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An ordinance amending Section 17.36.120 of the Metropolitan Code, Zoning Regulations regarding the age of eligibility for signs to considered for a Historic Landmark Signage Overlay (Proposal No. 2024Z-002TX-001).
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WHEREAS, Subsection 17.36.120.E.1.d of the Metropolitan Code currently states that a sign must be over fifty years old before an application can be submitted to have it considered a historic landmark sign; and
WHEREAS, signs of historical importance may be less than fifty years old; and
WHEREAS, the Metropolitan Government of Nashville and Davidson County (“Metropolitan Government”) wishes to protect such signage so as to preserve the region’s history during this period of rapid development and transformation of the built environment; and
WHEREAS, a property that has achieved significance in under fifty years may apply to be listed in the National Register of Historic Places if it is of exceptional importance and otherwise meets specific criteria; and
WHEREAS, the Metropolitan Government similarly wishes to have the flexibility to deem signage less than fifty years old to be a historic landmark sign when appropriate; and
WHEREAS, it is deemed to be in the best interests of the Metropolitan Government to amend the ordinance so that signs thirty years and older may be eligible for historic landmark protection.
BE IT ENACTED BY THE METROPOLITAN COUNCIL OF NASHVILLE AND DAVIDSON COUNTY:
Section 1. That Section 17.36.120 of the Metropolitan Code of Laws, Subsection E.1.d is hereby amended by deleting it in its entirety and replacing it with the following:
d. Age. The sign must have been constructed more than thirty years before the date of application.
Section 2. The Metropolitan Clerk is directed to publish a notice announcing such change in a newspaper of general circulation within five days following final passage.
Section 3. This Ordinance shall take effect upon publication of above said notice announcing such change in a newspaper of general circulation, the welfare of The Metropolitan Government of Nashville and Davidson County requiring it.
Agenda Analysis
Analysis
This ordinance amends Section 17.36.120 of the Metropolitan Code to change the eligibility age of signage for the Historic Landmark Signage Overlay district from 50 years to 30 years. The Historic Landmark Signage Overlay district was added to the Metropolitan Code in 2021 to allow for the preservation of signage that meets certain criteria including materials and design, historical integrity, location, and age.
Currently, only signage that is constructed more than 50 years prior the date of application of the overlay is eligible for the Historic Landmark Signage Overlay district. The ordinance under consideration would lower the eligibility age to 30 years prior to the date of application of the overlay. This change would result in additional signage being eligible for the Historic Landmark Signage Overlay district.
The Planning Commission recommended approval of this ordinance at their February 22, 2024, meeting. The Metro Historic Zoning Commission recommended approval of this ordinance at their February 21, 2024, meeting.