(a) The purpose of this chapter is to establish reasonable, consistent, content-neutral, and nondiscriminatory requirements and standards which encourage creativity and flexibility in the design, erection, and effective use of signs, symbols, markings, and/or advertising devices as a means of communication within the Village of Cadiz . Signs constitute a separate and distinct use of the land upon which they are placed and affect the use of adjacent streets, sidewalks and other places open to the public. These standards are designed to protect and promote the public health, safety, and general welfare of persons within the community by minimizing potential hazards to pedestrians and vehicular traffic, to minimize the possible adverse effect of signs on nearby public and private property, to enable the fair and consistent enforcement of these sign requirements, and to aid in the development and promotion of business and industrial growth.
(b) Specific purposes include the following:
(1) Reduce traffic hazards caused by unregulated signs which may distract, confuse and impair the visibility of motorists and pedestrians;
(2) Ensure the effectiveness of public traffic signs and signals;
(3) Protect property values through preservation and enhancement of the appearance of the streetscape;
(4) Insure the compatibility of signs with surrounding property to provide an attractive visual environment throughout the Village of Cadiz and reduce sign blight and clutter;
(5) Protect the character and appearance of the Village of Cadiz 's neighborhoods;
(6) Aid in the attraction of tourists and economic activity to the Village of Cadiz by promoting safe travel and way-finding with size, height, placement and lighting standards necessary to promote safe viewing and reaction times;
(7) Regulate signs in a manner consistent with the planned character and development of different zoning districts;
(8) Protect the public investment in streets, highways and other public improvements;
(9) Protect and improve the public health, safety and general welfare; and
(10) Provide design standards for continuity of graphic style, material, and color. (Ord. 2014-50. Passed 12-18-14.)