Notwithstanding anything contained in this article to the contrary, any sign erected
pursuant to the provisions of this article may, at the option of the applicant, contain
either a noncommercial message unrelated to the business located on the premises where
the sign is erected or a commercial message related to the business and located on
the business premises. The noncommercial message may occupy the entire sign face,
or any portion thereof. The sign face may be changed from commercial to noncommercial
messages as frequently as desired by the owner of the sign, provided that the size
and design criteria conform to the requirements of the applicable zoning designation
and the appropriate permits are obtained. For purposes of this article, noncommercial
messages, by their very nature, shall never be deemed off-premises signs.
