The chapter creates the legal framework for signage regulations that is intended to facilitate an easy and agreeable communication between people. It recognizes the need to protect the safety and welfare of the public, the need for well maintained and attractive appearance in a community, and the need for adequate business identification and advertising and communication. This chapter recognizes that aesthetics and design quality cannot be satisfactorily legislated, as individual opinions vary and general public opinions vary from one era to another. It is recognized, however, that a great percentage of that which is unattractive can be eliminated by sensible quality control, through adequate maintenance and inspection and by reasonable guidelines formulated to minimize clutter.
(A) This chapter completely attempts to prevent the unsightly clutter apparent in photograph (1). See the triangulation formula in § 157.044.
(B) Tastefully proportioned and well spaced projecting signs are permitted. See the triangulation formula in § 157.044.
(C) This chapter authorizes the use of signs visible from public rights-of-way provided the signs are:
(1) Compatible with their surroundings, pursuant to the objectives of proper design and zoning amenities;
(2) Allowing and promoting optimum conditions for meeting the sign user's needs while at the same time promoting the amenable environment desired by the general public;
(3) Designed, constructed, installed, and maintained in such a manner that they do not endanger public safety or traffic safety;
(4) Legible, readable, and visible in the circumstances in which they are used;
(5) Respectful of the reasonable rights of other advertisers whose messages are displayed.
(D) The cluttered and overworded wall or facia sign, shown in photograph (3) is prohibited.
(E) This chapter does not cause
patch-like effect of the sign shown in photograph (4) as is often the case when facia or wall sign area is restricted by formula.
(F) The copy area and bonusing formula given in § 157.043 substantially encourages comprehensive store front improving facia or wall sign installations with tastefully limited lettering copy, as shown in photograph (5).
(G) Unsightly roof sign installations such as that shown in photograph (6) are totally prohibited.
(H) Architecturally harmonious signs such as that of photograph (7) are permitted in certain zones. They are in fact treated as wall signs.
(I) Specif ic details of antiflashin g legislation should be carefully studied by each individual community in consultation with dependable sign manufacturers, as blanket prohibition has more than one disadvantage. There is no question that certain carnival type, attention-compelling, jerky devices are both totally outdated and undesirable in most areas. In cities in certain areas, however, fascinating and artistic changing or rippling effects are quite suitable and actually are enjoyed by most people.
(J) Unfortunately it is impractical to stipulate in a general code which types of zoning should or should not permit such effects. For example, signs adjacent to an elevated highway in a specific zone might, in one city, impinge on or partially obscure a beautiful horizon, while in another more heavily industrialized city with the same type of highway, they might be a vast improvement and a visual relief amongst ugly factories and chimneys. One must always recognize as well that signs as a communications device require certain letter sizes for legibility at any given distance, and that in many cases this necessary letter size may be accomplished with a much smaller sign background by alternating messages. These alternations are actually accomplished by an electrical device known as a flasher.
(K) The outdated and garish flashing sign shown in photograph (8) is prohibited with the possible exception of special sign zones which may be created for unusual or ethnic groupings.
(L) It is apparent, therefore, that as the difference between irritating and undesirable flashing devices, desirable alternating copy or even certain artistic effects may be only the difference in speed of change, certainly is often only the difference between clever and artistic design or something less, it becomes obvious that each community, together with leaders in the industry, must give the subject very careful study, considering the already existing visual environment, density ratios, and other considerations.
(M) Public service time and temperature, date, electronic message centers are classed as changing signs and are permitted as shown in photograph (9) above.
(N) When writing a uniform code, it becomes apparent that off-premise signage (third party posters and bulletins) is one of the subjects that cannot be specified in detail on a zone by zone basis, as a zone of any given category may appear in cities of vastly different size and may have a greatly different density ratio from one city to another. It is recommended that any given community in consultation with the outdoor advertising people study that which is presently permissible in their community and consider the use of the spacing formula suggested in § 157.042. At the same time, carefully recognizing that the very nature of the outdoor business requires as broad and even a coverage as possible and that the broader and more reasonable distribution permitted, more easily will all concerned be able to comply with spacing formula. This would avoid too heavy saturation in any given area often caused by a prohibition of the medium in certain zones where it should have been permitted. In most communities, therefore, off-premise or outdoor advertising may be considered and analyzed for all types of commercial and industrial zones, as well as certain holding zones, although obviously not for residential zones.
(O) This chapter is designed to prevent a vast majority of those things which are undesirable in commercial signage without hampering the inherent right of business to communicate reasonably, to advertise and to reasonably assist a potential customer to conveniently locate and identify any product, goods, service, or facility which he may desire to use or purchase at any given time.
(Ord. 81-0-8, passed 4-21-81) Penalty, see § 157.999