03-06-2023 Council Work Session Packet

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5 (3) Repairs. (a) All signs shall be maintained in good condition and the areas around them kept free from debris, bushes, high weeds, and from anything else that would be an eyesore or nuisance. All signs must be maintained to prevent the sign from becoming unkempt in appearance. When any ground sign is removed, the entire surrounding area shall be cleared of all debris and unsightly projections and protrusions. (b) Any sign located in the city that may now be or hereafter becomes out of order, rotten, or unsafe and every sign that shall hereafter be erected, altered, resurfaced, reconstructed, or moved contrary to the provisions of this sign chapter, shall be removed or otherwise properly secured in accordance with the terms of this sign chapter by the owners of the sign or by the owners of the property on which the sign is located, upon receipt of notice from the city to do so. No rotten or other unsafe sign shall be repaired or rebuilt except in accordance with the provisions of this sign chapter and upon proper permit issued by the issuing authority. (4) Removal. In the event of the failure of the owner or person or entity having control of any sign or the owner of the property on which the sign is located to remove or repair the sign within 60 days after the use is terminated, a notice shall be given and the sign may be removed by the city at the expense of the owner or manager of the sign or the owner of the property upon which the sign stands. (5) Violations. Any violation of this chapter shall constitute a misdemeanor. Each day of the violation shall constitute a separate offense. § 1010.004 NON-CONFORMING SIGNS (1) Nonconforming signs. The city recognizes that signs exist within the zoning districts that were lawful before this sign chapter was enacted, which would be prohibited, regulated or restricted under the terms of this chapter or future amendments. It is the intention of this sign chapter that nonconforming signs shall be allowed to continue to exist, but they shall not be enlarged upon, expanded or extended, nor be used as the grounds for adding other signs or uses prohibited elsewhere in the same district. It is further the intent of this sign chapter to permit legal nonconforming signs existing on the effective date of this sign chapter, or amendments thereto, to continue as legal nonconforming signs provided the signs are safe, are maintained so as not to be unsightly, and have not been abandoned or removed subject to the following provisions: (a) No sign shall be enlarged or altered in a way that increases its nonconformity; (b) Should the sign or sign structure be destroyed by any means to an extent greater than 50 percent of its replacement cost and no building permit has been applied for within 180 days of when the property was damaged, it shall not be reconstructed except in conformity with the provisions of this chapter; (c) Should the sign or sign structure be moved for any reason for any distance whatsoever, it shall thereafter conform to the regulations for the zoning district in which it is located after it is moved;