§ 196-3. Administration and penalties.

A. 

Enforcement. The Land Use Department is hereby authorized and directed to enforce all of the provisions of this bylaw. The Land Use Department, in conjunction with the Sign Committee, Planning Board, and Historic District Commission, may issue regulations and guidelines as necessary to implement the provisions of this bylaw.

B. 

Removal of signs. The Land Use Department shall order the removal of any sign erected or maintained in violation of this bylaw. Fourteen calendar days' notice, in writing, shall be given to the owner of such sign, or of the building, structure, or premises on which such sign is located, to remove the sign or to bring it into compliance with the bylaw. If the owner fails to come into compliance, the Land Use Department shall issue a second written notice and a noncriminal citation in accordance with Chapter 1 of the Groton Code. If, after five days, the owner continues to fail to come into compliance, the bylaw may be enforced through court action.

C. 

Sign Committee and Select Board.

[Amended 10-1-2018 ATM by Art. 14]

(1) 

Right of appeal. Any applicant for a permit, any person who has been ordered by the Land Use Department to incur expense in connection with a sign, and any person dissatisfied with any refusal, order, or decision issued under this bylaw may appeal to the Sign Committee within 14 calendar days from the date of such refusal, order, or decision. For permit applications made to the Sign Committee, the appeal shall be to the Select Board. After notice given to such parties as the Sign Committee or Select Board shall order, a public hearing shall be held. Applying the standards in Subsection C(2) below, where applicable, and interpreting this bylaw, the Sign Committee or Select Board shall affirm, annul or modify such refusal, order, or decision. The Sign Committee or Select Board may only annul or modify the refusal, order or decision by a unanimous decision. If the Sign Committee or Select Board modifies or annuls the action appealed from, the Land Use Department shall issue a permit or order in accordance with the decision of the Sign Committee or Select Board.

(2) 

Variances in specific cases. See § 196-8, Unique and special circumstances.

(3) 

Conditions and safeguards. When acting under this subsection, the Sign Committee shall set forth appropriate conditions and safeguards whenever in its opinion they are desirable.