§ 17-503. Application process.

(a) Application by Ordinance.

Approval of an Application for an Area of Special Sign Control requires approval by ordinance, in accordance with the applicable procedures of Title 5, Subtitle 5 {"Legislative Authorizations"} of this Code, except that §§ 5-506(a)(2) and 5-508 do not apply.

(b) Process.

(1) If an area is located in a zoning district listed in § 17-502(a)(1) of this subtitle and meets the requirements of this subtitle, a proposed Ordinance can be introduced to designate that area as an Area of Special Sign Control.

(2) Notice of the proposed Ordinance's introduction is as required in § 5-603 of this Code, except that instead of the contents of the notice as set forth in § 5-603(b) of this Code, the notice must instead include:

(i) date of the proposed Ordinance's introduction and its assigned bill number;

(ii) date of hearing on the proposed Ordinance;

(iii) the name and address of the applicant(s);

(iv) the boundaries of the proposed area;

(v) Planning Department contact information, at which the public can arrange to review the proposed Signage Plan; and

(vi) a statement that any objections to the designation of the area as an Area of Special Signage Control should be given to the Director of Planning and the City Council.

(1) The Planning Commission may recommend approval of the application so long as the Planning Commission makes findings of fact that the designation of the area as an Area of Special Signage Control:

(i) would not increase the likelihood of traffic congestion or distraction;

(ii) would not add to the visual clutter in the area; and

(iii) would not be incongruous with the existing or contemplated design of the area.

(2) If 51% of property owners inside the proposed Area of Special Sign Control object to the designation of that area as an Area of Special Sign Control before the Planning Commission hearing on the proposed Ordinance, the Director of Planning:

(i) may not recommend to the Planning Commission that the City Council approve the application; but

(ii) must still address the findings required by paragraph (1) of this subsection.

(3) The City Council may approve the application even if the Planning Commission does not approve it, so long as the City Council makes findings of fact that the designation of the area as an Area of Special Signage Control:

(i) would not increase the likelihood of traffic congestion or distraction;

(ii) would not add to the visual clutter in the area; and

(iii) would not be incongruous with the existing or contemplated design of the area.