Sec. 23-4.3.1

Certificate of appropriateness approval shall lapse, and become null and void, where the applicant or a successor-in-interest has failed to establish the use authorized thereby or to commence and diligently pursue the construction authorized thereby within eighteen (18) months after the date of approval of the certificate of appropriateness unless otherwise indicated in the certificate of appropriateness.

A certificate of appropriateness shall not be required in any historic overlay district for: Normal repairs and maintenance activities... Alterations to the interior spaces... Changes to buildings or structures primarily used or to be used for agricultural or horticultural purposes... Banner signs displayed in accordance with subsection 23-7.3.9(b)... The reconstruction, alteration, or restoration of any building, structure, or landscape approved by a state or federal agency... The erection or modification of any sign that meets the requirements of section 23-4.3.2.

A certificate of appropriateness shall be required in any historic overlay district for: The erection, reconstruction, alteration, or restoration of any building, structure, or landscape; or The razing, demolition, or movement of any building, structure, or landscape; or The alteration of any exterior architectural feature on any building or structure, regardless of the requirement for a building permit; or The erection or modification of any sign, which does not satisfy the requirements of section 23-4.3.2.

Whether the applicant's proposal is architecturally compatible with the motif and character of the historic overlay district or historic landmark; Whether the applicant's proposal conforms to the criteria set forth by the secretary of the interior or other preservation guidelines subsequently adopted by the historic preservation commission; The extent to which the applicant's proposal will affect the overall character, visual impact, and continuity of the historic overlay district; Whether the height, proportion, openings, spacing, roofs, walls, fences, landscaping, ground cover, scale, and orientation of the applicant's proposal are visually compatible with the surrounding community; Whether the materials and textures of the applicant's proposal are compatible with the historic overlay district's character; and In the case of a building or structure to be razed, demolished, or moved, the extent to which the loss of same will detract from the historic overlay district and the purposes of this division.

No copy area shall exceed sixty (60) percent of the sign face and never more than nine (9) square feet.

No copy area shall exceed sixty (60) percent of the sign face and never more than nine (9) square feet.

No sign or sign element shall exceed six (6) feet in height.

No sign or sign element shall exceed six (6) feet in width.

No letters shall exceed five (5) inches.

No sign shall exceed three (3) earth-tone colors. Logos are exempt.

No sign face shall exceed fifteen (15) square feet.

No tenant sign shall exceed one (1) square foot.

No sign face shall be closer than eighteen (18) inches from average grade.

No sign shall be internally lit; signs shall be externally lit in a manner which restricts light-spill and does not create a glare situation, whereby public safety is affected.

Sign faces shall be made of: Solid wood or plywood. Composite plastic products, provided it can be crafted to resemble wood. Vinyl board, provided it has the appearance of wood and has a matte finish.

All proposed typography must be of a serif nature.