§ 64-32. Responsibilities and process of sign review and approval of the zoning administrator, plan commission, village board and building inspector authority and process of sign review and approval.  


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  • The responsibilities and process of sign review and approval shall be as follows:

    (a)

    Zoning administrator action. The zoning administrator shall accept all applications for sign permits and review the applications for zoning compliance in accordance with all applicable regulations and standards of this chapter 64 and shall issue an opinion of compliance as listed below. Furthermore, the zoning administrator shall be responsible for all sign administration and enforcement as stated in this chapter 64.

    (1)

    For any permanent sign permit application on a property 3.0 acres or less in size or any wall or projecting sign for a business within a multi-tenant property 3.01 acres or more in size, the Zoning Administrator shall have the authority to approve, approve with conditions, or deny the application. An application approved or approved with conditions shall be forwarded to the building inspector for structural and/or electrical review. When an application is denied, the reasons for the denial shall be forwarded to the applicant.

    (2)

    For any permanent sign permit application on a property 3.0 acres or less in size or for any multi-tenant wall sign or projecting sign on a property over 3.01 acres in size, after zoning administrator determination of approval, approval with conditions, or denial, the applicant may request plan commission review.

    (3)

    For any permanent sign permit application on a property 3.0 acres or less in size or any other sign under review by the zoning administrator, the zoning administrator may request review by the plan commission in matters where the sign or signs are integral to the building and/or development design, integral to the orderly development of the village, or recommended for consideration of a special exception.

    (4)

    For any temporary or quasi-permanent signs requiring a permit, the zoning administrator shall have the authority for approval, approval with conditions, or denial.

    (5)

    When a sign permit application is forwarded to the plan commission or village board or any reason, the zoning administrator shall provide a recommendation.

    (b)

    Plan commission action. When plan commission sign application review is required or requested in accordance with the list below, the plan commission shall review the permit application for compliance with all applicable regulations and standards of this chapter 64, and compliance with the purpose and intent of this chapter 64 pursuant to section 64-2. The plan commission may approve, approve with conditions or deny any sign application. Plan commission action on any application for a sign permit shall be duly noted in meeting minutes and shall be considered final, except for signs included within approval of a planned unit development by the village board. The plan commission may take separate action on each sign within an application for multiple signs. Any final action of the plan commission regarding signs may be appealed by any person to the board of zoning and building appeals as provided for in chapter 100.

    (1)

    The plan commission shall review and take action on any permanent sign application on properties 3.01 acres or larger; except for individual wall or projecting signs on a multi-tenant property.

    (2)

    An applicant for a sign permit may request plan commission reconsideration of any action of the zoning administrator. The request shall be made in writing to the village clerk.

    (3)

    The zoning administrator may refer action of any application for a sign permit to the plan commission, as stated in section 64-32(a)(3).

    (4)

    An applicant for a sign permit may request plan commission consideration for a special exception, in writing on forms provided by the village.

    (5)

    The plan commission may consider any application for a sign permit during consideration of site plan or architectural plan review of a building or development on which the sign or signs are proposed, if the proper plans for the sign or signs have been submitted in accordance with this chapter 64.

    (6)

    The plan commission may consider signs as part of a planned unit development approval as provided for within chapter 100 if the proper plans for the signs have been submitted in accordance with this chapter 64. The plan commission shall forward a recommendation to the village board for any signs as part of a planned unit development approval.

    (7)

    The zoning administrator or potential sign permit applicant may request an advisory opinion from the plan commission for any sign review or special exception prior to formal submittal of the application. The advisory opinion is only general discussion by the plan commission, and no vote is taken.

    (c)

    Timeframe for plan commission action. All sign referrals for plan commission consideration shall be forwarded to the next scheduled plan commission meeting. Supporting documentation and plans for the signs shall be submitted to the village clerk not less than the fifth village business day prior to the day of the plan commission meeting. A request for a special exception or a sign request included with another plan commission action shall adhere to the timeframe requirement as stated in chapter 100.

    (d)

    Village board action. The village board shall approve, approve with conditions or deny any signs submitted as part of a planned unit development after recommendation from the plan commission. The village board shall review any sign included with a planned unit development application for compliance with all applicable regulations and standards of this chapter 64, compliance with the purpose and intent of this chapter 64 pursuant to section 64-2, and compliance with the criteria for approval of a planned unit development pursuant to chapter 100. Village board action on any application for a sign permit shall be duly noted in meeting minutes and shall be considered final. The village board may take separate action on each sign within an application for multiple signs.

    (e)

    Resubmitted sign applications. Any signs denied by the plan commission or village board shall not be resubmitted for consideration within six months of the date of action to deny, unless in the opinion of the zoning administrator the sign application has been significantly modified to conform to the applicable regulations and standards of this chapter 64 and the purpose and intent statement of section 64-2.

    (f)

    Professional assistance. At any time during the review process of a sign permit application, the zoning administrator, plan commission or village board may request the assistance of the village planner, village engineer, village attorney or any other professional for review and recommendation of the application. The fees for professional assistance shall be the responsibility of the applicant, as required by Village Municipal Code.

(Ord. No. 854, § III, 12-20-11)