ORDINANCE NO. BL2013-376

SUBSTITUTE ORDINANCE NO. BL2013-376

An ordinance to amend Sections 17.37 (Downtown Code) of the Metropolitan Zoning Code by adding regulations for signage (Proposal No. 2013Z-003TX-001).

WHEREAS, the Metropolitan Planning Commission hired a consulting group to conduct a study of the existing signage and signage regulations in Downtown Nashville and to produce a comprehensive sign code for implementation in the Downtown Code (DTC) district, the draft sign code was completed in 2011 and was circulated to Downtown property and business owners and other stakeholders for comment;

WHEREAS, Downtown community stakeholders, including the Chamber of Commerce, the Downtown Partnership, representatives of the sign industry, and representatives of the commercial real estate industry worked with Metro government, including Codes Department staff, Planning Commission staff, Historic Commission staff, representatives from the Mayor’s office, and representatives from the Metropolitan Development and Housing Agency to refine the draft sign code;

NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT ENACTED BY THE COUNCIL OF THE METROPOLITAN GOVERNMENT OF NASHVILLE AND DAVIDSON COUNTY:

Section 1. Section 17.37 (Downtown Code) is hereby amended by adding to the DTC on page 3 under the heading Table of Contents the following:
Section V: Sign Standards........................................ 101
Introductory Provisions..................................................................... 103
Intent
Applicability
Sign Permit Applications
Common Sign Plan
Modifications ..................................................................................... 104
Right-of-way Encroachments............................................................ 104
Nonconforming Signs....................................................................... 104
Repair and Maintenance..................................................................... 104
General Standards............................................................................... 105
Other Sign Types................................................................................ 105
Street Types......................................................................................... 106
Street Types Map................................................................................ 107
Determining Street Entitlements....................................................... 108
Allocation of Sign Area by Street Types ................................... 109-110
Building Signs
Wall Sign......................................................................................... 111
Awning Sign................................................................................... 112
Canopy Sign.................................................................................... 113
Projecting Sign................................................................................ 114
Shingle Sign .................................................................................... 115
Ground Signs
Monument Sign.............................................................................. 116
Skyline Signs........................................................................................ 117
Illumination........................................................................................ 118
Changeable Copy ............................................................................... 119

Section 2. Section 17.37 (Downtown Code) is hereby amended by deleting from the DTC on page 15 under the heading of Signage Compliance the following phrase:

“For those properties zoned DTC that were zoned CC on January 1, 2010, the sign standards of the DTC zoning district shall apply. For all other properties zoned DTC, the sign standards of the CF zoning district shall apply until June 30, 2012. On July 1, 2012, the sign standards of the DTC zoning district shall apply to all properties zoned DTC.”

and replacing it with the following new phrase:

“For those properties within Historic Zoning Overlays, the sign standards of the CF zoning district shall apply, along with historic zoning district design guidelines.
For those properties not within Historic Zoning Overlays, the sign standards of the DTC zoning district shall apply.”

Section 3. Section 17.37 (Downtown Code) is hereby amended by adding Exhibit A as pages 101-119 of the DTC.

Section 4. Section 17.32.140 (On-premise signs – DTC district) is hereby amended by removing all text in its entirety and replacing it with the following new phrase:

“See Section 17.37 (Downtown Code) for standards on signage within the DTC district.”

Section 5. Be it further enacted, that this ordinance take effect immediately after its passage and such change be published in a newspaper of general circulation, the welfare of The Metropolitan Government of Nashville and Davidson County requiring it.

LEGISLATIVE HISTORY
Introduced:	February 5, 2013
Passed First Reading:	February 5, 2013
Referred to:	Planning Commission Planning & Zoning Committee
Passed Second Reading:	March 5, 2013
Substitute Introduced:	March 19, 2013
Passed Third Reading:	March 19, 2013
Approved:	March 25, 2013
By:
Effective:	March 29, 2013