§ 27-624.02. Gateway Signs (Integrated Shopping Center).

(a)

A permanent gateway sign identifying an Integrated Shopping Center, and/or the businesses within the Integrated Shopping Center, is permitted in any Commercial Zone, provided the Integrated Shopping Center consists of lots or parcels which collectively comprise at least thirty-five (35) contiguous acres of land. Any such gateway sign shall be included in the allowable number of freestanding signs for the Integrated Shopping Center, and shall be subject to the following requirements:

(1)

Location - The sign may be located on property adjoining an Integrated Shopping Center, if the sign: (i) is located on a property that is at the intersection of two (2) roads, one of which must be classified in the currently approved master plan as at least a freeway, and the other classified as at least arterial status; (ii) is located within a Center or Corridor, as set forth in the County's General Plan; (iii) is located no less than four hundred (400) feet from land in any residential zone (excluding any public right-of-way or land owned by a public agency), and no less than one thousand (1000) feet from land occupied by a rapid rail transit station; and (iv) is located no more than six hundred (600) feet from the closest boundary of the Integrated Shopping Center. All of the above-referenced criteria for location of a gateway sign shall only apply at the time that the permit for the gateway sign is approved. Any such gateway sign shall only identify the adjoining Integrated Shopping Center and/or the businesses within the adjoining Integrated Shopping Center, and the location of said sign shall have been noted upon a special exception site plan approved prior to 1986.

(2)

Maximum height - Fifty-five (55) feet above the established grade;

(3)

Area - A maximum of seven hundred (700) square feet of lettering/advertising area, if the location of said sign is noted upon a special exception site plan approved prior to 1986; a maximum of four hundred (400) square feet in all other cases. For purposes of this Section of the Ordinance, the area of said sign shall be defined to be, and only include, the actual area of the sign box (which could include internally illuminated panels), and/or individual letters not within a sign box, which shall be calculated and reduced by fifty percent (50%); said fifty percent (50%) reduction shall be presumed to equal the spaces between the letters, figures, and designs;

(4)

Setback - A minimum of ten (10) feet from the ultimate right-of-way; if, however, the gateway sign meets the conditions set forth in Section 27-259(a)(3) of this Subtitle, then the sign shall be permitted to be located less than ten (10) feet from, or within, the ultimate right-of- way.

(5)

A subsequent change in any of the above-referenced criteria or requirements shall not cause the gateway sign to be classified as nonconforming.

(b)

Detailed Site Plan- Gateway signs associated with Integrated Shopping Centers shall require an approved Limited Detailed Site Plan in accordance with Part 3, Division 9, of this Subtitle prior to the issuance of permits. The Limited Detailed Site Plan shall be reviewed and approved by the Planning Director, and shall be limited to the overall design of the gateway sign (i.e., the construction materials, colors, and illumination, but not the location, height or area), which shall be found to be compatible with the Integrated Shopping Center being advertised.

(c)

No departure or variance shall be granted from above provisions regulating gateway signs associated with Integrated Shopping Centers.

(CB-15-2009)