G7-13 Ordinance No. G7-13
AN ORDINANCE
AMENDING CHAPTER 19.50 OF THE ELGIN MUNICIPAL CODE, 1976,
AS AMENDED, ENTITLED "STREET GRAPHICS" TO REQUIRE THE
REMOVAL OF OBSOLETE SIGN COPY
WHEREAS, the City of Elgin has made a concerted effort to require the maintenance and
upkeep of all properties; and
WHEREAS, the City Council of the City of Elgin finds that such property maintenance
efforts are critical to maintaining property values and promoting economic development; and
WHEREAS, the City Council finds that obsolete signs, more specifically sign copy
which advertises businesses that are no longer operating, suggest that the environs are in a state
of decline and are otherwise contrary to such property maintenance and economic development
efforts; and
WHEREAS, written application has been made to amend the Elgin Zoning Ordinance to
require the removal of such obsolete sign copy; and
WHEREAS, the Planning and Zoning Commission held a public hearing concerning the
proposed amendments after due notice in manner provided by law; and
WHEREAS, the Planning and Zoning Commission has forwarded the proposed
amendments to the City Council with a recommendation for approval; and
WHEREAS, the Community Development Department recommends the requested
amendment be granted.
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT ORDAINED BY THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY
OF ELGIN, ILLINOIS:
Section 1. That Section 19.50.020 of the Elgin Municipal Code, 1976, as amended,
entitled "Definitions" be and is hereby further amended by adding in alphabetical order an
additional definition thereto for the term "Obsolete Copy"to read as follows:
"OBSOLETE COPY: Copy within a street graphic that once lawfully related, but
no longer relates, to businesses, commodities, services, or entertainment provided
on the premises on which the street graphic is located."
Section 2. That Section 19.50.110 of the Elgin Municipal Code, 1976, as amended,
entitled "Prohibited" be and is hereby further amended by adding a new subparagraph T. thereto
to read as follows:
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"T. Obsolete Copy: Notwithstanding the nonconforming provisions of this
Chapter 19.50, all obsolete copy shall be removed within 30 days of the
discontinuance of the activity which is the subject of said copy. Compliance with
the requirement to remove obsolete copy is not satisfied by reversing (i.e. turning
such copy so that it faces inward), rotating, altering, covering, or otherwise hiding
or obfuscating such copy. In the case of obsolete copy upon panels within a street
graphic frame, such panels shall be removed and replaced with a blank panel or
panel with lawful copy. Similarly, no street graphic frame shall remain unfilled
or allow any internal part or element of the street graphic structure to be visible,
rather such frames shall contain a blank panel or panel with lawful copy.
Notwithstanding the requirement in this section to remove obsolete copy, the
development administrator upon written application from the property owner may
authorize obsolete copy to remain on a street graphic located on a property within
the CC 1 or CC2 center city zoning districts, or on a property within a designated
historic district or upon a designated historic landmark, upon a written finding by
the development administrator that the obsolete copy conforms to at least one of
the guidelines for retaining historic signs listed within the most recent version of
Preservation Brief No. 25, `The Preservation of Historic signs' issued by the
National Parks Service, U.S. Department of Interior."
Section 3. That all ordinances or parts of ordinances in conflict with the provisions of
this ordinance be and are hereby repealed to the extent of any such conflict.
Section 4. That this ordinance shall be in full force and effect upon its passage and
publication in the manner provided by law.
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David J. Kapt:`n, M:for
Presented: January 23, 2013
Passed: January 23, 2013
Omnibus Vote: Yeas: 7 Nays: 0
Recorded: January 23, 2013 AF F4
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Published: January 25, 2013 \Citi\
Attest: z 1' H
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Kimberly Dewis, City Clerk I/t i tR �
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