Support the Historic Landmark Sign Code
Historic Landmark Sign (HLS) Amendment to Tucson (PDSD) Sign Code
This Tuesday June 28, Mayor and Council are holding a public hearing to create the Historic Landmark Sign (HLS) Amendment to Tucson (PDSD) Sign Code. This change will help protect and preserve our communities unique neon and modernist signs.
Please attend if you can!!!
Mayor and Council Public Hearing
June 28, 2011
City Hall | 5:30 - 7:00
What Qualifies as HLS?
First, be aware that many signs which potentially qualify would need to be totally restored to be designated as HLS.
The HLS Amendment lists 9 specific requirements that a sign must meet to qualify they are:
1. The sign shall include exposed integral incandescent lighting, or exposed neon lighting.
2. The sign shall use materials and technology representative of its period of construction.
3. The sign shall be non-rectangular or non-planar.
4. The sign shall be a detached, projecting, or roof sign.
5. The sign is structurally safe or can be made safe without substantially altering its historical appearance.
6. The sign shall exemplify the cultural, economic, and historic heritage of Tucson.
7. The sign shall exhibit extraordinary aesthetic quality, creativity, and innovation.
8. The sign is unique; or was originally associated with a chain or franchise business that is either a local or regional chain or franchise only found in Tucson or the southwestern United States; or there is scholarly documentation to support its preservation; or it is a rare surviving example of a once common type.
9. The sign shall retain the majority of its character defining features. If character-defining features have been altered or removed, the majority are potentially restorable to their historic function and appearance.
A few detractors have called for a “list.” Creating such a list is a subjective process that does not take into consideration the historic development patterns of our community. The code creates a process to list these recourses wherever they may exist in the city, and allows for the retention of our collective mid-century heritage.
Why HLS Is Good
Allows HLS to be taken down and restored (previously prohibited).
(An example is the pueblo hotel and apartments “Diving Girl sign on S. 6th Ave)
Allows HLS to be adaptively reused.
Allows unwanted HLS to be relocated to certain areas where other HLS already exist.
Sadly, most of Tucson’s classic signs have already been destroyed. HLS Amendment would allow a business owner to re-create an exact replica of an pre‑1960 HLS which formerly existed on the property. (Think the Coronado or Pioneer Hotel)
Allows blighted, run-down areas of Tucson to be revitalized.
Relocation
The Amendment would allow an HLS sign to be moved to a more appropriate location on the owner’s property, or it could be transferred to an entirely new location, subject to a very specific set of rules. The rules were designed to prevent a sign from being moved too close to a residence, too close to the road, or too far from other existing HLS signs.
Changes to a Sign
Adaptive reuse is allowed, but it must be approved. Generally, slight changes are allowed to reflect the current business, but the sign will have to be very similar to the way it looked in 1974 or earlier.
Why HLS is Not Bad (common misconceptions)
Billboards are completely excluded!
Participation (designation as HLS) is completely voluntary!
NIMBY? A replica or relocated HLS must be located a distance of at least twice the height of the sign from any non-commercial property.
Sign too tall? The height of a relocated sign must be consistent with existing HLS signs nearby.
Can ugly signs qualify? Who decides? Most of Tucson’s favorite historic landmarks were considered ugly, outdated, or obsolete at one time. The Tucson – Pima County Historical Commission Plans Review Subcommittee has 30 years of experience helping the public decide what qualifies as “historic”. In addition to their personal expertise, the Subcommittee adheres to strict guidelines and standards established by the United States Department of the Interior. Additionally, a public review and appeals process is included in the Amendment.
Thank you for taking this into consideration - please contact City of Tucson Mayor and Council and express your support for the Historic Landmark Sign Code.
to read the full code visit: FULL CODE
Mayor Bob Walkup, mayor1@tucsonaz.gov, 791-4201
Ward 1 Council Member Regina Romero, ward1@tucsonaz.gov, 791-4040
Ward 2 Council Member Paul Cunningham, ward2@tucsonaz.gov, 791-4687
Ward 3 Council Member Karin Uhlich, ward3@tucsonaz.gov, 791-4711
Ward 4 Council Member Shirley Scott, ward4@tucsonaz.gov, 791-3199
Ward 5 Council Member Richard Fimbres, ward5@tucsonaz.gov, 791-4231
Ward 6 Council Member Steve Kozachik, ward6@tucsonaz.gov, 791-4601