[Amended 1-6-1975 by Ord. No. 82; 3-14-1977 by Ord. No. 88; 10-12-1993 by Ord. No. 199; 12-12-1994 by Ord. No. 214; 11-12-2002 by Ord. No.
321; 8-17-2009 by Ord. No. 363]
While signs are recognized as a necessity in that they function
to identify properties, businesses, services, residences, events,
institutions and other matters of interest to the public, it is also
recognized that it is vital to everyone's interest to control and
regulate signs in order to protect the health, safety and welfare
of the community.
A.
Signs must not be permitted if they are in any way a hazard to vehicular
or pedestrian traffic, either directly or indirectly, by virtue of
exposing a pedestrian to danger as a result of concealing the presence
of a pedestrian to vehicular traffic.
B.
Signs must be regulated so as to minimize their negative impact on
vehicular traffic. They must not cause excessive diversion of a driver's
attention from the safe operation of his or her vehicle. They must
not cause confusion on the part of the vehicle operator, and they
must not constitute any type of obstruction or distraction for the
motoring public.
C.
Signs have a direct impact on property values. It is the intent of
these regulations to insure that the impact is positive. A negative
impact would not be in the best interest of the general welfare of
the community.
D.
Signs convey the character of an area. It is the intent of these
regulations to maintain signage that is appropriate to the various
districts of the community, including but not limited to residential,
commercial, industrial and recreational.
E.
It is the goal of these regulations to enhance the community aesthetics
as a means to promote economic development. A positive visual environment
will promote the economic health of a community which in turn serves
the citizens of the community.
F.
A Wisconsin Department of Transportation study found that sideswipe
and rear-end collisions were up as much as 35% where signs with variable
messages showing ads and sports scores were most visible. Signs must
be regulated so as not to cause an increase in traffic accidents.
G.
The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, in 2006, found
that taking one's eyes off the road for more than two seconds for
any reason not directly related to driving "significantly increased
individual near crash/crash risk." Signs must be regulated so as not
to be so attention-getting (such as signs that are so brightly lit
that their changing messages can be seen from hundreds of feet away)
that they result in drivers being distracted and removing their eyes
from the road for more than two seconds.
[Amended 1-20-2020 by Ord. No. 409]
Any sign erected or maintained in Franconia Township after the
effective date of this article shall conform to the following regulations:
A.
The maximum height of any sign in any district shall be six feet.
[Amended 1-20-2020 by Ord. No. 409]
The following are permitted permanent signs on premises for
residential use and/or in the RR, R-175, R-130, R-100, R-50, MHD,
MRD, OSR and OSR-200 Districts:
A.
Identification/address sign: a sign that shows the name of the resident,
the address, the name of the property, the name of a professional
practitioner or any combination thereof. The sign may be two-sided,
with the area of one side not exceeding two square feet. The sign
may be illuminated internally or externally. There shall not be more
than one such sign installed per dwelling. Internally illuminated
signs may be lit by a single lamp with a maximum lumen output equivalent
to a forty-watt incandescent lamp. Externally illuminated signs may
be lit on each side by a single lamp with a maximum lumen output equivalent
to a forty-watt incandescent lamp.
B.
Signs addressing trespassing or private ownership. The sign may be
two-sided with the area of one side not exceeding one square foot.
The signs may not be illuminated and they may not be spaced at intervals
of less than 100 feet.
C.
Signs for farm stands, provided that the area of one side does not
exceed six square feet, and provided that not more than one such sign
shall be erected on any one street frontage of any property in single
and separate ownership.
D.
Signs identifying residential developments shall be permitted subject
to review and approval of the Board of Supervisors as part of the
land development/subdivision process.
[Amended 1-20-2020 by Ord. No. 409]
E.
A development
sign located at the entrance to a residential development shall be
constructed of masonry or natural materials and shall be externally
illuminated.
[Added 1-20-2020 by Ord. No. 409]
The following are permitted temporary signs on premises for
residential use and/or in the RR, R-175, R-130, R-100, R-50, MHD,
MRD, OSR and OSR-200 Districts:
A.
Real estate signs advertising the sale or rental of premises on which
the sign is erected, provided that the total area of any one side
of such sign on any street frontage of any property in single and
separate ownership shall not exceed six square feet. Real estate signs
shall be removed within 14 days of the date of execution of an agreement
of sale or lease pertaining to the property.
B.
Signs for advertising, on the premises, the sale or development of
homes within a subdivision of four or more homes, provided that the
area of any one side of any sign shall not exceed 25 square feet.
C.
Temporary signs of contractors, mechanics, and artisans, erected
and maintained on the premises where work is being performed, only
during the period when such work is being performed, provided that
the area of one side of any sign shall not exceed six square feet,
and provided that not more than one such sign shall be erected on
any property in single and separate ownership, and provided that such
sign shall be removed immediately upon completion of the work.
[Amended 1-20-2020 by Ord. No. 409]
The following and no other signs are permitted permanent signs
on premises for commercial use in the C and VC Districts:
A.
Freestanding or monument signs for Commercial District C:
(1)
One freestanding or monument identification sign per property
per street frontage, a maximum of 40 square feet in area.
(2)
Such signs must be set back a minimum of 20 feet from the curbline
of the street or outer edge of the shoulder and outside the legal
right-of-way of the street.
(3)
The maximum height to the top of a freestanding or monument
sign shall be six feet.
(4)
No portion of any sign shall be erected or maintained within
the clear-sight triangle at any intersection or driveway.
B.
Freestanding or monument signs for Commercial District VC:
(1)
One freestanding or monument identification sign per property
per street frontage, a maximum of 20 square feet in area.
(2)
Such signs must be set back a minimum of 20 feet from the curbline
of the street or outer edge of the shoulder and outside the legal
right-of-way of the street.
(3)
The maximum height to the top of a freestanding or monument
sign shall be six feet.
(4)
No portion of any sign shall be erected or maintained within
the clear sight triangle at any intersection or driveway.
C.
Commercial Districts C and VC:
(1)
Only one awning sign or parallel wall sign or permanent window
sign may be placed on the side of a building which faces a street.
The sign shall not exceed 40 square feet in area.
(2)
Projecting signs may be placed on the side or front of a building
which faces a street and shall not exceed 40 square feet. The sign
shall project no more than seven feet from the building wall; the
outermost portion shall be no closer than five feet to the curbline
or shoulder of a public street or parking area; there shall be a minimum
clearance of 10 feet between the bottom of the sign and a public sidewalk
or walkway. In multitenant buildings each tenant shall be permitted
to have one such sign.
(3)
The base of all freestanding or monument signs associated with
a commercial use shall be constructed of brick, stone, or concrete
which is formed to have a masonry unit or brick appearance. If the
primary building features brick, stone, or concrete which is formed
to have a masonry unit or brick appearance, the material used on the
base of the sign shall match or be complimentary to the building material
used on the primary structure.
[Added 1-20-2020 by Ord.
No. 409]
The following are permitted temporary signs on premises for
Commercial Districts C and VC:
A.
Real estate signs advertising the sale or rental of premises on which
the sign is erected, provided that the total area of any one side
of such sign on any street frontage of any property in single and
separate ownership shall not exceed 12 square feet. Real estate signs
shall be removed within 14 days of the date of execution of an agreement
of sale or lease pertaining to the property.
B.
Temporary signs of contractors, mechanics, and artisans, erected
and maintained on the premises where work is being performed, only
during the period when such work is being performed, provided that
the area of one side of any sign shall not exceed six square feet,
and provided that not more than one such sign shall be erected on
any property in single and separate ownership, and provided that such
sign shall be removed immediately upon completion of the work.
The following are permitted permanent signs on premises for
the LI Industrial District:
A.
Freestanding or monument signs.
(1)
(2)
Such signs must be set back a minimum of 30 feet from the curbline
of the frontage street or outer edge of the shoulder and outside the
legal right-of-way.
(3)
The maximum height to the top of a freestanding or monument
sign shall be six feet.
(4)
No portion of any sign shall be erected or maintained within
the clear-sight triangle at any intersection or driveway.
B.
Business identification signs. Parallel wall signs may be placed
on each side of a building which faces a street on the same property
and shall not exceed 40 square feet. In multitenant buildings each
tenant shall be permitted to have one such sign.
The following are permitted temporary signs on premises for
the LI Industrial District:
A.
Real estate signs advertising the sale or rental of premises on which
the sign is erected, provided that the total area of any one side
of such sign on any street frontage of any property in single and
separate ownership shall not exceed 12 square feet for properties
carried by a single broker. Real estate signs shall be removed within
14 days of the date of execution of an agreement of sale or lease
pertaining to the property.
B.
Temporary signs of contractors, mechanics, and artisans, erected
and maintained on the premises where work is being performed, only
during the period when such work is being performed, provided that
the area of one side of any sign shall not exceed six square feet,
and provided that not more than one such sign shall be erected on
any property in single and separate ownership, and provided that such
sign shall be removed immediately upon completion of the work.
The following are permitted permanent signs on premises for
the IN Institutional District:
A.
Signs for an institutional use on the same lot therewith, for the
purpose of displaying the name of the institution and its activities
and/or services:
(1)
One freestanding or monument identification sign, a maximum
of 40 square feet in area, per street frontage.
(2)
Such signs must be set back a minimum of 20 feet from the curbline
of the frontage street or outer edge of the shoulder and outside the
legal right-of-way.
(3)
The maximum height to the top of a freestanding or monument
sign shall be six feet.
(4)
No portion of any sign shall be erected or maintained within
the clear sight triangle at any intersection or driveway.
B.
Each building shall be permitted to have a sign identifying the name,
use or purpose of said building, provided that the total area of any
one side of such sign shall not exceed 10 square feet.
The following are permitted temporary signs on premises for
the IN Institutional District:
A.
Real estate signs advertising the sale or rental of premises on which
the sign is erected, provided that the total area of any one side
of such sign on any street frontage of any property in single and
separate ownership shall not exceed six square feet for properties
carried by a single broker. Real estate signs shall be removed within
14 days of the date of execution of an agreement of sale or lease
pertaining to the property.
B.
Temporary signs of contractors, mechanics, and artisans, erected
and maintained on the premises where work is being performed, only
during the period when such work is being performed, provided that
the area of one side of any sign shall not exceed eight square feet,
and provided that not more than one such sign shall be erected on
any property in single and separate ownership, and provided that such
sign shall be removed immediately upon completion of the work.
The following are permitted permanent signs on premises for
the RE Recreation - Open Space District:
The following are signs permitted in all districts:
A.
Interior directional signs with a maximum area of four square feet
per side and a maximum height of three feet. Minimum setbacks shall
be:
B.
Incidental signs to control traffic (speed limit, one way, stop,
do not enter, etc.) and to identify crosswalks, bus stops, and fire
lanes, with a maximum area of six square feet and a maximum height
of six feet. Signs must meet traffic safety standards based on the
evaluation of the Township Engineer.
C.
The supports of every freestanding or monument sign shall be designed
so as to obscure the bare pole or other support by the use of architectural
features such as masonry or other covering of such bare pole or other
sign supports.
[Added 1-20-2020 by Ord.
No. 409]
A.
Off-premises signs are allowed only upon the granting of a special
exception by the Zoning Hearing Board in compliance with the regulations
in this chapter.
C.
No part or foundation or support of any outdoor advertising sign
shall be placed on, in or over any private property without the written
agreement of the property owner. The agreement shall be presented
as part of the application for said sign permit, with consideration
or price figures bargained between the private parties allowed for
"white out" or redaction.
D.
Display area of sign structure.
(1)
The display area of the sign structure (i.e., that part of the
structure exclusive of support posts, bracing and lighting) shall
not exceed the maximum limits set forth below:
(2)
For the purposes of this section, "limited-access highway zone"
means those highways defined as "limited access" by the Pennsylvania
Department of Transportation.
E.
When two sign faces are utilized in the back-to-back arrangement,
they shall be parallel and directly opposite sign faces oriented in
opposite directions located not more than 15 feet apart.
F.
When the V-type sign arrangement is used for two sign faces, the
sign shall be located on the unipole support so that, when viewed
from above, their faces are oriented in different positions forming
the letter "V". The sign faces shall not be located more than 15 feet
apart at the closest point, nor shall the interior angles be greater
than 45°.
G.
A multivision sign, which has rotating cross-section members that
change the sign's display in part or in its entirety, and flashing,
moving or illuminated signs shall be prohibited.
[Amended 1-20-2020 by Ord. No. 409]
H.
All outdoor advertising signs shall be constructed on a steel unipole
or steel I-beams meeting the industry-wide standards as established
by the Outdoor Advertising Association of America and the Institute
of Outdoor Advertising.
I.
All outdoor advertising signs shall conform to the building height restrictions of the district controlling the location of the structure or 40 feet, as per § 145-19 of this chapter, whichever is lower. The height shall be measured from the bed of the street, road or highway to which the sign is oriented to the highest part of the sign.
J.
No outdoor advertising sign shall be erected within one mile in any
direction of any other outdoor advertising sign on the same street,
road, highway or alley as measured along the center line of the abutting
roadway.
K.
No outdoor advertising sign shall be located within 1,000 feet of
any interchange, within 1,000 feet of any right-of-way of any underpass,
overpass or bridge or within 1,000 feet of any street intersection.
L.
No outdoor advertising sign shall be erected within 1,000 feet of
any existing residential dwelling or residential zoning district.
M.
No outdoor advertising sign shall be erected within 500 feet of any
existing freestanding on-premises sign.
N.
No outdoor advertising sign shall be erected less than six feet nor
more than 30 feet from a street right-of-way line.
O.
No outdoor advertising sign shall be erected within a three-hundred-foot
circumference of the nearest property line of any of the following:
P.
No off-premises or outdoor advertising sign shall be erected along
or within 300 feet of the outermost edge of the right-of-way of all
roads and waterways of an established scenic area. No off-premises
or outdoor advertising sign shall be permitted outside of any such
scenic area that is primarily oriented toward and is designed or situated
to be observed from any established scenic area.
Q.
Illumination of all outdoor advertising signs shall be by external
illumination only. In no event shall any sign have flashing or intermittent
lights, nor shall the signs or lights be permitted to rotate or oscillate.
No direct ray of light shall extend beyond the face of the sign. An
outdoor advertising sign or its structure shall only be illuminated
from dusk until 11:00 p.m.
[Amended 1-20-2020 by Ord. No. 409]
R.
Trees greater than four inches in diameter removed for the construction
of the sign shall be replaced on site at a ratio of one replacement
tree for each removed tree using native species no less than three
inches in diameter.
S.
A decorative landscaped strip shall be located immediately adjoining
the supporting structure of the outdoor advertising sign and extending
a minimum of five feet from the sign in all directions. A hedge or
other durable planting of at least two feet in height shall extend
the entire length and breadth of the required landscape strip.
T.
The rear side of a single-face outdoor advertising sign shall be
of one neutral color.
U.
All outdoor advertising signs shall be maintained in good and safe
structural condition. The painted frame of outdoor advertising signs
shall be kept in good condition.
[Amended 1-20-2020 by Ord. No. 409]
V.
The general area in the vicinity of all outdoor advertising signs
on undeveloped property shall be kept free and clear of sign material
debris.
W.
All outdoor advertising signs shall be identified on the structure
with the name and address of the owner of each sign. The signs within
an area regulated by Chapter 445 of the Pennsylvania Code[1] shall further be identified with a permit number or tag
issued by the Pennsylvania Department of Transportation.
[1]
Editor's Note: See 67 Pa. Code § 445.1 et seq.
X.
All newly erected outdoor advertising signs shall conform to all
applicable federal, state and local laws, rules and regulations.
Y.
All billboards shall be subject to a fee in an amount set by the
Board of Supervisors, by resolution, for changing the copy on the
billboard. Such change of copy shall require a permit application
to be submitted, reviewed and approved prior to the change of copy.
In all districts the following general sign regulations shall
apply:
A.
No sign shall endanger traffic on a street by obscuring a clear view
or by confusion with official street signs or signals, by virtue of
position, color, design, sound or light.
B.
Prohibited signs. The following types of signs or illumination of
signs shall be prohibited in the Township:
(1)
Animated signs.
(2)
Beacon lighting.
(3)
Flashing, blinking, interactive, intermittently lighted, moving
or reflective signs or electronically changing message signs including
pulsating, moving, and scrolling messages and those that indicate
time and temperature. This restriction specifically includes window
signs and signs that give the appearance of any of the above. This
shall not prohibit standard holiday lighting or displays.
[Amended 1-20-2020 by Ord. No. 409]
(4)
Illuminated temporary signs.
(5)
Nonstationary signs.
(6)
Revolving, changing or rotating signs that change copy more
often than once every three minutes or do not change instantaneously.
Barber poles shall be exempt.
[Amended 1-20-2020 by Ord. No. 409]
(7)
Roof signs.
(8)
Trailer signs, including commercial vehicles parked on public
rights-of-way, public property or private property or in the same
vicinity within view of a public street for 14 consecutive days, when
using the trailer and/or signs for purposes of advertising an establishment,
service or product or directing people to a business or activity located
on the same or nearby property. Construction trailers are exempt from
these provisions.
(9)
Vehicular signs, including commercial vehicles parked on public
rights-of-way, public property or private property within view of
a public street for 14 consecutive days, when using the vehicle and/or
signs for purposes of advertising an establishment, service or product
or directing people to a business or activity located on the same
or nearby property.
(10)
Tacking, pasting or otherwise affixing of signs or posters on
buildings, barns, sheds, trailers, trees, poles, posts, vehicles,
walls, fences or any other structure on a property, excluding "no
trespassing," "no hunting," and "beware of animal" warnings or other
legal postings as required by law.
(11)
Signs that transmit excessive emissions, such as light, sound,
odors, vapors or particles.
[Amended 1-20-2020 by Ord. No. 409]
(12)
String lights, other than holiday decorations.
(13)
Searchlights, floodlights and lasers.
[Amended 1-20-2020 by Ord. No. 409]
(14)
Sandwich boards.
(15)
Sidewalk or curb signs.
(16)
Balloons or other inflatable figures.
(17)
Banners, spinners, flags, streamers, pennants or any moving
object used for commercial advertising purpose whether containing
a message or not, except for a special event regulated herein.
[Added 1-20-2020 by Ord.
No. 409]
(18)
Message center signs (electronically programed signs using alpha-numeric
symbols, such as gas sign display) and digital displays (internally
illuminated signs with electronic images which can change and can
include text, such as LCD, LED screens, plasma screens).
[Added 1-20-2020 by Ord.
No. 409]
C.
No sign, other than official street signs, shall be erected or maintained
within the street right-of-way.
D.
No sign shall project more than 24 inches over a public walkway,
and the lower edge of such projecting sign shall not be less than
10 feet above the walk level.
E.
No temporary or permanent signs shall be erected on Township property
other than official identification or directional signs unless authorized
by the Township.
F.
Every sign permitted in this chapter shall be constructed of durable
materials and shall be maintained in good condition and repair at
all times.
[Amended 1-20-2020 by Ord. No. 409]
G.
Special event signs, banners, portable signs or commemorative flags
announcing a grand opening, going-out-of-business sale or other special
event shall comply with the following standards:
(1)
The area of the special event sign, banner, portable sign or
commemorative flag shall not exceed 25 square feet.
(2)
The property or business shall display only one special event
sign, banner, portable sign or commemorative flag at any one time.
(3)
A special event sign, banner or commemorative flag for a business
shall be displayed no more than four times during the calendar year
for periods of time not exceeding 14 calendar days. Portable signs
may be displayed only once during the calendar year for a period of
time not exceeding 14 calendar days.
(4)
Special event signs or banners for public or quasi-public events
by nonprofit organizations recognized by the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania
or sponsored by a political subdivision or agency thereof shall comply
with the following standards:
(a)
Such banners shall be affixed to a building or some other appropriate
sturdy structure.
(b)
The permanent size of any street banner shall be determined
on a case-by-case basis by the Zoning Officer.
(c)
If the banner is to be strung across a state-owned road, the
sponsoring organization must comply with policies of the Pennsylvania
Department of Transportation as detailed in Franconia Township Resolution
No. 02-18-23-07 and any other resolution hereafter.
(d)
All special event signs or banners shall be installed under
the supervision and control of the Township.
(e)
Signs or banners shall be displayed for a period not to exceed
21 days and must be removed within five days after the ending date
of the event.
(5)
A maximum of two off-premises directional signs, not exceeding
six square feet in area and six feet in height, shall be permitted
for any special event, provided that permission has been obtained
from the property owner where the sign is to be placed.
H.
The following signs do not require a permit, provided they adhere
to the requirements of this chapter:
(1)
Temporary signs, as follows:
(2)
Nameplate, street and address and "welcome" signs not exceeding
two square feet in area.
(3)
Warning, security and directional signs for parking, etc.
(4)
Government signs, such as flags, insignia or legal notices.
(5)
Informational or directional signs not exceeding two square
feet.
(6)
Official street signs, traffic signs and any signs required
by law.
(7)
Signs in connection with the identification, operation or protection
of any public utility or municipal activity.
(8)
Trespassing signs and signs indicating private ownership of
roadways or other property not exceeding two square feet each.
(9)
"No hunting" signs on private property not exceeding two square
feet each.
(10)
Property security signs not exceeding two square feet in area.
I.
The power to all illuminated signs shall be turned off no later than
12:00 midnight prevailing time and shall remain off the balance of
the night.
A.
Restrictions for certain districts.
(1)
In all residential districts the following permitted signs may
be illuminated and no other:
(a)
The professional sign of a physician, dentist, justice and such
other persons whose services in an emergency are customarily considered
essential to the public health, safety and welfare, provided that
the illumination is white light only, properly shaded, and provided
further that the total illumination for any such sign shall not exceed
the LED equivalent of a forty-watt bulb.
[Amended 1-20-2020 by Ord. No. 409]
(b)
The sign of a school, church, hospital, sanitarium, club or
other institution of similar nature, laboratory or municipal building,
provided that the illumination is white light only, and provided further
that the total illumination for any such sign shall not exceed the
LED equivalent of that given by a forty-watt bulb.
[Amended 1-20-2020 by Ord. No. 409]
(c)
Signs for regulation of traffic, marking of hazards and the
like.
(2)
In commercial and industrial districts any permitted sign, building
or structure may be illuminated in accordance with the regulations
herein.
B.
Any permitted illumination of signs, buildings or structures in any
district shall be subject to the following regulations:
(1)
No signs shall be illuminated with or contain flashing, rotating,
moving or intermittent lighting devices, whether created by lighting
effect or by rotation of the sign itself.
[Amended 1-20-2020 by Ord. No. 409]
(2)
Floodlighting shall be shielded so that only the sign, building,
structure or open area on said lot is directly illuminated.
(3)
Sign lighting with adaptive controls like dimmers, timers and
motion centers are strongly encouraged. "Warm-white" or filtered LEDs
shall be used to minimize blue emission and Correlated Color Temperature
(CCT) shall be equal to or less than 3,000 Kelvin. Any permitted message
signs or digital displays shall employ a light sensing device that
can automatically adjust the brightness of the display within 5,000
candela per square meter during daylight hours and 125 candela per
square meter during nighttime hours. The brightness of a sign is limited
to 0.3 footcandle above the ambient light levels as measured from
the sign. The owner of any illuminated sign shall provide a certification
from an independent contractor showing compliance with brightness
standards as a condition of a sign permit and the Township reserves
the right to review the brightness once installed and confirm the
brightness level complies with this section.
[Added 1-20-2020 by Ord.
No. 409]
A.
A permit shall be obtained from the office of the Zoning Officer
for each of the following types of signs:
B.
An application for a sign permit shall be submitted to the Zoning
Officer, along with the following information:
(1)
Types and locations of existing signs located on the property.
(2)
The dimensions, area and height of all existing signs located
on the property.
(3)
For freestanding signs, a site plan indicating the distance
the outermost portion of the sign is set back from the curbline or
shoulder and distance from property lines, driveways, street intersections
and utility poles.
(4)
Type of illumination.
(5)
Drawing indicating dimensions, area and height of all proposed
signs, the material of which the signs are to be constructed, and
the design/graphics/wording on the sign.
(6)
For wall signs, the building length along public street frontage.
A.
Signs legally in existence at the time of the adoption of this chapter
which do not conform to the requirements of this chapter shall be
considered nonconforming signs.
B.
All such nonconforming signs shall be removed, or altered so as to
be in conformity with the standards contained herein, at such time
as:
(1)
Franconia Township receives an application for a sign permit
in cases where the nonconforming sign is to be significantly altered.
Changes to the sign copy or the replacement of a sign panel of an
existing establishment's nonconforming sign shall not be considered
a significant alteration. If more than 50% of a sign is damaged, the
sign is removed, relocated, or the type of illumination proposed to
change, it shall be brought into conformance with this article.
[Amended 1-20-2020 by Ord. No. 409]
(2)
The property on which the nonconforming sign is located submits
a subdivision or land development application requiring municipal
review and approval.
(3)
The property on which the nonconforming sign is located undergoes
a change of land use requiring the issuance of either a use and occupancy
permit or a change of use and occupancy permit by Franconia Township.
C.
To determine the legal status of existing signs, in each of the three cases listed in Subsection B of this section, the applicant shall submit the following information to the Township Zoning Officer:
(1)
Types and locations of existing signs located on the property.
(2)
The area and height of all existing signs.
(3)
For freestanding signs, the distance the outermost portion of
the sign is set back from the curbline or shoulder.
(4)
Type of illumination.
(5)
The material of which the sign is constructed.
(6)
The building length along public street frontage.
D.
Prior to the events listed in Subsection B of this section, nonconforming signs may be repainted or repaired, the sign copy may be changed or sign panels may be replaced, provided that such actions do not increase the dimensions of the existing sign or in any way increase the extent of the sign's nonconformity.
A.
Any type of sign regulated in this section that is abandoned and
not advertising, announcing or identifying an active or permitted
use, business, available product, etc. for a period of more than three
months shall be deemed not in compliance with this chapter and requires
adherence with all parts of this chapter for any future sign permit.
This may include the replacement of existing signs with new signs,
replacement or modification of lighting, etc., to the satisfaction
of the Township.
[Amended 1-20-2020 by Ord. No. 409]
B.
Dilapidated or otherwise unsafe signs shall be removed within 30
days upon notification from the Zoning Officer. Every sign shall be
kept in good repair in a safe, clean and attractive condition.
C.
Where the person responsible for the removal of an abandoned sign
fails to remove such sign in 30 days the Township may remove such
sign. Any expense directly incurred in the removal of such sign shall
be charged to the owner of the property. If the owner fails to pay,
the Township may file a lien upon the property for the purpose of
recovering all reasonable costs associated with the removal of the
sign.
[Added 1-20-2020 by Ord.
No. 409]
[Added 1-20-2020 by Ord.
No. 409]
A.
Upon written notice by the Township, the owner, person, or entity
maintaining a sign shall remove a sign when it becomes unsafe, is
in danger of falling, becomes so deteriorated that it no longer serves
a useful purpose of communication, or is determined by Township to
be a nuisance, unsafe, or having been unlawfully erected in violation
of any of the provisions of this article. Removal of an abandoned
sign shall include the removal of the entire sign including the sign
face, supporting structure, and structural trim.
B.
The Township may remove or cause to be removed the sign at the expense
of the property owner upon failure to comply with the terms of the
notice within 30 days of the date of the notice. In the event of immediate
danger, the Township may remove the sign immediately upon the issuance
of notice to the owner, person, or entity maintaining the sign.
