A.

Sign prohibitions and limitations.

(1)

No sign shall be erected at any location where it may, by reason of its position, shape, color, or design, interfere with, obstruct the view of, or be confused with any traffic sign, signal, or device.

(2)

No sign shall be erected, relocated, or maintained so as to prevent free ingress to or egress from any door, window, fire lane, or fire escape, and no sign shall be attached to a standpipe or fire escape.

(3)

No sign shall be erected that violates the visibility and clearance requirements of subsection 520-87.K.

(4)

No inflatable, fluttering, undulating, swinging, rotating, or otherwise moving signs, pennants, feather flags, feather banners, or other moving decorations shall be permitted.

(5)

No sign other than a regulatory or government information sign shall be permitted within or extend into a public right-of-way, except where otherwise specifically allowed in this article.

(6)

No on-building sign shall cover windows, doorways, or other architectural elements.

(7)

No sign shall be mounted or displayed on, or extend above the top edge of, a roof or extend above the topmost edge of an exterior wall or parapet.

(8)

No advertising vehicle signs, as defined in section 520-102, shall be permitted within or extend into a public right-of-way.

B.

Sign location requirements.

(1)

Minimum setback. Except for signs that are allowed in the public right-of-way, and as otherwise indicated in this article, the minimum permitted setback for all signs shall be three feet from the property line.

(2)

Minimum ground clearance. All pylon signs, projecting, marquee, and awning signs shall have a minimum clearance from grade of eight feet to the bottom of the sign and shall not project into any vehicle circulation area, beyond a public street curbline or beyond any public street pavement edge if no curb is present.

(3)

Minimum spacing between freestanding signs. No permanent freestanding signs shall be placed any closer than 100 feet from another permanent freestanding sign, except where lot sizes, lot frontages, or other condition beyond the reasonable control of the applicant prevent such spacing in the determination of the zoning administrator.

C.

Community information signs.

(1)

May be located on public property or rights-of-way if approved by the zoning administrator.

(2)

May have changeable copy.

(3)

Shall conform to the visibility requirements of this article and of subsection 520-87.K.

(4)

Shall not be counted as adding to the area of signage on the property on which it is placed for the purposes of regulating sign area.

(5)

Shall not exceed 16 square feet in sign area per destination, up to a maximum of 32 square feet if two or more businesses or other destinations are included on the same sign or if the sign is placed in public parkland (such as on an outfield fence).

(6)

Shall not exceed ten feet in height, except where the sign is installed by a unit of government.

(7)

May be subject to restrictions on lighting, color, duration of placement (e.g., seasonal limitations) as part of sign permit approval.

D.

Variable message signs (VMS).

(1)

Allowable districts and land uses. No VMS shall be allowed within any agricultural, rural, open space, or residential district, or for any residential use regardless of district.

(2)

Length of cycle. Messages and nontext images shall not change appearance more than once every ten seconds, and transitions between messages shall be via instantaneous change. Use of variable message signs for images, text, or lighting that change appearance in a manner not permitted above shall be considered prohibited flashing or animated signs. No scrolling messages are permitted.

(3)

Brightness adjustment. All VMS shall be equipped with photosensitive equipment that automatically adjusts the brightness and contrast of the sign in direct relation to the ambient outdoor illumination. Light output shall not exceed that allowed under section 520-90.

(4)

Dimensions. The illuminated or message display area of the VMS is subject to the same height and area requirements as other on-premises business signs in the zoning district. All variable message signs shall be included in the calculation of total permitted sign area for the type of on-premises business sign and the zoning district in which the sign is located.

(5)

Maintenance. Each VMS shall be maintained so as to be able to display messages in a complete and legible manner.

E.

Window signs.

(1)

Installation. Window signs shall be confined within the transparent area of the window and shall not encroach upon the frame, mullions, or other supporting features of the glass. All permanent window signs that have their lettering or graphic elements directly on the surface of the glass shall be painted, metal-leafed, vinyl-transferred, or in some other manner permanently applied to the exterior building window or door.

(2)

Area and quantity. Window signage shall be allowed without restriction on quantity or coverage, provided that they do not interfere with other state and federal code requirements or public health, safety, or welfare.

F.

Sandwich board/pedestal signs.

(1)

There shall be a maximum of two sandwich board/pedestal signs per business. Additional signs may be permitted with site plan approval.

(2)

Height shall not exceed six feet (as measured when such sign is properly placed directly on the ground or sidewalk surface), width shall not exceed three feet, and sign area shall not exceed six square feet per side.

(3)

All sandwich board/pedestal signs shall be designed to be self-supporting and in such a manner to withstand the elements, including the ability to remain upright on windy days.

(4)

Sign setback shall be the shortest distance between the vertical plane extending from the property line (or other specified basis for the setback point) to the nearest structural element of the sign, whether said sign element is attached to the ground or suspended above the ground. Placement of all sandwich board/pedestal signs shall meet all vision clearance requirements in the subsection 520-87.K and shall otherwise not impede traffic visibility in the determination of the zoning administrator.

(5)

All sandwich board/pedestal signs must be kept in good condition, as determined by the zoning administrator and per the maintenance requirements of section 520-109.

(6)

Sandwich board/pedestal signs shall not count against the maximum area or number of business signs allowed per section 520-106.

G.

On-premises parking area signs.

(1)

Shall be limited to one sign for each vehicular entrance/exit to a public street and one parking sign for each parking area.

(2)

Shall not exceed 12 square feet each, and shall be set back from all property lines at least three feet.

H.

Off-premises advertising signs.

(1)

Such signs:

(a)

Shall only include directions to the business or activity location and the minimum amount of information to properly identify the business or activity.

(b)

Shall not exceed 16 square feet in total sign area per business, up to 32 square feet if two or more businesses are included on the same sign.

(c)

Shall not exceed ten feet in height, except where attached to a building.

(d)

Not more than one such sign allowed per business.

(e)

Shall be spaced at least 100 feet from any other freestanding sign requiring a sign permit under this article.

(f)

Shall not be counted as adding to the area of signage on the property on which it is placed for the purposes of regulating on-premises sign area.

(g)

Shall not be located within any residential or RR zoning district.

(h)

May not be located on public property or within public rights-of-way, except with the prior approval of the zoning administrator.

(2)

No other off-premises advertising sign (including billboards), or structure supporting such sign, shall be permitted to be installed or expanded in area or number of signs after the effective date of this chapter, unless approved by the unanimous consent of the village board. As of that date, the village had 29 billboards along Interstate 39, which is the only location in the village where this form of off-premises advertising is suitable. There is a lack of further suitable sites for billboards and other off-premises advertising signs that do not meet the above limitations in subsection H(1)(a) through (h) without unduly affecting traffic safety, property values, community aesthetics, and quality of life. The limitations in this subsection do not prohibit on-premises business signs allowed in section 520-105 for constitutionally protected free speech, provided that all messages are in accordance with the time, place, and manner requirements of this article and other provisions of this chapter, other chapters of the Village of Kronenwetter Municipal Code, and other applicable laws. Off-premises advertising signs legally installed before the effective date of this chapter but made nonconforming by this article shall be permitted to continue as legal, nonconforming structures, subject to the requirements of section 520-114.

I.

Murals on public property.

(1)

Mural permit.

(a)

No mural shall be installed on public property unless a mural permit has been issued by the village board.

(b)

Zoning administrator review and recommendation. The zoning administrator shall determine whether the application is complete and fulfills the requirements of this chapter. The zoning administrator shall forward a copy of the complete application and evaluation to the plan commission.

(c)

Plan commission review and recommendation. The plan commission shall review the proposed mural and make a recommendation to the village board that the application be granted as requested, modified, or denied.

(d)

The village board may approve or deny the request.

(2)

Application requirements. Permit application shall contain, but not limited to, the following information:

(a)

Map showing the location of the proposed mural.

(b)

A scale drawing and color photo of the proposed media (canvas) showing the proposed size and placement of the mural.

(c)

Example artwork from the artist.

(d)

A colored drawing of the proposed mural.

(e)

A description of the proposed maintenance schedule that include the time frame for the life of the mural and the method for removal, if applicable. An agreement to uphold the submitted maintenance schedule will be required. Maintenance and repairs will be at the expense of the artist and/or commissioner.

(3)

Design standards.

(a)

The proposed mural will not have an adverse impact on the safe and efficient movement of vehicular or pedestrian traffic.

(b)

The proposed mural is well integrated with the media's design and other elements of the property and enhances the architecture or aesthetics of a building, wall or other media.

(c)

The media (canvas) for such graphic shall be inspected by the village and must be determined to be in good repair. If the selected media (fence or wall) is determined to not be in good repair, repairs shall be required in order for the submission to be approved.

(d)

The mural will not have detrimental effect on the structural integrity of the wall on which it is applied/affixed.

(e)

The proposed mural is culturally and historically appropriate and does not contain any political or vulgar messaging.

(f)

The graphic shall be produced using high-quality paint to ensure longevity of the graphic.

(g)

Avoid bright colors such as DayGlo™, neon, and metallic colors.

(Ord. No. 16-07, 6-20-2016; Ord. No. 17-05, 4-11-2017; Ord. No. 21-03, 2-23-2021)