The purpose of these sign regulations is to preserve, promote, and protect the public health, safety and welfare, to preserve and enhance the physical appearance of the village and to create an attractive economic and business climate by regulating outdoor signs of all types.
The main purpose of a sign is to help people find what they need without difficulty or confusion through the display of identification and information but not advertising. These regulations are established to prevent an overload of graphic message in the environment without restricting freedom of expression. They also aim to reduce advertising distractions to help businesses avoid the "canceling out" effect of adjacent signs.
These regulations establish standards for the erection, display, safety and maintenance of signs to encourage the general attractiveness of the community and to protect property values. They are intended to meet the following objectives:
A. Business Climate: It is recognized that signs are an economical and effective means of communicating information and are an important asset to most businesses. The continued health of business and economic activities shall be encouraged by the use of signs which:
1. Clearly and efficiently identify and classify the goods, services, facilities, and locations available to the community.
2. Express the identity of business activities or the proprietors associated with those activities.
3. Increase opportunities for planned developments to determine policies for private signage.
B. Effective Communication: A reasonable, orderly and effective display of signs is to be promoted by authorizing the use of signs, which are:
1. Legible in the circumstances in which they are viewed and in their surroundings.
2. Recognizable as a necessary means of visual communication for the convenience of the general public taken as a whole, as opposed to the convenience of any individual person.
3. Communicate an image or a message about a business or service.
C. Preservation Of Village Character: West Dundee has a unique character and quality of style. Sign control is part of a broader program of comprehensive planning, scenic roadway enhancement, historic preservation, planned development, and property maintenance. Therefore, signs should:
1. Promote a cohesive and aesthetic environment to promote the character of the village as a whole.
2. Minimize the blighting influences of visual clutter, decay, and neglect.
3. Protect the value and integrity of architectural resources and preserve the character of the buildings and sites to which signs principally relate. (Ord. 14-02, 1-20-2014)