Downtown Chapel Hill

Proposed Banner Policy

 

Banners

Managing Authority:  Banners in downtown Chapel Hill are managed by the Chapel Hill Downtown Partnership, a nonprofit corporation that is charged with bringing the resources of the Town, University, and the downtown community together to maintain, enhance and promote downtown as a social, cultural and spiritual center of Chapel Hill through economic development.

 

Definitions: 

  1. Banners are defined as a piece of cloth that is intended to communicate a message through words, color, symbols, or logos.
  2. Downtown Chapel Hill is defined as the central business district.

 

Purpose:  The purpose of installing banners in a downtown district is to promote the downtown revitalization initiative and to quickly convey a positive visual message about the central business district and what it has to offer.

 

Time Period:  Banners may be permitted up to three months (ninety days), and extensions may be granted by the managing authority with a renewed application. 

 

Criteria for Approval: Banners will be installed by the Town of Chapel Hill under the coordination of the Chapel Hill Downtown Partnership, for the purpose of promoting the revitalization and vitality of downtown.   Other nonprofits organizations interested in installing banners may make application provided that the banners reinforce the purpose as outlined in this policy and meet the guidelines for approval. More than one nonprofit may be approved for the same quarter-period in different areas of downtown, but permission is granted at the discretion of the managing authority.

 

Site Locations:  Such banners may be hung over the streets right-of-way in Downtown Chapel Hill. The Chapel Hill Downtown Partnership, Duke Energy, and the Town of Chapel Hill have developed a banner site map to determine where and how many banners may be displayed at any given time. (See attached banner site map (PDF))

 

Policy Specifics:

  1. Application to install banners may be made once each quarter and will be reviewed once each quarter by the Chapel Hill Downtown Partnership.  CHDP will manage the coordination of the banner program with Town of Chapel Hill departments. (There is no fee.)
  2. Such banners must be consistent with common community values and approved by the managing authority based on the meeting the guidelines of this policy.
  3. The following streets may be eligible for banners:  Franklin Street, Rosemary Street and Columbia Street, and other streets within the central business district. (See banner site map (PDF) for approved locations). 
  4. Such banners are limited to the number of banner arm brackets that are installed in approved locations and must be hung on approved brackets only.  The Chapel Hill Downtown Partnership, Duke Energy and the Town of Chapel Hill will approve the brackets and the approved locations.
  5. In addition to banners, approved sites will be identified by the Chapel Hill Downtown Partnership, Duke Energy, and the Town of Chapel Hill for displaying the US Flag on federal holidays (as defined in attachment).  These sites may not be used for banners and flags at the same time.
  6. All banners must conform to the North Carolina Department of Transportation (NCDOT) regulations regarding banners on state and federal highways and roadways.  (See attached)
  7. The size of approved banners must be 30” X 60” and must be made of awning fabric, vinyl, nylon or alternative materials, subject to approval by the Chapel Hill Downtown Partnership.
  8. Such banners must be new or in “like new” condition.
  9. Only seasonal, informational or generic banners may be approved.  Event banners are not eligible.
  10. Commercial advertising of any kind is not permitted.
  11. It must be hung between the pedestrian light and the cobra head light only.  If there are power lines attached to the pole at that point, the banner cannot be installed on that pole.
  12. The Town of Chapel Hill will install and remove approved banners once quarterly.  Banner arm brackets will be maintained as required at the time of installation or removal.    Any additional maintenance required will be administered by the Town of Chapel Hill and all personnel time and equipment required will be paid for by the sponsoring nonprofit organization. If the Town of Chapel Hill cannot perform the required maintenance, the sponsoring nonprofit organization may contract with an approved private contractor.
  13. The Chapel Hill Downtown Partnership is the permitting authority for downtown banners in cooperation with the Town of Chapel Hill.