Variations shall be granted only on evidence that signage cannot be reasonably installed as provided in this article due to the unique physical characteristics of the property, its surroundings, and/or the nature of the sign itself.
A. Minor Variation: An application for variation of the regulations of this Article will be reviewed by the Planning and Zoning Commission within the following standards:
1. Area: A variation may be allowed in an amount not to exceed twenty percent (20%) of the sign surface area otherwise allowable under these regulations.
2. Height: A variation may be allowed in an amount not to exceed four and one-half feet (4-1/2') higher than the height otherwise allowable under these regulations.
3. Action by the Planning and Zoning Commission and Board of Trustees:
a. The Planning and Zoning Commission shall consider the application within thirty (30) days of receipt of the application.
b. After consideration of the application, the Planning and Zoning Commission shall forward to the Board of Trustees its recommendation in writing that the application by approved, approved with conditions, or disapproved.
c. The application shall then be approved, approved with conditions, or disapproved by the Board of Trustees.
d. If the application is approved or approved with conditions, Board of Trustees shall instruct the zoning administrator to issue a variation permit, listing any specific conditions specified by the Board. If the application is disapproved, the Board shall instruct the zoning administrator to provide the applicant with written notification of the Board's decision.
B. General Variation: For any sign which would be nonconforming by virtue of its location or any other characteristics, a variation may be allowed when the Planning and Zoning Commission finds that the applicant has demonstrated either: 1) that unique physical surroundings, shape, or topographical conditions of the specific property involved would bring a particular hardship on the owner, or 2) that no other reasonable alternatives exist which would conform to this article and in either case 3) that the public good realized would be greater than that achieved should the strict letter of the regulations otherwise be carried out.
1. Action by the Planning and Zoning Commission:
a. The Planning and Zoning Commission shall consider the application within thirty (30) days of receipt of the application.
b. After consideration of the application, the Planning and Zoning Commission shall make a recommendation to the board of trustees, for approval, approval with conditions, or denial of any application for variation.
2. Action by The Board Of Trustees: The board of trustees shall review the recommendation of the Planning and Zoning Commission, and then approve, approve with conditions, or deny such application.
C. Special Graphics Area: A special graphics area may be created to provide the opportunity for a creative approach to community graphics within a separately defined area or portion of the village, which community graphics may not conform to all the conditions set forth in this article. The design features, dimensions, and locations of the community graphics proposed for a special graphics area shall be specified in an application for creation of a special graphics area filed with and to be approved by the village.
1. Requirements:
a. An applicant for a special graphics area shall submit architectural plans and drawings with his application which illustrate all graphics proposed to be created in the area, and which specify the design features, dimensions and locations of all proposed graphics for the area.
b. Any graphics proposed for the special graphics area shall meet the requirements of section 6-12-1 of this article, even if other requirements of this article will not be met.
2. Action by The Planning and Zoning Commission: The Planning and Zoning Commission shall make a recommendation to the board of trustees, accompanied by written findings of fact, for approval, approval with conditions, or denial of any application for creation of a special graphics district.
3. Action by The Board Of Trustees: The board of trustees shall review the recommendation of the Planning and Zoning Commission, and then approve, approve with conditions, or deny any such application.
D. Amendment Of Special Graphics Area: The limits of any special graphics area, or the graphics proposed therein, may be modified or amended, but only after compliance with the procedures set out in subsection C of this section. (Ord. 08-27, 6-12-2008; amd. Ord. 21-15, 4-15-2021)