HomeMy WebLinkAbout~Master - Regulating Subdivision Entrance Signs ORDINANCE NO. 3255
AN ORDINANCE TO AMEND THE MUNICIPAL CODE OF THE CITY OF
AMES, IOWA, BY ENACTING ADDITIONAL SUBSECTIONS 5.202 (17) ,
(18) AND (19) AND A NEW SUBSECTION 5.220(11) , FOR THE PURPOSE
OF REGULATING SUBDIVISION ENTRANCE SIGNS; REPEALING ALL
ORDINANCES IN CONFLICT HEREWITH; ESTABLISHING A PENALTY
AND SETTING AN EFFECTIVE DATE.
BE IT ORDAINED, by the City Council for the City of Ames, Iowa:
Section One. The Municipal Code of the City of Ames, Iowa is hereby amend-
ed by enacting new Subsections 5.202(17), (18) and (19) as follows:
"(17)Residential Subdivision Entrance Sign: A freestanding, on
premise, permanent, ground sign designating the name of a resi-
dential subdivision.
(18) Freestanding Sign: Any sign supported by structures or supports
that are placed on, or anchored in, the ground and that are inde-
pendent from any building or other structure.
(19) Sign Height: The vertical distance between finished grade of the
ground nearest the sign structure and the upper most point of the
sign structure for residential subdivision entrance signs."
Section Two. The Municipal Code of the City of Ames, Iowa is hereby
amended by enacting a new Subsection 5.220(11) as follows:
"(11)Residential Subdivision Entrance Signs. The regulations described
in this section apply to subdivision entrance signs in residential
subdivisions. The location, number, size, height, materials,
maintenance, and message regulations for subdivision identification
signs are as follows:
(a) Signs located on private property shall be no closer to the
travelled part of a street than the right-of-way line.
Signs shall not be allowed in the street visibility triangle, as
such is described by Section 29.28.
(b) It shall be unlawful to erect a subdivision entrance sign on
public property, and the Council shall grant no encroachment
permits for such signs.
(c) Subdivision entrance signs shall not be permitted off-premise.
(d) Two signs shall be permitted at each subdivision entrance.
Double-faced signs shall be counted as two signs.
(e) The size of the message area (subdivision name and address)
of the sign shall not exceed 20 square feet.
The size of the sign structure in comparison to the size of
the message area shall not exceed a ratio of 7 to 1, unless
approved as part of a Planned Unit Development.
(f) Signs shall not exceed six (6) feet in height.
(g) Materials used in the construction of subdivision entrance
signs shall be low maintenance materials and may include:
metal, wood, brick, stone, and concrete.
(h) Maintenance of signs, illumination devices, and landscaping
shall be the responsibility of the Property Owner's Associa-
tion for the subdivision. No signs are permitted if a proper-
ty owner's association does not exist for the subdivision.
Signs which, by reason of deterioration, may become unsafe
or unsightly, shall be repaired. or removed by the Property
Owner's Association, upon written notice of the City Zoning
Official.
Signs which, by reason of deterioration that become unsafe or
unsightly, may be removed by the City of Ames, upon writ-
ten notice of the City Zoning Official.
(i) The message on a subdivision entrance sign shall include only
the name and address of the subbdivision.
(j) Signs may be illuminated internally or by reflected light
subject to the following:
(i) The light source shall not: be directly visible and shall
be arranged to reflect away from adjoining premises;
(ii) The light source shall not be placed so to cause confu-
sion or hazard to traffic, or to conflict with traffic
control signs or lights;
(Hi) No illumination involving movement, by reason of the
lighting arrangement, the lighting source, or other
devices shall be permitted. This includes blinking,
flashing, rotating, and message changing; and
(iv) The Property Owner's Association shall be responsible for
the costs associated with providing electricity to the
light source.
(d) Landscaping shall be incorporated at the base of each subdivi-
sion entrance sign which enhances the site and the surround-
ing area. Plant materials shall not obstruct the visibility
of moving vehicles or interfere with the maintenance of adja-
cent public property. Approval of a landscape plan for each
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residential subdivision entrance sign by the Director of
Planning and Housing is required."
Section Three. Violation of the provisions of this ordinance shall consti-
tute a municipal infraction, punishable as set out in Section 1.9, Ames Municipal
Code.
Section Four. All ordinances or parts of ordinances in conflict herewith
shall be repealed to the extent of such conflict, if any.
Section Five. This ordinance shall be in full force and effect from and
after its passage and publication as required by law.
Passed this llth day of January 1994.
Sandra L. Ryan, City Jerk Larry Curtis, Mayor
0268
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