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<br />Section 2. That, from and after the effective date of this ordinance, the issuance of permits
<br />for the erection, reconstruction, or placement of ground signs, pole signs, signboards of all kinds,
<br />billboards, torpedo signs, or electric signs, on buildings or on the ground, within the city limits of
<br />the city of Paris, Texas, which require the issuance of such permits under Chapter 28 of the Code
<br />of Ordinances of the City of Paris incident to their erection, reconstruction, or placement, shall
<br />be and is hereby suspended, and a moratorium is hereby imposed prohibiting the erection,
<br />reconstruction, or placement of ground signs, pole signs, signboards of all kinds, billboards,
<br />torpedo signs, or electric signs, on buildings or on the ground, whether requiring a permit or not,
<br />within the city limits of the city of Paris for the period of time specified herein.
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<br />Section 3. That the duration of the suspension of the issuance of permits for, and the
<br />moratorium prohibiting the erection, reconstruction, or placement of ground signs, pole signs,
<br />signboards of all kinds, billboards, torpedo signs, or electric signs, as imposed by Section 2 of this
<br />ordinance, shall be for a period of sixty (60) days following the effective date of this ordinance,
<br />or for a greater or shorter duration as subsequently provided by further action of the City Council
<br />of the City of Paris.
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<br />Section 4. That the City Manager, City Attorney, and the City staff shall be and are hereby
<br />instructed during the pendency of the suspension of the issuance of permits and the moratorium
<br />herein imposed, to develop and propose new regulations for the future erection, reconstruction,
<br />and placement of ground signs, pole signs, signboards of all kinds, billboards, torpedo signs,
<br />electric signs, and all other signs within the city limits ofthe city of Paris, and to present said
<br />regulations to the City Council for their consideration and adoption.
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<br />Section 5. That this ordinance shall not be construed to prevent the erection or placement
<br />of political signs, approved cloth or banner signs, real estate signs, or signs associated with the sale
<br />ofreal estate.
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<br />Section 6. That there is hereby established an appeal and variance process from the
<br />provisions of Section 2 of this ordinance dealing with suspension of permits and a moratorium.
<br />The City Manager or his designee shall be, and he is hereby authorized to receive an application
<br />for a variance from any person or entity desiring to erect, reconstruct, or place a sign in the City
<br />of Paris which would be subject to the restrictions of Section 2 of this ordinance. As justification
<br />for a variance, special consideration shall be given to those signs intended to serve new businesses;
<br />signs contracted for construction prior to the date of this ordinance; signs whose construction
<br />would be generally consistent with newly proposed sign regulations; and instances of substantial
<br />hardship caused by the restrictions of Section 2 of this ordinance. The burden of proof should be
<br />on the applicant. The City Manager or his designee may at their discretion conduct an informal
<br />hearing, or decide whether or not to grant the variance solely on the basis of the application and
<br />written material provided by the applicant. The City Manager or his designee may request
<br />additional information. Following the receipt ofa complete application, the City Manager or his
<br />designee shall render a decision within three (3) business days and advise the applicant
<br />accordingly. The City Manager or his designee may grant, deny, or modify and grant any
<br />variance request. The City Manager may at his discretion establish standing criteria for the
<br />issuance of a variance. Any applicant dissatisfied with the City Manager's or his designee's
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