In order to facilitate legibility of sign copy, signs shall be of professional quality, designed in a manner compatible with the character and style of the buildings on which they are located, and the historic and aesthetic character of the village. Signs shall be structurally sound and located so as to pose no safety hazard.
(a) Style and color. A sign shall be generally consistent throughout the particular building and the color of the sign shall be compatible with the color of the building facade.
(b) Copy. Sign copy shall be large enough to be easily and safely read from the public right of way but shall not be overly large or out of scale with the building.
(c) Materials. Signs shall be fabricated on and of materials of good quality, good weathering and durability and complimentary to their building. Outdoor signs and display structures, including the supporting structure and all parts, shall be of noncombustible material when required by the village Building Code.
(d) Illumination.
(1) External. Direct rays from external light sources to illuminate signs shall be shielded from adjacent residential buildings and streets and shall not be of high intensity or of such brightness so as to cause glare hazardous to pedestrians or motorists or so as to cause reasonable objection from adjacent buildings. External illumination may be from the front or rear of the sign.
(2) Internal. Internal illumination may be permitted with signs in Business Districts and Industrial Districts provided the illumination shall not be of high intensity or of such brightness so as to cause glare hazardous to pedestrians or auto drivers or so as to cause reasonable objection from adjacent buildings.
(e) Electronic changeable sign copy. Where a portion of a sign contains electronic changeable sign copy such sign shall:
(1) Display only static messages that remain constant in illumination intensity.
(2) Be equipped with a fully operational light sensor that automatically adjusts the intensity of the sign face according to the amount of ambient light.
(3) Change from one message to another message no more frequently than once every five seconds and the actual change process shall be completed in ten seconds or less.
(4) Be designed to freeze the display in one static position, display a full black screen, or turn off in the event of a malfunction.
(f) Base/foundation. The base of all permanent ground signs shall be effectively maintained in good condition at all times. Exposed foundations must be constructed with a finished material such as brick, stone, or wood, or be screened with evergreens to the top of the anchor bolts.
(g) Substitution of noncommercial copy. Any sign that can be displayed under the provisions of this chapter may contain noncommercial copy; provided however that such sign shall be subject to the same permit requirements, restrictions on size and type, and other conditions and specifications that apply to the sign for which they are being substituted.
(Ord. 3108, passed 7-16-18)