974 CMR 6.01 - Authority and Purpose
(1) The Devens
Enterprise Commission (the DEC) is vested with broad regulatory authority
related to land use planning and permitting functions. Such permitting
functions, described in St, 1993, c. 498, ยง 11, and in greater detail in
the Devens Zoning By-laws (the By-laws), are those normally assumed in cities
and towns by Planning Boards, Boards of Health, Conservation Commissions,
Boards of Appeal, and Historic District Commissions.
(2)
References:
(a) Article XIII of the Devens By-laws gives
the DEC the power to regulate the erection and maintenance of signs at Devens,
including, but not limited to sign area, sign set-backs, duration of temporary
signs, number of freestanding signs, location of signs, height of signs,
illumination, types of signs, and minimum standards for design, construction
and maintenance.
(b) Article III
Section J of the By-laws allows the DEC to minimize the visual impact of
construction within designated view sheds. Such authority also extends to signs
(By-laws, Article III, Section J.3).
(c)
974 CMR
4.04: Illumination &
Astrophysical Compatibility duly adopted by the DEC and the Joint
Boards of Selectmen governs the height and illumination of signs.
(3)
Relationship to
Other Regulations.
974 CMR
6.00 implements and administer the DEC's authority to
regulate signs. It is incorporated with the other components of the Unified
Permit system during the application for a Unified Permit for development, and
shall to the maximum extent possible, integrate with
974 CMR
3.00: Site Plan, and if applicable,
974 CMR
2.00: Subdivision.
(4)
Purpose. It is
recognized that signs perform important functions that are essential for public
safety and general welfare, including communicating messages, providing
information about goods and services, and orienting and directing people. It is
further recognized that because of potential detrimental impacts signs must be
regulated to:
(a) Prevent hazards to vehicular
and pedestrian traffic safety by controlling the number, location, and
placement of signs;
(b) Provide
easy recognition and legibility of permitted signs and uses and promote visual
order and clarity on streets;
(c)
Facilitate efficient communication by implementing design criteria that
produces signs which can be easily read, recognized, and without distracting
elements;
(d) Support business
vitality through informing the public of available goods, services, and
activities.
Notes
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