The purpose of this subchapter is to establish a set of standards for the fabrication, creation, and use of signs, symbols, marking or adverting devices within the township to protect public safety, health and welfare; minimize abundance and size of signs to reduce motorist distraction and loss of sight distance; promote public convenience; preserve property values; support and complement objectives of the township master plan, and this chapter; and enhance the aesthetic appearance within the township. The standards contained in this subchapter are intended to be content neutral. These objectives are accomplished by establishing the minimum amount of regulations necessary concerning the size, placement, construction, illumination and other aspects of signs in the township to:
(A) Recognize that the proliferation of signs is distracting to motorists and non-motorized travelers, reduces the effectiveness of signs that provide safety directions and warnings to the public, causes confusion, reduces desired uniform traffic flow, and creates potential for accidents.
(B) Reduce visual pollution caused by a proliferation of signs that negatively influence the township’s appearance, quality of life and, ultimately, property values.
(C) Prevent signs that are potentially dangerous to the public due to structural deficiencies, disrepair, and distraction for motorists, limitations on sight distance or close proximity to roads.
(D) Eliminate potential conflicts between business signs and traffic control signs that could create confusion and hazardous consequences.
(E) Recognize that the principal intent of commercial signs, to meet the purpose of these standards and serve the public interest, should be to identify an establishment on the premises, and not for advertising special events, brand names or off-premises activities, as these can be advertised more appropriately by other methods.
(F) Enable the public to locate goods, services and facilities without excessive difficulty and confusion by restricting the number and placement of signs.
(G) Prevent placement of signs that will conceal or obscure signs of adjacent uses.
(H) Protect the public right to receive messages, such as religious, political, economic, social, philosophical and other types of information protects by the First Amendment of the U.S. Constitution.
(I) Prevent off-premises signs from conflicting with land uses.
(J) Maintain and improve the image of the township by encouraging signs of consistent size that are compatible with and complementary to related buildings and uses, and harmonious with their surroundings.
(K) Restrict the use of portable commercial signs for use only to announce a grand opening or a specific event in recognition of the significant negative impact on traffic safety and aesthetics caused by a proliferation or more frequent use of use signs.
(L) Where other more general provisions of this subchapter may conflict with the specific requirements of this subchapter, the requirements of this subchapter shall supersede the general requirements.
(Ord. 434, passed 7-10-2008)