In addition to ensuring compliance with the numerical standards of these regulations, the approval process shall consider the proposed sign according to the following standards:
(a) Illumination. Signs shall be permitted to be illuminated in compliance with the following:
A. Only direct lighting from an external source shall be used to illuminate the sign.
B. The source of light shall not be visible from the street or adjacent property.
C. No variances to this Section 1165.08(a)(l) shall be sought or granted.
(Ord. 09-111. Passed 4-16-09.)
(Ord. 09-111. Passed 4-16-09.)
(2) Internal Illumination:
A. Internal illumination of signs is permitted for uses in all nonresidential districts provided that only reverse pan channel, or halo lighted letters, characters or graphics are permitted, except for Electronic Reader Boards, which will be limited to messages changed by glow cubes, light emitting diodes, cathode ray tubes, fluorescent discharge, or other similar technology approved by the Zoning Inspector.
B. Internally illuminated cabinets are permitted provided such cabinets shall consist of a solid opaque background with “knock-out” areas for copy, graphics and embellishments.
(3) Except for Electronic Reader Boards, signs shall not include animated, flashing, moving, or intermittent illumination in which any part of the message changes at a rate of more than once per day.
(4) Electronic Reader Boards shall not be illuminated by flashing, intermittent, or moving lights and no Electronic Reader Board may include any illumination which is flashing or intermittent.
(5) Light shall not be from a colored light source.
(6) No temporary sign shall be illuminated or have the potential to be illuminated.
(Ord. 13-103. Passed 4-4-13.)
(Ord. 13-103. Passed 4-4-13.)
(b) Construction Standards.
(1) The construction, erection, safety and maintenance of signs shall comply with Part Thirteen - the Building Code.
(2) Signs shall be structurally sound and located so as to pose no threat to pedestrian or vehicular traffic.
(3) Permanent signs shall be constructed and erected to withstand wind pressures of at least (30) pounds per square foot of surface, and shall be fastened, suspended or supported so that they will not be a menace to persons or property.
(4) Permanent signs shall be fabricated on and of materials that are of good quality and good durability.
(5) No sign shall be erected so as to project over and obstruct any window, door, fire escape, balcony, platform, stairway, ladder, vent or other means of ingress of any building.
(6) No sign shall be attached to a utility pole, tree, trash receptacle, bench or other structure not intended or approved as a sign support.
(7) Temporary signs shall be durable and weather-resistant and fastened or anchored sufficiently, whether attached to the building or positioned in the ground.
(8) No sign regulated by any of the provisions of this Chapter shall be erected in the right-of-way, in proximity to railroad crossings, or at the intersection of any streets in such a manner as to obstruct free and clear vision; or at any location where, by reason of the position, shape, or color, it may interfere with, obstruct the view of, or be confused with, any authorized traffic sign or device as defined in the Manual of Uniform Traffic Control Devices; or which makes use of the words “STOP," "LOOK," "DANGER," or any other word, phrase, symbol or character in such a manner as to interfere with, mislead, or confuse traffic.
(9) No temporary sign shall have moveable lettering or lettering capable of being moved or replaced.
(c) Maintenance. All signs shall be maintained in accordance with the following:
(1) The property owner, occupant, or other person responsible for the sign shall maintain the sign in a condition fit for the intended use and he or she shall have a continuing obligation to comply with all building code requirements and the requirements of this Chapter.
(2) If the Zoning Inspector finds that any sign is unsafe, insecure, a menace to the public; or constructed, erected, or maintained in violation of the provisions of this Code, notice shall be given in writing by the Zoning Inspector to the property owner, occupant, or other person responsible for the sign. The property owner, occupant, or other person responsible for the sign shall, within forty-eight (48) hours of such notification, correct such unsafe condition or remove the sign. If the correction has not been made within the forty-eight (48) hours, the sign may be removed or altered by the Village to comply with these regulations at the expense of the property owner, occupant, or other person responsible for the sign. The Village Administrator may cause any sign, which, in the Village Administrator's opinion, creates an immediate danger to persons or property to be removed immediately and without prior notice.
(3) Whenever any sign, either conforming or nonconforming to these regulations, is required to be removed for the purpose of repair, refurbishing, or repainting, the same may be done without a Zoning permit or any payment of fees provided that all of the following conditions are met:
A. There shall be no alteration or remodeling to the sign base, sign support(s) or the mounting of the sign itself.
B. There shall be no change in location or in any of the dimensions of the sign or its structure.
C. The sign shall be an accessory to a legally permitted, conditional or nonconforming use.
(4) The Zoning Inspector may order any sign to be painted or refurbished whenever needed to keep the sign in a neat and safe condition. All supports, guys, braces and anchors for such signs shall be maintained in a safe condition, and it shall be unlawful for the owners or person having charge of such sign not to remove the same after notice from the Zoning Inspector.
(5) Any permanent sign which advertises a business no longer conducted on the premises or fails to serve the purposes for which it was intended, or evidences a lack of maintenance, shall be removed by the owner, agent, or person having the beneficial use of the building, structure or land upon which such sign is located, within thirty (30) days after written notice by the Zoning Inspector. A party served with such notice shall have the right to appeal the Zoning Inspector's order by filing a notice or appeal with the Zoning Board of Appeals within thirty (30) days of receipt of the notice. Upon failure to file a timely notice of appeal and failure to comply with such notice within the time specified in such order, the Village Administrator is hereby authorized to cause removal of such sign, and any expense incident thereto shall be paid by the owner of the property on which the sign is located.
(6) If a sign, its letters or its message are designed and approved by a Village issued permit to be internally illuminated and the sign or any of its letters or messages are only partially lit, all illumination of the sign shall be discontinued until the sign is repaired and properly illuminated as it was designed and approved in the permit for the sign.
(Ord. 09-111. Passed 4-16-09.)