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1. Variances. It is recognized that circumstances may exist from time to time where strict application of the size, location and type of sign standards hereinafter specified for the various zoning districts may be unreasonable or where literal enforcement of the regulations may work an unnecessary hardship on the applicant. Variations from the standards are, therefore, permitted by issuance of a variance by the city council upon recommendation of the planning commission that such extenuating circumstances exist. Variances shall be considered according to the provisions of LEC 105.12.320. 2. Appeals. An applicant may appeal any decision of the planning community development director to the board of adjustment and appeals according to the provisions of LEC 3.08.100. o) Violations. 1. It shall be unlawful and a violation of this section for any person to maintain any prohibited sign, to perform or order the performance of any act prohibited by this section, or to fail to perform any act which is required by the provisions of this section. In the case of any such violation, each 24- hour period in which such violation exists shall constitute a separate violation. 2. Any and all signs, erected, altered, or maintained in violation of this section, or any of the clauses and provisions of the same, or in violation of any of the laws or ordinances of the city and/or the state, are, and each of them is declared to be, a public nuisance and subject to enforcement. Any such signs are erected, altered or maintained contrary to law shall be abated as a common nuisance by the planning community development director. p) Penalty. Any person who shall fail to comply with any of the provisions of this section shall be subject to a penalty as prescribed by LEC 1.04.230. q) Enforcement. 1. If the planning community development director or building official finds that any sign has been erected, altered, or is being maintained in violation of this section, or is in an unsafe condition as to be a menace to the safety, health, or welfare of the public, he they shall give written notice to the owner thereof of the person entitled to possession of the sign and the owner of the real estate upon which the sign is located. No notice shall be required for permitted temporary signs displayed in violation of time limitations prior to taking enforcement action. 2. Said letter shall notify the owner, or person entitled to possession of the sign, of the specific violation or violations and direct that alterations, repairs or removal, whichever may be applicable, be made to bring said violations in conformance with the terms and conditions of this section. 3. In the event the person so notified fails or neglects to comply with or conform to the requirements of such notice, the planning community development director or building official may file an appropriate citation or complaint in an appropriate court of law or take whatever other legal action may be necessary to cause such sign to be altered or removed. If a sign is considered abandoned, the city, after notice, may remove such sign at the cost of the owner of the property upon which the sign sits. An invoice for such costs shall be sent to the property owner and, if not paid, shall be placed on the tax roll as a special charge pursuant to M.S.A. § 429.061.certified to the county for collection with the property taxes. r) Severability. If any section subsection, sentence, clause, or phrase of this Section is for any reason held to be invalid, such decision shall not affect the validity of the remaining portions of this Section. The City Council hereby declares that it would have adopted this Section in each section, subsection, sentence, or phrase thereof, irrespective of the fact that any one or more sections, subsections, sentences, clauses, or phrases be declared invalid.