It is the purpose of this subchapter entitled “Sign Regulations” to promote the public health, safety, and general welfare through reasonable, consistent, and non-discriminatory sign standards. This subchapter is not intended to censor speech or to regulate viewpoints, but instead is intended to regulate, in a content-neutral manner, any secondary effects of speech that may adversely affect aesthetics and traffic and pedestrian safety. The purpose of this subchapter is to:
(A) Encourage the effective use of signs as a means of communication in the Town;
(B) Maintain and enhance the aesthetic environment and the Town’s ability to attract sources of economic development and growth;
(C) Improve pedestrian and traffic safety;
(D) Minimize the possible adverse effect of signs on nearby public and private property;
(E) Foster the integration of signage with architectural and landscape designs;
(F) Allow signs that are compatible with their surroundings and that aid orientation, while precluding the placement of signs that contribute to sign clutter or that conceal or obstruct adjacent land uses or signs;
(G) Regulate signs in a manner so as to prevent the interference with, the obstruction of the vision of, and/or the distraction of motorists, bicyclists, and/or pedestrians;
(H) Allow for traffic control devices to promote highway safety and efficiency by providing for the orderly movement of road users on streets and highways, and to notify road users of regulations and provide warning and guidance needed for the safe, uniform, and efficient operation of all elements of the traffic stream;
(I) Protect property values by precluding sign types that create a nuisance to the occupancy or use of other properties as a result of their size, height, illumination, brightness, or movement;
(J) Protect property values by ensuring that the types and numbers of signs are in harmony with buildings, neighborhoods, and conforming signs in the area;
(K) Preserve and enhance the historic character of the Town; and
(L) Enable the fair and consistent enforcement of these sign regulations.
(Ord. 2010-01, passed 8-23-10; Am. Ord. 2012-15, passed 9-24-12; Am. Ord. 2013-01, passed 1-13-14)