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Urban Renewal Areas – Portable Sign Review Process All signs proposed for the Urban Renewal Areas are required to undergo review by the Salem Redevelopment Authority (SRA) and its Design Review Board (DRB) prior to installation. The purpose of this review is to bring a visual vitality to the downtown through good graphics and compatibility with surrounding historic architecture. The review process for sign installation involves the following six steps: 1. The applicant submits a complete application packet two Fridays before the next DRB Meeting. The application packet must include the following: A. Sign permit application form (signed by sign owner and property owner). (See attached example.) B. Proof of adequate liability insurance. (See note below.) C. Brief cover letter describing the proposal. Be sure to specify the letter style and size in inches. State whether or not the entrance is used by more than one business. (See attached example.) D. Scaled drawing of sign or photograph of existing sign with dimensions. E. Color samples and/or descriptions (actual paint chips, Pantone numbers or photograph and/or existing sign). F. Contextual photograph(s) of building and sidewalk showing where portable sign is proposed. G. Scaled plan showing business entrance and proposed sign location. Indicate distance from entrance and sign clearances. (See attached example.) The submission to the DRB must include one application form and one certificate of liability insurance (items A and and eight color copies of items C-G listed above. Note: Proof of adequate liability insurance must be submitted with the application. The certificate of liability insurance must indicate: A minimum limit of $1,000,000.00 for each occurrence; The portable sign is included in the liability coverage; and The City and the Salem Redevelopment Authority are additional insureds. 2. The DRB reviews the application at their meeting and provides a recommendation to the SRA on the sign design. Applicants or their designated representative are required to attend all DRB meetings at which their sign is discussed. No application will be reviewed without representation by the applicant. 3. Applicant has one week from the DRB meeting to prepare the changes recommended by the DRB and submit the final sign design packet to the SRA. This packet should include all the same information as was provided to the DRB (items c-g listed above) with the required changes. Submission to the SRA must include seven color copies. 4. Please refer to the “SRA Sign Review Process” document regarding submission to the SRA after a project receives a recommendation from the DRB. 5. After receiving full approval from the SRA, the permit application will require approval and issuance of the permit by the Building Department. 6. The permit will be mailed to the address indicated on the application form. For more information please contact the Department of Planning and Community Development at (978) 619-5685. ---PAGE BREAK--- ---PAGE BREAK--- ---PAGE BREAK---