Marshall Township has determined that the control of signage associated with various land uses in the township is an essential part of protecting the health, safety and welfare of township residents. This determination has been made based on the desire to minimize traffic hazards from signs which distract a driver's attention from the road. It cannot be disputed that a sign’s whole purpose is to call attention to themselves and to the extent they are successful, a motorists powers of observation are diverted from those things which he may injure or which may bring injury to him. Additionally, the township recognizes that appearance of the township helps drive its economy, and so it is important to protect that appearance. These regulations are specifically intended to achieve this objective.
It is also important to note that the provisions contained herein are not intended to regulate any type of speech and shall be applied to all advertising displays regardless.
Furthermore, it should also be noted that both the Planning Commission and Board of Supervisors have taken great time and effort to design the provisions contained in this Article of the Zoning Ordinance to ensure that competing interests have been balanced without eliminating the opportunity for outdoor advertising in Marshall Township. To that end, the purpose of the following sections is to establish minimum regulations for the display of signs.
