(a) Signs obstruct views, distract motorists, displace alternative uses for land, and pose other problems that legitimately call for regulation. The purpose of this article is to regulate the size, color, illumination, movement, materials, location, height, and condition of all signs placed on private property for exterior observation, thus ensuring the protection of property values; preservation of the character of the various neighborhoods; creation of a convenient, attractive, and harmonious community; protection against destruction of or encroachment upon historic areas; and the safety and welfare of pedestrians and wheeled traffic, while providing convenience to citizens and encouraging economic development. This article allows adequate communication through signage while encouraging aesthetic quality in the design, location, and size of all signs. This article shall be interpreted in a manner consistent with the First Amendment guarantee of free speech. If any provision of this article is found by a court of competent jurisdiction to be invalid, such finding shall not affect the validity of other provisions of this article which can be given effect without the invalid provision.
(b) Signs not expressly permitted as being allowed by right or by conditional use permit under this article, by specific requirements in another portion of this ordinance, or otherwise expressly allowed by the Town Council or Board of Zoning Appeals are forbidden.
(c) These regulations are intended to promote signs that are compatible with the use of the property to which they are appurtenant and the landscape and architecture of surrounding buildings, and to ensure that signs are legible and appropriate to the activity to which they pertain, are not distracting to motorists, and are constructed and maintained in a structurally sound and attractive condition.
(d) These regulations distinguish between portions of the Town designed for primarily vehicular access and portions of the Town designed for primarily pedestrian access.
(e) These regulations do not regulate every form and instance of visual speech that may be displayed anywhere within the jurisdictional limits of the Town. Rather, they are intended to regulate those forms and instances that are most likely to meaningfully affect one or more of the purposes set forth above.
(f) These regulations do not entirely eliminate all of the harms that may be created by the installation and display of signs. Rather, they strike an appropriate balance that preserves ample channels of communication by means of visual display while still reducing and mitigating the extent of the harms caused by signs.
(Passed 7-7-22.)