4352 The Barn Historic Neon SignOrdinance No. 2015- 4352
An ordinance of the City of Sanford, Florida relating to historic
preservation and designating the neon sign structure located at 1200
S. French Avenue (Tax Parcel Identification Number 25- 19- 30 -5AG-
1409- 0010), which sign is known as "The Barn Sign ", as a historic
landmark; providing for legislative findings and intent; providing for
designation and signage; providing for conditions; providing for
implementing administrative actions and responsibility for
implementation; providing for a savings provision; providing for
conflicts; providing for severability; providing for codification and the
correction of scrivener's errors and providing for an effective date.
Whereas, Section 5.0 of Schedule "S" of the Land Development Regulations of
the City of Sanford sets forth the criteria and procedures for designating local historic
landmarks and provides as follows:
A. Criteria for designating local historic landmarks. Properties may qualify
if, in the judgment of the Board [ Historic Preservation Board], a property is
at least 50 years old and is of exceptional significance based on the
following criteria:
1. Historical, architectural and/or cultural significance;
2. Suitability for preservation or restoration;
3. Educational value.
B. Procedures for designating historic landmarks. The procedure for
designating local historic landmarks is as follows:
1. The applicant submits an application to the Planning and Community
Development Department.
2. Property owner must sign an affidavit stating that he consents to the
designation of his property as a historic landmark.
3. The Planning Department shall schedule a complete application for
Board review.
4. The Board shall conduct a public meeting following written notice by mail
of the date, time and place of said hearing to the last -known address of the
owners of the affected property. In addition, a sign containing the same
information shall be placed on the affected property no later than ten days
prior to such hearing.
5. The Board may recommend to the City Commission adoption of an
ordinance designating one or more historic landmarks based on the criteria
described in this section.
6. Upon recommendation of the board, the City Commission may, after
holding public hearings preceded by sufficient written notice to the last
known address of the owners and occupants of the affected property, adopt
Ordinance No. 2015 - 4352
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; and
an ordinance designating one or more historic landmarks based on the
criteria noted above.
7. Upon adoption of the ordinance, the owners and occupants of each
designated historic landmark shall be given written notification of such
designation by the City Commission.
8. The ordinance shall also provide for a suitable sign or marker on or near
the property indicating that the property has been so designated.
Whereas, the sign structure located on real property bearing the address 1200 S.
French Avenue (assigned Tax Parcel Identification Number 25-19-30-5AG-1 409-0010 by
the Seminole County Property Appraiser) located at said location was determined, in the
judgment of the City of Sanford's Historic Preservation Board, to be at least fifty years old
and of exceptional significance; and
Whereas, the sign structure has historical, architectural and cultural significance
to the Sanford community and is well known as a roadside landmark; and
Whereas, the sign structure is representative of a bygone era of roadside
architectural signs designed, constructed, and illuminated; and
Whereas, the sign structure will be restored in compliance with Schedule'S" of the
Land Development Regulations of the City of Sanford; and
Whereas, the sign structure will be rehabilitated, which will include removal of all
neon tubing; sanding, priming, and painting; and re-installation of the neon tubing; and
Whereas, the existing reader board sign will be modified to comply with Schedule
"S" including replacing the internal illumination with externally mounted lights; and
Whereas, a landscape planter approved by the Planning Department will be
installed at the base of the sign; and
Ordinance No. 2015 - 4352
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Whereas, the City of Sanford, the State of Florida and the U.S. Department of the
Interior all maintain their own separate lists of historic resources and, although similar,
each agency also maintains its own eligibility criteria for landmark designation; and
Whereas, a resource listed as a historic landmark on one agency's list does not
necessarily mean it is listed on the others; and
Whereas, the City of Sanford Historic Preservation Board has recommended that
the sign structure at 1200 S. French Avenue be designated a historic landmark;
Now, Therefore, Be It Enacted By The People Of The City Of Sanford, Florida:
Section 1. Legislative findings and intent.
(a). The City Commission of the City of Sanford hereby adopts and incorporates
into this Ordinance the City staff report and City Commission agenda memorandum
relating to this Ordinance and accepts and appreciates the recommendation of the
Historic Preservation Board and the fine work accomplished by that body and its
members.
(b). The provisions of this Ordinance are enacted pursuant to the statutory and
home rule powers of the City to establish and maintain the appropriate operations of the
City.
(c). The City of Sanford has complied with all requirements and procedures of
Florida law in processing and advertising this Ordinance.
(d). The intent of this Ordinance is to establish a policy of the City, in keeping
with the vitality and historic ambiance for which it is highly recognized, to enhance and
expand public experience and exposure to culture through various art forms, to enhance
Ordinance No. 2015 - 4352
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the appearance of public facilities and places and improve the artistic and cultural
environment of the City for its citizens.
Section 2: Local Landmark Designation/ Historical Signage Designation.
(a). That the neon sign structure owned by JTV Investments, LLC, located at
1200 S. French Avenue and assigned Tax Parcel Identification Number 25- 19- 30 -5AG-
1409 -0010 by the Seminole County Property Appraiser ( "The Barn Sign "), is hereby
designated as a local historic landmark within the City of Sanford.
(b). A suitable historical marker, as approved by the Historic Preservation
Board, shall be located nearing close proximity to The Barn Sign structure indicating that
the structure has been designated an historic landmark by the City.
Section 3. Repair and Refurbishment.
(a). The repair and refurbishment of The Barn Sign structure must be completed
in accordance with the following conditions:
(1). The sign must be rehabilitated, which will include removal of all neon tubing;
sanding, priming, and painting; and re- installation of the neon tubing.
(2), The existing reader board sign will be modified to comply with Schedule S
regulations, including replacing the internal illumination with externally mounted lights.
(3). A landscape planter approved by the Historic Preservation Officer of the
City must be installed at the base of the sign.
(4). The owner may retain the dancing girl (animated neon character) on the
sign if allowed by the Florida Department of Transportation (FDOT).
(b). The Historic Preservation Officer of the City shall certify compliance with the
provisions of this Ordinance.
Ordinance No. 2015 - 4352
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Section 4. Implementing Administrative Actions.
The Historic Preservation Officer of the City and the City Attorney are hereby
authorized and directed to implement the provisions of this Ordinance and to take any
and all necessary administrative actions to bring into effect the provisions of this
Ordinance.
Section 5. Savings.
The prior actions of the City of Sanford relating to historic preservation and all
similar or related matters are hereby ratified and affirmed.
Section 6. Severability: If any section or portion of a section of this Ordinance
proves to be invalid, unlawful or unconstitutional, it shall not be held to impair the validity,
force or effect of any other section or part of this Ordinance.
Section 7. Conflicts: All ordinances or parts of ordinances in conflict with this
Ordinance are hereby repealed.
Section 8. Codification; Scrivener's Errors.
(a). The provisions of this Ordinance shall be codified as determined to be
appropriate by the Code codifier in consultation with the Historic Preservation Officer of
the City.
(b). The sections of this Ordinance may be renumbered or relettered and the
words of this Ordinance may be changed to section, article or -some other appropriate
word or phrase to accomplish codification.
(c). The divisions and provisions of this may be renumbered or relettered in the
absolute discretion of the Code codifier.
Ordinance No. 2015 - 4352
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(d). Typographical errors and other matters of a similar nature that do not affect
the intent of this Ordinance, as determined by the City Clerk and City Attorney, may be
corrected with the authorization of the City Manager, or designee, without the need for a
public hearing.
Section 9. Effective Date: This ordinance shall become effective immediately
upon its passage and adoption.
Passed and adopted this 28th day of September, 2015.
City Commission of the City of
Sanford, Florida
Seminole County, Florida
7z d, i /z,/Y&
Velma H. Williams, Vice Mayor
Attest:
Cynth a Porter, City Clerk
Ordinance No. 2015 - 4352
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P 'WS _ RM X
Item No.
CITY COMMISSION MEMORANDUM IS- 166
SEPTEMBER 28, 2015 AGENDA
TO: Honorable Mayor and Memb rs of the City Commission
PREPARED BY: Cynthia Porter, City Clerk
SUBMITTED BY: Norton N. Bonaparte, Jr., Cit44anager
SUBJECT: Second reading and adoption of Ordinance o. 4352 regarding Landmark
Designation of The Barn Sign at 1200 S. rench Avenue
STRATEGIC PRIORITIES:
❑ Unify Downtown & the Waterfront
® Promote the City's Distinct Culture
❑ Update Regulatory Framework
❑ Redevelop and Revitalize Disadvantaged Communities
SYNOPSIS:
Ordinance No. 4352, regarding landmark designation of The Barn sign at 1200 S. French Avenue
is being presented for second reading and adoption.
FISCAL/STAFFING STATEMENT:
N/A
BACKGROUND:
The applicant seeks approval for landmark designation of the neon The Barn sign, located at 1200
S. French Avenue. As part of the approval, the applicant has committed to rehabilitation of the
sign, which will include 1) removal of all neon tubing, the sanding, priming, painting, and
reinstallation of the neon tubing, 2) the existing reader board sign will be modified to comply with
Schedule S regulations, including replacing the internal illumination with externally mounted
lights, and 3) a landscape planter approved by the Planning Department will be installed at the
base of the sign.
Schedule S defines a Historic Landmark as: any site (including significant trees or other plant life
located thereon), building, or structure of particular historic or aesthetic significance to the city,
the state, or the nation. Landmarks include, sites, buildings, or structures where cultural, political,
spiritual, economic, social or artistic history of the community, state or nation is reflected or
exemplified or which are identified with historic personages or with important events in local, state
or national history, or which embody the distinguishing characteristics of an architectural
specimen, inherently valuable for a representation of a period, style or method of construction, or
a notable work of construction, or a notable work of a master designer or architect whose individual
genius influenced his age. According to Schedule S:
Properties may qualify if, in the judgment of the HPB, a property is at least fifty (5 0) years old and
is of exceptional significance based on the following criteria:
1. Historical, architectural and /or cultural significance;
2. Suitability for preservation or restoration;
3. Educational value.
The applicant has submitted a letter (attached, dated May 19, 2015) to the Historic Preservation
Board detailing their opinion on the sign's significance as it relates to the criteria above.
National Park Service Preservation Brief #25, The Preservation of Historic Signs encourages
retention of historic signs, particularly when the signs are "local landmarks, that is, signs
recognized as popular focal points in a community." The use of professionally fabricated neon
tubing is considered by many to be a lost art. This type of signage gained favor in the 1920s and
remained extremely popular until the late 1960s. The Barn sign is a late example of this sign type.
Many of these signs have been lost over time, and there are few examples remaining in Central
Florida that represent the age of neon signs. The applicant submitted several pages of a petition to
save the iconic sign, as well as comments from locals and visitors who support the landmark
designation. This documentation serves to establish the cultural significance of the sign.
The rehabilitation of the sign will include removal of all neon tubing; sanding, priming, and
painting; and reinstallation of the neon tubing. The neon dancers will be permanently removed
from the sign, as this element of the sign is flashing, and flashing signs are not permitted along
Florida Department of Transportation roadways. The existing sign contains an internally
illuminated reader board. It is unclear if this board was part of the original construction or alater
addition. A new reader board sign face will be installed, and the internal illumination will be
replaced with externally mounted lights.
On July 15, 2015, the Historic Preservation Board recommended that the City Commission
approve the request for landmark designation of the neon The Barn sign at 1200 S. French Avenue.
On September 14, 2015, the City Commission approved the first reading of Ordinance No. 4352,
with the added condition that the owner can retain the dancing girl in the sign if the Department
of Transportation (DOT) will allow it.
The City Clerk published notice of this public hearing in the Sanford Herald on September 13,
2015.
LEGAL REVIEW:
The Assistant City Attorney drafted the proposed Ordinance.
RECOMMENDATION:
Staff recommends that the City Commission adopt Ordinance No. 4352.
SUGGESTED MOTION:
"I move to adopt Ordinance No. 4352."
Attachment: Ordinance Number 4352