Piscataway City Zoning Code
§ 21-1017.2
Conditions.
[Ord. No. 06-44; Ord. No. 07-20; Ord. No. 13-09]
a.
Billboards are permitted only within the HC, (Hotel Conference), LI-5, (Light Industrial), and SC, (Shopping Center) zones along Interstate Route 287; only within 100 feet of the nearest right-of-way line of I-287; not less than 500 feet from an overpass or underpass that traverses I-287; and, at least 500 feet from any residential zone boundary, measured to the nearest edge of the billboard sign area, including any copy extensions.
Lots where billboards are located must have a minimum lot frontage adjacent to the main traveled right-of-way line of I-287 of 500 feet.
b.
The maximum billboard height shall not exceed 65 feet above the elevation of I-287 measured from the closest edge of pavement on I-287.
c.
The minimum setback from the I-287 right-of-way shall be 10 feet. The minimum setback from any other lot line or street line shall be 10 feet measured to the nearest edge of the billboard sign area, including any copy extensions. The maximum distance from the nearest edge of the sign face to the nearest edge of the primary building on the lot shall not exceed 250 feet.
d.
The maximum billboard sign facing any one direction shall be 672 square feet. Copy extension beyond the basic billboard sign are permitted provided they do not exceed 5 1/2 feet above and two feet on either side of the regular display area. Extensions shall not be considered when calculating maximum sign area and maximum billboard height.
e.
The total number of billboard structures shall not exceed three within any linear mile, considering both sides of I-287. The minimum distance between billboards along the same side of I-287 shall be 1,500 feet.
f.
Any billboard proposed to be located within 500 feet to 1,000 feet of any residential zone shall be oriented so that its sign copy cannot be read from within any part of the residential zone; shall utilize stealth coloring of its supporting members and framework, as approved by the appropriate Board having jurisdiction; and shall only be permitted if adequately screened by existing trees, buildings or topography for the benefit of the residential area(s) within the 1,000-foot distance.
g.
All billboards shall be designed and constructed to confine their lines of sight to I-287.
h.
Applications for billboards shall be subject to the site plan review and approval procedures as set forth in the Piscataway Township Site Plan Review Ordinance as codified in Chapter 24, as well as the following more specific site plan review items:
1.
Applications for billboards shall be reviewed for traffic safety, lighting, landscaping, visual impact, drainage and other similar elements of site plan review. The reviewing Board shall specifically consider the visual impact of the proposed billboard on any residential properties located within 1,000 feet as provided in paragraph f above. Visual impacts on surrounding properties shall be minimized and addressed through the use of landscaping, screening, berming, grading, fencing and stealth covering.
2.
Lighting of any billboard shall be designed to avoid glare and spillover and to confine the illuminated areas to the sign face.
3.
Landscaping shall be required to be provided around the base of the billboard and may be required elsewhere on the lot where the billboard will be located.
i.
Billboards shall be subject to the bulk regulations and yard requirements of the applicable zone, as set forth in the Schedule of General Requirements in the Zoning Ordinance (Section 21-501) except as otherwise specified in subsection 21-1017.2c.
j.
The sign copy and sign face may not attempt, or appear to attempt, to direct the movement of traffic or interfere with, imitate or resemble any official traffic sign, signal or device, or include or utilize flashing, intermittent or moving lights, or utilize lighting equipment or reflectorized materials which emit or reflect colors, including but not limited to red, amber or green.
k.
Digital and variable multi-message signs shall be permitted.
l.
In addition to all of the above conditions, all billboards shall meet all of the requirements as set forth in Chapter 41C, Subchapter 16:41C-1.1 through 16:41C-10.4 of the New Jersey Administrative Code, as may be amended from time to time.
m.
The provisions of this section shall not apply to the erection of billboards on municipally-owned property, on an easement for municipal use, or on municipal rights-of-way. Notwithstanding anything contained herein, the exemption of the Township from the provisions of this section shall not affect the minimum distance requirements between billboards, and shall not increase the number of billboards permitted.