Chapter 18.86
SIGN REGULATIONS IN THE BEAR VALLEY AREA
Sections:
18.86.010 Purpose of chapter.
18.86.020 Scope of chapter.
18.86.030 Fees.
18.86.040 Amendments.
18.86.050 Review committee.
18.86.060 Design elements.
18.86.070 Design standards and regulations pertaining to specific sign types.
18.86.080 Signs erected prior to adoption of these provisions.
18.86.090 Enforcement.
18.86.100 Violation—Penalty.
18.86.010 Purpose of chapter.
The purpose of this chapter is to establish firm and consistent standards for signage in Bear Valley that will:
A. Insure effective, individually unique business identification signs for the business community;
B. Provide attractive, adequate and consistent directional and informational signs for the public; and
C. Protect the unique character and appearance of Bear Valley and its surroundings.
D. The ordinance codified in this chapter is adopted pursuant to Title 18 of this code. (Ord. 563 § 1, 1994)
18.86.020 Scope of chapter.
This chapter shall apply to signs placed on all properties located in Bear Valley, including residential and commercial areas, common areas and other public lands, and to all of the scenic corridor of Highway 4 as it extends through the valley. Exempted from these provisions are signs not visible from public streets. Signs in windows will be consistent with these provisions, including permanent wording incorporated into retail display windows. (Ord. 563 § 2, 1994)
18.86.030 Fees.
This chapter does not provide for the imposition of fees. County-wide fees, provided for under Section 3.04.010 of this code, shall apply as appropriate to the specific circumstances. (Ord. 563 § 3, 1994)
18.86.040 Amendments.
All provisions of this chapter shall remain in effect in full force until amended or revoked. All changes shall be made through the usual and customary procedures then in existence in Alpine County for the amendment of an ordinance. (Ord. 563 § 4, 1994)
18.86.050 Review committee.
A. A sign review committee shall be established as an advisory group organized under the Alpine County planning department and shall be responsible for interpreting the meaning and intent of this chapter as it is expressed in local signage.
B. The sign review committee shall meet as often as necessary, at the request of the planning department, for the timely processing of requests, concerns or other matters involving signs, and for otherwise supervising signage as governed by this chapter. Recommendations of the sign review committee shall be forwarded to and be required by the planning department prior to the review and approval process and the issuance of a permit for a sign in the Bear Valley area. The sign review committee shall provide a response and recommendation to the planning department within thirty days of an application for sign approval.
C. Applications for sign approval shall include drawings of proposed signs, indicating size and scale, design, colors, materials, location, method of mounting, lighting and all other salient factors, for presentation of the sign review committee for its review and approval.
D. All new or replacement signs in Bear Valley requested after the date of adoption of the ordinance codified in this chapter shall require the approval of the sign review committee. Appeals for resolutions of disputes regarding decisions of the sign review committee shall be through the planning commission appeal procedures in effect in Alpine County.
E. The sign review committee shall establish a priority for purchase of new and replacement community signs. Funding determinations will be made by the CSA #1 board of directors.
F. The committee shall have by-laws, shall conform to county procedures for the conduct of advisory meetings, including agendas and minutes, unless otherwise provided for in this chapter, and shall be subject to the provisions of the California Government Code regarding public meetings. No member shall receive compensation other than expenses as approved by the county. The committee shall consist of five persons, selected for two-year terms, with the initial terms staggered as indicated, with one person appointed by each of the following groups:
|
|
Term Expires |
|
|
1. |
County service area #1 board |
12-31-95 |
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2. |
Bear Valley architectural review committee |
12-31-94 |
|
3. |
Bear Valley business association |
12-31-95 |
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4. |
Bear Valley lodge owner |
12-31-94 |
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5. |
Bear Valley Residents’ Inc. |
12-31-95 |
G. Each represented group will be responsible to reappoint their committee member upon notification that a vacancy has occurred. (Ord. 563 § 5, 1994)
18.86.060 Design elements.
A. The architectural designs, as originally conceived for Bear Valley and as shown in the bylaws of the sign review committee, will be the basis for all new or replacement sign evaluation of noncommercial sign by the sign review committee. Whenever sign needs are envisioned that are not specifically detailed, the conceptual, thematic and color elements expressed in the designs referenced in the bylaws shall be employed.
B. Commercial signs located on commercial buildings and properties shall be permitted latitude in design to reflect the individual character of the business they represent, but shall follow the overall intent of this chapter to provide useful, well planned, and attractive signage that is in harmony with the natural environment of Bear Valley and is compatible with the building it is on or near, without compromising the ability of the sign to attract business.
C. All signs shall be of high quality materials that are, or resemble, natural materials, where possible. Signs will be well made.
D. Business signs may be on more than one face of a building. Each business inside a building should be allowed exterior signage, but the display of all these signs, including “Open for Business” signs, must be coordinated in such a manner as to avoid a cluttered or haphazard appearance.
E. All signs shall be well maintained and lack of maintenance shall fall within the purview of the sign review committee.
F. Overall height and placement of all signs shall take into account average winter snow depths and snow removal requirements.
G. Signs shall not project above any roof or cornice line unless they are considered an architectural feature of the building to which they are attached.
H. Lighting shall not exceed a level necessary for clarity and reasonability. In no case shall the level of lighting result in unwarranted illumination of adjacent properties or areas.
I. These standards and regulations are in addition to all general county ordinances pertaining to signs, which shall also apply to Bear Valley. The sign requirements stated in Chapter 18.04 of this code shall be used as a guideline for reviewing all commercial signs; however, the sign review committee shall have latitude in considering sign applications based on the purposes stated in this chapter. (Ord. 563 § 6, 1994)
18.86.070 Design standards and regulations pertaining to specific sign types.
A. Real Estate Signs.
1. Real estate signs advertising the sale of properties or a single unit within a complex must be located on the property or unit which it is advertising. Real estate directional signs are prohibited; open house signs may be located on the property itself.
2. Real estate signs must be removed within forty-five days after the close of escrow upon the sale of the property, are subject to a one-time review for color and design by the sign committee, and are limited to a size no larger than eighteen by twenty-four inches.
B. Construction Signs. Construction signs shall be no larger than eighteen by twenty-four inches. Color and design considerations shall respect the overall intent of this chapter, and are subject to a one-time review for color and design by the sign review committee. Construction signs may be posted only on the property under construction and must be removed within forty-five days after cessation or completion of the project.
C. Political Candidate Signs. Political candidate signs are limited to no larger than eighteen by twenty-four inches. Color and design considerations shall respect the overall intent and criteria of this chapter. These signs may be posted no more than thirty days before a special, primary or general election date and must be removed within forty-eight hours after the date of the applicable election. Political signs are limited to one sign per property, must be posted on private property only, and must only be posted with the permission of the property owner.
D. Temporary Commercial Advertising. Temporary commercial advertising, including free-standing, nonpermanent signs, must be approved through the sign review committee. Annual signs may only require initial approval by the committee; subsequent years approval may not be necessary as long as the format and placement of the sign remains consistent with that initially approved. However, the sign review committee may set a time frame for review of an approved sign within this category.
E. Special Event Signs. Special event signs such as banners and directional signs for community activities require approval of the sign review committee in respect to color, size, design and placement. Annual signs may only require initial approval by the committee; subsequent years approval may not be necessary as long as the format and placement of the sign remains consistent with that initially approved. However, the sign review committee may set a time frame for review of an approved sign within this category.
F. Traffic, Parking and Public Safety Signs.
1. All traffic and parking signs shall conform to the requirements of state law. Any other sign of this type not under state requirements shall conform to the standards of the public works department, which will take the design standards established by this chapter into consideration.
2. Special signs may be temporarily or permanently posted whenever, in the opinion of the public works department, a safety hazard exists. To the extent possible, consistent with safety, the signs shall reflect the design and color considerations of this chapter. A standard format and color approval may be established.
G. Scenic Corridor Signs. Scenic corridor signs are those signs located within two hundred fifty feet on either side of the centerline of Highway 4 and/or visible from the highway in the vicinity of Bear Valley. Generic informational, directional and traffic signs shall be the only scenic corridor signs allowed. Such signs shall conform to the design and color concepts as shown in the Bylaws. (Ord. 563 § 7, 1994)
18.86.080 Signs erected prior to adoption of these provisions.
The sign review committee shall review all signs in Bear Valley for conformance within one year of the adoption of the ordinance codified in this chapter. Any legally erected sign which does not comply may remain unchanged for the limit of its current use permit, or until such time as it is repaired, replaced or, in the judgment of the sign review committee, is in gross disrepair. (Ord. 563 § 8, 1994)
18.86.090 Enforcement.
Complaints of noncompliance with this chapter will be referred to the sign review committee for response and recommendation. Enforcement of violations of this chapter will be handled pursuant to Section 18.92.040 of this code. (Ord. 563 § 9, 1994)
18.86.100 Violation—Penalty.
Violation of this chapter will be subject to the penalties set forth in Section 18.92.050 of this code. (Ord. 563 § 10, 1994)