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, § 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

974 CMR, § 6.01