[HISTORY: Adopted by the Special Town Meeting of the Town of Alfred 6-12-1985 by Art. 9. Amendments noted
where applicable.]
A.
The purpose of this chapter is to regulate the location
of official business directional signs more stringently than the state law,
23 M.R.S.A. §§ 1901 through 1905.
B.
These regulations are intended to enable the Town of
Alfred to preserve the aesthetic quality of the Center Village by prohibiting
off-premises directional signs, to preserve the rural character and scenic
beauty of the rest of the Town by keeping the number of signs to a minimum
and to prevent roadside signs from distracting drivers and thereby creating
potentially hazardous conditions near intensively used intersections in the
Town by keeping the number of signs to a minimum. Since the state provides
directional signs to other municipalities, the traveling public can follow
those signs to locate businesses, facilities and points of interest in those
municipalities. The signs permitted by this chapter are intended to be used
to direct delivery trucks and out-of-town travelers, not to advertise businesses.
As used in this chapter, the following terms shall have the meanings
indicated:
A sign erected and maintained in accordance with the Maine Traveler
Information Services Act and this chapter to indicate to the traveling public
the route and distance to public accommodations, facilities, commercial services
for the traveling public and points of scenic, historical, cultural, recreational,
educational and religious interest.
Any road capable of carrying motor vehicles, including but not limited
to any highway, municipal road, county road or other road dedicated to the
public.
A.
Location. OBDS signs shall be located within the public
way right-of-way on approaches to intersections where travelers must change
direction from one public way to another to reach a business, service or point
of interest. A business, service, facility or point of interest shall not
be permitted more than one sign at any one intersection approach. Each place
of business service or point of interest shall be eligible for a maximum of
three directional signs within the Town. To qualify for an official business
directional sign, the business, service or point of interest must be located
within the Town of Alfred. Businesses or services not located in Alfred shall
not be allowed to place OBDS signs in Alfred. No directional sign, however,
may be located within a right-of-way which abuts property located in the Center
Village Zone of Alfred, except in the right-of-way along Route 111.
B.
Compliance with Maine Department of Transportation regulations.
OBDS signs must comply with the regulations of the Maine Department of Transportation
for official business directional signs, except where these provisions are
more stringent.
C.
Size. The size of each signboard may not exceed one by
four feet.
D.
Installation and removal. The Maine Department of Transportation
is responsible for installation and removal of OBDS signs.
E.
Business establishments undertaken and permitted as home
occupations shall not be permitted directional signs.
All signs which do not conform to this chapter shall be removed by December
31, 1986. If the owner fails to remove the sign as required, he shall be considered
in violation of this chapter.
A.
The applicant for one or more OBDS signs shall submit
the application to Alfred's Code Enforcement Officer (CEO) on the state's
form.
B.
The CEO shall decide whether the application meets the
requirements of this chapter. If it does, the CEO shall so certify and shall
note on the application that the OBDS signs(s) may not exceed one by four
feet.
Any directional sign erected or existing in violation of this chapter
is a nuisance and shall be abated by the Superior Court at the request of
the Town.
A.
Whoever violates this chapter shall be punished by a
fine of not less than $25, together with the cost of removal of the signs.
Each day the violation continues shall be deemed a separate offense.
B.
In addition to other penalties, the Town may institute
any appropriate action, injunction or other proceedings to enforce this chapter.
This chapter shall become effective upon enactment.
This chapter may be amended by vote of the legislative body.
