Appendix 1011. Scenic areas and highways.

Horry County Council recognizes that county citizens may desire more comprehensive sign regulations than those contained in this article in various sections of the County and along public highways. Therefore, county council reserves the right to establish scenic areas in which additional sign controls and regulations may be enacted and enforced under the provisions of this ordinance.

(A)

Veteran's Highway Overlay Zone.

1.

Purpose: The purpose of the Veteran's Highway Overlay Zone is to preserve the exceptional scenic value of the highway and maintain the serene farm field and natural vistas from the highway for all travelers to enjoy.

2.

Application: The Veteran's Highway Overlay Zone provides supplemental sign regulations. The overlay zone extends one thousand (1,000) feet of the right-of-way line on either side of Veteran's Highway.

3.

Applicable supplemental sign regulations:

(a)

Off-premises signs are prohibited with the exception of official signs or logo signs placed by a governmental agency.

(b)

On-site signage. The following standards shall apply to on-site signage in the Veteran's Highway Overlay Zone.

1.

Parcels with existing businesses on-premises with four hundred (400) feet of Veteran's Highway frontage shall be permitted one (1) thirty-five (35) foot tall freestanding "primary" identification sign that is visible from the highway. For each additional four hundred (400) feet, or portion thereof, of highway frontage an additional freestanding identification sign, twenty-five (25) feet in height, or an eight (8) foot high monument-style sign shall be permitted. Additional freestanding signage shall not be visible from the highway and shall be directed toward the roadway from which the business accesses. When a parcel is located at the corner of Veteran's Highway and Highways 501, 319, 701, 905 and 90 the sign located along such frontage shall be an eight (8) foot monument-style sign. In no instance shall a site have more than three (3) on-site freestanding signs.

2.

Individual parcels with existing businesses on-premises with between two hundred (200) and four hundred (400) feet of frontage along Veteran's Highway shall be permitted one (1) visible freestanding sign, twenty-five (25) feet in height and one (1) eight (8) foot high monument-style sign. Either the freestanding or the monument style sign may be visible from the highway. In no instance shall both signs be visible except where the parcel is located on a corner of Veteran's Highway and Highways 501, 319, 701, 905 and 90.

3.

Individual parcels with existing businesses on-premises with less than two hundred (200) feet of frontage along Veteran's Highway shall be permitted one (1) twenty-five (25) foot freestanding sign or two (2) eight (8) foot high monument-style signs. When two (2) monument-style signs are utilized only one (1) shall be visible from the highway except where the parcel is located on a corner of the highway and Highway 501, 319, 701, 905, and 90.

4.

Freestanding and monument-style sign area (advertising area) shall be determined by the amount of frontage along Veteran's Highway that the parcel has. For parcels with less than four hundred (400) feet of highway frontage sign area shall equal one (1) square feet for every one (1) foot of highway frontage. For parcels with greater than four hundred (400) feet of highway frontage sign area shall equal two (2) square feet for every foot of highway frontage. In no case shall total sign area on a site, excluding wall signage, exceed seven hundred fifty (750) sq. ft.

5.

Freestanding and monument-style signage shall be architecturally designed to reflect the character of the structure for which they are advertising.

6.

Animated signs or signs with flashing lights are prohibited in the corridor, except that time and temperature boards, electronic message centers, and light emitting diode (LED) displays shall be allowed;

7.

Internal illumination of freestanding sign shall be shall be required. Monument-style signage may be externally lit provided the illumination source is shielded from the corridor. When internal illumination of freestanding signs is not possible, the Zoning Administrator may permit external illumination.

(c)

Wall signage. The following standards shall apply to on-site signage in the Veteran's Highway Overlay Zone.

1.

One (1) wall sign no greater than fifteen (15) percent of the wall area shall be permitted per wall face. Except for business located at the corners of Veteran's Highway and Highways 501, 319, 701, 905, and 90 only one (1) wall sign shall be visible to Veteran's Highway. Where such business is located at the corner of Veteran's Highway and Highways 501, 319, 701, 905 and 90 wall signs may be visible from Veteran's Highway and Highway 501, 319, 701, 905 and 90.

2.

Wall signs shall be internally lit.

3.

Wall signs may attached directly to the wall face or may be part of a canopy or awning provided the provisions of (A), above are met.

4.

Wall signs may include text or an industry graphic provided the provisions or (A), above are met.

(Ord. No. 52-99, § 1, 5-18-99; Ord. No. 53-01, § 1, 6-19-01; Ord. No. 84-01, § 1, 7-10-01)