Code Studio worked with Nashville to develop a sign code for the new form-based districts in the Downtown Code. At the time of adoption of the new form districts, the sign code became a contentious issue, and the city determined it would handled separately following adoption of the districts. The existing sign code does little to resolve the differences between auto-oriented gateways and the entertainment and mixed use districts in the core area of the downtown.

 

The issues are made more complex by the fact that regulatory control of signs is divided among the city, the Metro Historic Zoning Commission, and the Metropolitan Development and Housing Authority. Consolidated review at Metro Codes is part of the new sign implementation. The work also included a design workshop to determine the form of new signs in the various subareas of the downtown. The new sign code is street-based, highly illustrated and provides a better match for existing sign area, technology (lighting and changeable copy), and construction in the downtown.