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TO: Mayor Irvin and City Council
FROM: The Law Department
The Zoning and Planning Department
The Mayor's Office of Economic Development
DATE: December 15, 2021
SUBJECT:
An Ordinance Amending and Replacing the Current Sign Ordinance, Chapter 41, Signs of the Code of Ordinances.
PURPOSE:
This new ordinance will replace the current sign ordinance and bring it up to date as far as new sign technology, various specifications, and current law.
BACKGROUND:
In 2015 the U.S. Supreme Court issued an opinion in a case called Reed v. Town of Gilbert, 576 U.S. 155, in which the Court held that municipalities cannot restrict expression based on its message, ideas, subject matter, or content. As a result of this decision, this new sign ordinance is "content neutral" pursuant to the Reed opinion.
DISCUSSION:
Signs serve an important purpose in the community in that they identify and promote businesses, services, residences, events and other matters of interest to the public. They have the ability to add a positive aesthetic value to a neighborhoods and shopping areas. Signs, however; can also obstruct views, distract motorists, displace alternative uses for land, create visual clutter, hinder property values, become safety risks, and pose other problems that call for regulation. This new ordinance seeks to encourage adequate communication and speech through signage while encouraging quality in the design, location, size, illumination, maintenance, safety and purpose of all signs.
IMPACT STATEMENT:
This new ordinance will encourage and allow individuals, businesses and residents to express themselves and promote their businesses. It also encourages the creation of a convenient, attractive and harmonious community, provides protection against destruction of or encroachment on historic convenience to citizens and encourages economic development.
RECOMMENDATIONS:
Staff recommends the adoption of this Ordinance
cc: City Council
CITY OF AURORA, ILLINOIS
ORDINANCE NO. _________
DATE OF PASSAGE ________________
title
An Ordinance Amending and Replacing Chapter 41, the Sign Ordinance, of the Code of Ordinances.
body
WHEREAS, the City of Aurora has a population of more than 25,000 persons and is, therefore, a home rule unit under subsection (a) of Section 6 of Article VII of the Illinois Constitution of 1970; and
WHEREAS, subject to said Section, a home rule unit may exercise any power and perform any function pertaining to its government and affairs for the protection of the public health, safety, morals, and welfare; and
WHEREAS, signs perform an important function in identifying and promoting properties, businesses, services, residences, events, and other matters of interest to the public; and
WHEREAS, signs, however; can also obstruct views, distract motorists, displace alternative uses for land and pose other problems that legitimately call for regulation; and
WHEREAS, it is important to adopt carefully drafted regulations that balance these interests as to encourage and allow for adequate communication through signage while encouraging aesthetic quality in the design, location, size and purpose of all signs;
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT ORDAINED by the City Council of the City of Aurora, Illinois, as follows: Chapter 41, Signs, of the Code of Ordinances is hereby amended as reflected in Exhibit A.
AND BE IT FURTHER ORDAINED: that the City Clerk and Corporation Counsel are hereby authorized to make any non-substantive, clerical or formatting changes and amendments to Exhibit A as necessary for codifying and updating this ordinance in municode.