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TO: Mayor Richard C. Irvin and City Council
FROM: The Law Department
Zoning and Planning Division
The Mayor's Office of Economic Development
DATE: December 16, 2021
SUBJECT:
An Ordinance Amending Chapter 25, (Licenses, Permits and Miscellaneous Business Regulations) of the Code of Ordinances to Add Article XIII, Digital Message Boards and Billboards.
PURPOSE:
This new section of Chapter 25 explains the application requirements and procedures for digital message board and digital billboard licenses.
BACKGROUND:
The newly adopted sign ordinance, Chapter 41, of the Code of Ordinances requires that all digital message boards and digital billboards be licensed with the city.
DISCUSSION:
Licenses for digital message boards and digital billboards shall not be issued before July 1, 2022. All license fees will be waived for the year 2022.
IMPACT STATEMENT:
This ordinance will allow the city to regulate digital media to avoid messages from being displayed too rapidly or in a manner that could create a potential safety hazard.
RECOMMENDATIONS:
Staff recommends the adoption of this Ordinance.
CITY OF AURORA, ILLINOIS
ORDINANCE NO. _________
DATE OF PASSAGE ________________
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An Ordinance Amending Chapter 25, (Licenses, Permits and Miscellaneous Business Regulations) of the Code of Ordinances to Add Article XIII, Digital Message Boards and Billboards.
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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, licensing digital message boards and digital billboards encourages safe operation and can discourage owners from displaying messages that could be distracting or create potential safety hazards; and
WHEREAS, such licensing of digital message boards and digital message boards is required under the new sign ordinance, Chapter 41 of the Code of Ordinances; and
WHEREAS, this new section under Chapter 25 provides the application requirements and procedures for the city's newly required digital message board and digital billboard licenses.
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT ORDAINED by the City Council of the City of Aurora, Illinois, as follows: Chapter 25 of the Code of Ordinances is amended to add Article XIII, Digital Message Boards and Digital Billboards as hereby 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.