(a) Notwithstanding any other provision of this chapter, signs shall be allowed for Special Civic Events in accordance with the provisions of this section.
(b) (1) As used in this section, "Special Civic Event" means a public event or series of events with a single theme sponsored by a nonprofit organization for the purpose of celebrating a historical or current event, the primary purpose of which is to promote the Municipality or provide a social gathering for entertainment of municipal residents, and which is not intended to earn a profit directly or indirectly for its sponsors.
(2) "Special Civic Event Sign Plan" means a proposal which shows all signs that are intended to be displayed on public or private property before or during the Special Civic Event.
(c) The sponsor of a Special Civic Event shall submit to the Administrative Director, at least thirty (30) days before any sign related to the event is proposed to be installed, a plan that shows all signs and banners to be used to advertise and promote the event as well as those to be used during or as part of the event. An amended plan may be submitted, but it shall be subject to all the provisions of this section. The plan shall contain:
(1) The date that each sign will be installed and removed.
(2) A general description of the sign, including size, materials of construction, location and content.
(3) The name and address of the individual responsible for the implementation of the sign plan.
(d) The Administrative Director shall present the plan to Council at its next regular meeting or at a special meeting called for this purpose, provided that the sponsor of the event pays the costs of any such special meeting.
Council shall by a majority vote approve, approve with modifications or deny the sign plan. The approval of a sign plan by Council as presented or as modified shall constitute a temporary sign permit and no further authority shall be required to install the signs as approved in the plan. No fee shall be charged for the approval of the plan.
(e) In determining whether to approve, modify or deny a sign plan for a special Civic Event, Council shall consider the following factors:
(1) The extent to which the signs may interfere with traffic control signs or devices or pose a danger to pedestrian or motor vehicle traffic.
(2) The needs of the sponsor of the Special Civic Event to promote its activities by the use of signs.
(3) The effect upon the overall appearance of the Municipality which the proposed signs will cause.
(4) The interest of residents and businesses in having their signs otherwise permitted under this chapter to be effective.
(5) The effect upon the character and dignity of public buildings, parks, streets and other public property.
(f) Nothing in this section shall prohibit the plan as approved by Council from permitting signs to be placed on public rights-of-way or other public property or from limiting signs or banners to certain districts or locations within the Municipality.
(g) The plan shall contain a timetable for the removal of all signs which shall not be longer than forty-eight (48) hours after the event has been completed.
Any signs installed that are not in conformity with the provisions of the plan shall be deemed a public nuisance and may be summarily removed by the Zoning Inspector or his designated assistant without notice.
(h) Street Banners. The Council of the Village of Lexington will review and approve the placement of street banners on public lamp posts within the Central Business District. The purpose of these banners must be to advertise a civic or charitable event or organization or to benefit the community as a whole. The maximum period of display for any such banners shall be thirty (30) days during any calendar year. Banners shall not contain any advertising message for, or be sponsored by, any alcohol or tobacco products, and may not contain any obscene or offensive graphics, logos, or language. All banners shall become the property of the Village of Lexington, and they may only be erected or removed by Village employees.
(Ord. 07-32. Passed 7-2-07.)
DISTRICT REGULATIONS