The study recommends the application of a special graphics control area for Olentangy River Road from Lane Avenue to West North Broadway; and
WHEREAS, the creation of a special graphics control area with additional and specific standards and requirements will serve to enhance the corridor's character and facilitate streetscape continuity; and
WHEREAS, theses standards will address type, design, placement, and size of graphics; and
WHEREAS, theses standards will work in conjunction with the standards contained in the Olentangy River Road Regional Commercial Overlay; and
WHEREAS, the provisions contained in the special graphics control area will apply to all properties identified on the attached map (Exhibit A); and
WHEREAS, the provisions contained in the special graphics control area will be reviewed and modified as appropriate and necessary in order to continue to meet the intended goals of the special graphics control area; and
WHEREAS, the standards have been reviewed by the community-at-large at a public meeting and have been recommended by the Columbus Development Commission and Columbus Graphics Commission for adoption by City Council; now, therefore,
BE IT ORDAINED BY THE COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF COLUMBUS:
Section 1. That the Columbus City Codes, 1959, are hereby amended by the enactment of a new sub-chapter entitled "Olentangy River Road Special Graphics Control Area," consisting of section 3380.103, to read as follows:
3380.103 Olentangy River Road Special Graphics Control Area
A. Purpose.
The Olentangy River Road Special Graphics Control Area is established to meet the objective of creating a corridor with signs that are compatible, as to type, size, and location, and consistent in style and design.
B. Boundary.
See Exhibit A.
C. Applicability.
The standards contained in the Olentangy River Road Special Graphics Control Area apply as follows:
1. The placement, construction, or reconstruction of a sign or building is subject to all provisions herein.
2. The expansion of a building's gross floor area by more than 50% is subject to all provisions herein.
3. If a change of tenancy occurs, all applicable provisions herein must be met. If a tenant of a multiple tenant building changes only those standards applicable to that tenant must be met.
4. Routine maintenance and in-kind replacement of materials by current tenant are exempt from the provisions herein.
D. Extent.
1. The standards contained in the Special Graphics Control Area are in -addition to the regulations of the underlying zoning districts and the general requirements contained in the Columbus Zoning Code. Where a specific Special Graphics Control Area standard is imposed, it is to be followed in lieu of a general provision of the Zoning Code; where the Special Graphics Control Area does not address a required standard and it is otherwise contained in the Zoning Code, the Zoning Code standard must be followed.
E. Variances.
1. The Graphics Commission may approve a variance to these standards. A graphics plan must be submitted with the request.
F. General provisions.
1. Sign information can only contain the name, address, logo of the establishment, and a secondary message, such as a business' primary function.
2. All signs are limited to four colors (black and white are considered colors). Registered corporate logos will not be limited in terms of color.
3. The following types of signs are not permitted: off-premise signs, billboards, signs with flashing lights or bare bulbs, co-op signs, rotating signs, monopole signs, automatic changeable copy signs, bench signs, projecting signs, and roof-mounted signs.
G. Drive-thru menu boards.
1. Drive-thru menu boards are permitted in addition to a use's primary sign but must not be visible from the public right-of-way or from adjacent residentially zoned property.
H. Monument signs.
1. The sign must be set back a minimum of six feet from the right-of-way.
2. The sign height must not exceed six feet unless the sign is set back at least 10 feet from the right-of-way, in which case the sign can be eight feet in height.
3. The overall sign area must not exceed 60 square feet; with the graphic area not to exceed 40 square feet. If a sign qualifies to be eight feet in height, the overall sign area must not exceed 80 square feet; with the graphic area not to exceed 50 square feet.
I. Architectural signs.
1. Commercially zoned lots greater than five acres may be permitted an architectural sign with the approval of the Graphics Commission. The following standards must be met:
A. Single-tenant buildings
1. The sign must be set back a minimum of 20 feet from the right-of-way.
2. The sign height must not exceed 20 feet.
3. The overall sign area must not exceed 160 square feet; with the graphic area not to exceed 80 square feet.
B. Multi-tenant buildings
1. The sign must be set back a minimum of 20 feet from the right-of-way.
2. The sign height must not exceed 30 feet.
3. The overall sign area must not exceed 320 square feet; with the graphic area not to exceed 160 square feet.
J. Cemetery Signs.
1. In lieu of a monument sign, a lot that is used specifically for a cemetery is permitted to incorporate a sign into an entrance gate or fence adjacent to Olentangy River Road.
K. Ground sign design.
1. The business address, or address range, must be clearly displayed on the sign. Minimum letter/number height is six inches.
2. The sign base must be landscaped with either low shrubs or perennial plantings.
3. All city of Columbus clear zone standards must be met, as determined by the Director of Public Service.
Section 4. That this ordinance shall take effect and be in force from and after the earliest period allowed by law.