(A) Purpose. The purpose and intent of this chapter is to establish comprehensive regulations for the control of graphics and signs in order to preserve protect and promote the public health, safety, and welfare; to eliminate pedestrian and vehicular traffic hazards; and to enhance the economic vitality and appeal of this community. More specifically, this chapter is intended to achieve the following objectives:
(1) To authorize the use of graphics which are:
(a) Compatible with their surroundings and the zoning district in which they are located;
(b) Expressive of the image this municipality is striving to encourage;
(c) Appropriate to the type of establishment or activity to which they pertain; and
(d) Legible in the circumstance in which they are seen;
(2) To promote an attractive urban environment that will enhance the city's economic potential by promoting the reasonable, orderly and effective display of graphics;
(3) To protect and improve the appearance and orderliness of major traffic ways and views therefrom, reducing traffic hazards, and enhancing the image of Troy derived by residents, businesspersons, commuters and visitors;
(4) To enhance the physical appearance of the city by preserving the scenic and natural beauty of the area;
(5) To encourage graphics which are in scale and harmony with surrounding uses, which are visually subordinate to the on-site and nearby buildings, which themselves are well-designed, and which have good spacing and design relationships to other graphics;
(6) To preserve the value of private property by assuring the compatibility of graphics with surrounding land uses;
(7) To protect the physical and mental well-being of the general public by recognizing and encouraging a sense of appreciation for the visual environment; and
(8) To protect the health, safety and welfare of the people.
(B) Applicability. This chapter shall apply to all property within the corporate limits of the city, except for the areas within 660 feet of the nearest edge of the right-of-way of federal interstate highways, which are regulated by the State Highway Advertising Control Act, ILCS Ch. 225, Act 440, §§ 1 through 16 and as it may hereafter be amended. For purposes of clarification, primary highways are not exempted from regulation under this chapter, even though the State Highway Advertising Control Act also regulates advertising adjacent to such highways.
(C) Interpretation. Every provision of this chapter shall be construed liberally in favor of the city and every requirement imposed herein shall be deemed minimal. Whenever the requirements of this chapter differ from the requirements of any other lawfully-adopted ordinance or regulation, the more stringent requirement shall prevail.
(Ord. 2014-02, passed 1-21-2014; Ord. 2016-05, passed 3-21-2016)