(1)

Purpose.

(a)

Regulate signs in a manner that does not create an impermissible conflict with constitutional, statutory, or administrative standards, or impose an undue financial burden on the people of Sauk County.

(b)

Provide for fair and consistent enforcement of sign regulations under the County zoning authority.

(c)

Improve the visual appearance of Sauk County while providing for effective means of communication and orientation, particularly in settings in which the need for communication and orientation is greater, consistent with the Sauk County Board findings that follow.

(d)

Maintain, enhance, and improve the aesthetic environment of Sauk County, including its scenic views and rural character consistent with the Sauk County Comprehensive Plan and Highway 12 Corridor Growth Management Plan and the purpose of each zoning district, by preventing visual clutter that is harmful to the appearance of the community, protecting vistas and other scenic views from degradation, and reducing and preventing commercialism in noncommercial areas.

(e)

Promote public health, safety, and welfare in Sauk County by regulating the number, location, size, type, illumination, and other physical characteristics of signs within Sauk County.

(2)

Findings.

(a)

Exterior signs have a substantial impact on the character and quality of the environment.

(b)

Signs provide an important communication medium.

(c)

Signs can create safety hazards that threaten public health, safety, and welfare. The threat increases when signs are structurally inadequate, confuse or distract drivers or pedestrians, or interfere with official directional or warning signs.

(d)

Signs can threaten public welfare by creating aesthetic concerns and harming property values. These threats increase when an accumulation of signs results in visual clutter and detract from the character of the area.

(e)

Sign related lighting can create public safety problems by excessively distracting drivers and causing unnecessary glare. Light pollution can detract from the natural environment and inhibit viewing night skies. This diminishes the enjoyment of night skies and impedes recreational and educational activities.

(f)

Signs serving certain other functions, such as directional signs, are necessary to enable visitors and residents to efficiently reach their destinations.

(g)

Sauk County's land use regulations have included the regulation of signs in an effort to foster adequate information and means of expression, and to promote economic viability of the community while protecting Sauk County and its citizens from a proliferation of signs of a type, size, and location that would adversely impact community or threaten health, safety, or the welfare of the community including threatening the rural character of the community, the robust tourist economy, and aesthetic considerations. The appropriate regulation of the physical characteristics of signs in Sauk County and other communities has had a positive impact on the safety and appearance of the community.