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Chapter 12 - Sign Code Section 1200 - Purpose and Intent 1200.01 Recitals. This Chapter shall be known, cited and referred to as the Arden Hills Sign Code, except as referred to herein, where it shall be known as "this Chapter." 1200.02 Purpose and Findings. The purpose and findings of this Chapter are as follows: Subd. 1 Purpose. This Sign Code is intended to establish a comprehensive and balanced system of sign control that accommodates the need for a well -maintained, safe, and attractive community, and the need for effective communications, including business identification. It is the intent of these sign regulations, to promote the health, safety, general welfare, aesthetics, and image of the community by regulating signs that are intended to communicate to the public in all areas of the City. It is not the purpose or intent of this Chapter to regulate the message displayed on any sign. The purpose of this Chapter is to authorize: A. Permanent signs which establish a high standard of aesthetics and are appropriate for the planned character in each sign district as established in Section 1240; B. Signs which are compatible with their surroundings; C. Signs which are designed, constructed, installed and maintained in a manner that does not adversely impact public safety or create a hazard to motorists, pedestrians, or cyclists; D. Signs that are proportioned to the scale of, and are architecturally compatible with, principal structures; E. Permanent signs which give preference to the on -premise owner or occupant; F. Temporary commercial signs and advertising displays which provide an opportunity to advertise while restricting signs that create visual clutter and hazards at public right-of-way intersections; G. Minimize adverse effects on nearby property; and, H. Provide for fair and consistent enforcement of the sign regulations set forth herein under the authority of the City. Subd. 2 Findings. The City finds it is necessary for the promotion and preservation of the public health, safety, welfare, and aesthetics of the community to control the construction, location, size, and maintenance of signs. Further, the City finds: A. Permanent and temporary signs have a direct impact on and relationship to the image and aesthetic of the community; B. The manner of installation, location and maintenance of signs affects the public health, safety, welfare and aesthetics of the community; C. An opportunity for viable identification of community businesses, residences, and institutions must be established; D. The safety of motorists, cyclists, pedestrians and other users of public streets and property is affected by the number, size, location and appearance of signs that create a hazard for drivers, particularly from dynamic display signs; E. Installation of signs suspended from, projecting over, or placed on the tops of buildings, walks or other structures may constitute a hazard during periods of high winds and an obstacle to effective fire -fighting and other emergency service; F. Uncontrolled and unlimited signs and sign types, particularly dynamic display signs, adversely impact the image and aesthetic attractiveness of the community and thereby undermine economic value and growth; G. Uncontrolled and unlimited signs, particularly temporary signs which are commonly located within or adjacent to public right-of-way or are located at driveway/street intersections, result in roadside clutter and obstruction of views of oncoming traffic. This creates a hazard to drivers and pedestrians and also adversely impacts a logical flow of information; H. Commercial signs are generally incompatible with residential uses and should be strictly limited in residential zoning districts; and I. The right to express noncommercial opinions in any zoning district must be protected, subject to reasonable restrictions on size, height, location and number. 1200.03 Scope of Regulations.