In accordance with the enabling provisions of the Illinois Municipal Code (Ill. Rev. Stat., Ch. 24, Secs. 11-80-14 through 11-80-17 and Ch. 121, Secs. 501, et. seq.), this chapter establishes comprehensive regulations for the control of signs and other street graphics in order to preserve, protect and promote the public health, safety and general welfare of the citizens of the city. More specifically this chapter is intended to assist in achieving the following objectives:

    A.    To authorize the use of street graphics which are:

    1.    Compatible with their surroundings and the zoning district in which they are located,

    2.    Expressive of the image the city desires to project,

    3.    Appropriate to the type of establishment or activity to which they pertain, and

    4.    Legible in the circumstances in which they are seen;

    B.    To foster high quality commercial and industrial development, and to enhance the economic vitality of existing business and industry by promoting the reasonable, orderly and effective display of street graphics;

    C.    To encourage street graphics display practices and to militate against the objectionable effects of competitive practices respecting the size and placement of street graphics;

    D.    To enhance the physical appearance of this city by protecting the human-made and natural beauty of the area;

    E.    To protect pedestrians and motorists from any damage or injury that might result from the improper construction, placement or use of street graphics;

    F.    To protect the public investment in streets and highways by reducing the obstructions and distractions which might cause traffic accidents;

    G.    To preserve the value of private property by assuring the compatibility of street graphics with nearby land uses; and

    H.    To protect the visual beauty of the community by recognizing and encouraging aesthetically pleasing street graphics. (Ord. 892 § 1-1, 1991)