(a) Applicants may seek a sign variance, or appeal a denial of a sign permit, a denial of an erector license, finding of removal of a sign as unsafe, abandoned or non-conforming, or a fee dispute, with the Planning Commission within 10 days of notice of an adverse determination on these matters.
(b) The Planning Commission shall notify the applicant of a time, date and place to hear the appeal or variance within 10 days of receiving the request for variance or appeal. The Planning Commission shall meet to hear the matter within 30 days of applicant’s request or appeal.
(c) The Planning Commission is authorized to grant variances from these regulations if a literal application of this chapter would cause undue hardship. Those seeking a variance should keep in mind the purpose of this Chapter. Information on, but not limited to, the following factors may be presented and considered in this determination:
(1) The extent to which the variance may impair vehicular or pedestrian traffic by distracting attention from traffic control signals;
(2) The extent to which the variance may interfere with ingress or egress including sight distances that could result in an unsafe condition;
(3) The extent to which any variance may interfere with public utility poles, wires, or other facilities or traffic control devices; and
(4) The extent to which the variance may detract from the purpose of this chapter, including an unwanted proliferation of signs or the existence of unsafe signs.
(d) Determinations of the Planning Commission may be appealed to the courts in accordance with applicable law, Chapter 2506 of the Ohio Revised Code.
(Ord. 08-18. Passed 5-15-08.)