(A) Nonconforming signs lawfully erected prior to adoption of this chapter which do not meet the standards of this chapter may be continued if properly repaired and maintained as provided in this chapter and continue to be in conformance with other village ordinances.
(B) A nonconforming sign may not be:
(1) Changed to another nonconforming sign;
(2) Structurally altered as to prolong the life of the sign;
(3) Expanded;
(4) Subsequently re-established or replaced after its having been removed for 90 days or more;
(5) Re-established after damage or destruction, if the estimated expense of reconstruction exceeds 50% of the appraised replacement cost at the time of the damage or destruction;
(6) Routinely maintained where the cost of the repair or maintenance is 5% of the current replacement costs for any period of 12 months. However, nothing in this section shall be deemed to prevent the strengthening or restoring to a safe condition of any sign or part thereof declared to be unsafe by any official charged with protecting the public safety; or
(7) Relocated, unless relocation brings the sign into conformance with all the requirements of this chapter, except that where a nonconforming sign is located within a right-of-way taken or acquired by a public body for street improvement purposes, then the relocation of such a sign is permitted.
(C) All permanent nonconforming signs shall be removed or brought into conformity with this chapter by January 1, 2009 (approximately ten years of the effective date of the ordinance). The owner of a nonconforming sign may request approval for continuance as per division (D) below. All existing nonconforming temporary or portable signs shall be removed within 30 days of adoption of this chapter.
(D) The Zoning Board of Appeals after receiving the recommendation of the Plan and Zoning Commission shall have the power to grant a variance from the provisions of division (B) above, so as to permit change, alteration, re-establishment or more than routine maintenance of a nonconforming sign, where the change, alteration, re-establishment or maintenance shall not increase the size of the sign, make it radiate or reflect more light, or otherwise make it visually more objectionable. No variance granted by the Zoning Board of Appeals shall in any way postpone the time for removal of the nonconforming sign as provided in division (C) above beyond the time when the original sign, which was permitted to be changed, altered, reestablished or maintained hereunder, would have been required to be removed.
(Ord. passed 7-23-2002)