3. The authority may from time to time adopt, modify, amend or repeal regulations governing the issuance of permits or renewals thereof for the erection and maintenance of advertising devices. Such regulations shall be designed to effectuate the general purposes of this article and the specific objectives and standards hereinafter set forth:

1. (a) To provide for maximum visibility along the thruway system and connecting roads or highways;
2. (b) To prevent unreasonable distraction of operators of motor vehicles;
3. (c) To prevent confusion with regard to traffic lights, signs or signals or otherwise interfere with the effectiveness of traffic regulations;
4. (d) To preserve and enhance the natural scenic beauty or the aesthetic features of the thruway system and adjacent areas;
5. (e) To promote maximum safety, comfort and well-being of the users of the thruway.

4. To effectuate the purposes of this section, the authority may limit the application of any regulation adopted hereunder to exclude or include, in whole or in part:

1. (a) Specified areas of the thruway system based upon use, population density, nature of the surrounding community, special conditions prevailing therein, or such other factors as may make differentiation or separate classification or regulation necessary, proper or desirable;
2. (b) Particular types or classes of advertising devices based upon size, design, lighting or such other factors as may make differentiation or separate classification or regulation necessary, proper or desirable;
3. (c) The erection or maintenance of advertising devices on particular sections or portions of the thruway system.

4. (d) Notwithstanding any contrary provisions of this section, the authority shall permit the erection of not more than nine advertising billboard signs in the city of New Rochelle along interstate route ninety-five where the location and erection of such signs are:

   1. (1) consistent with and part of an urban renewal program which decreases the total number of advertising billboard signs in the renewal area;
   2. (2) approved by such city;
   3. (3) part of the subject of a United States District Court settlement order regarding the regulation of such signs within such city; and
   4. (4) consistent with the size, lighting, spacing and all other requirements of federal law, including those established in the agreements entered into by the state pursuant to sections eighty-six and eighty-eight of the highway law.

7. The authority by regulation may exclude from the coverage of this section advertising devices which it finds do not interfere with safety on the thruway system or contravene any of the other standards set forth in this section, including but not limited to

1. (a) Advertising devices which are to be erected or maintained on property for the purpose of setting forth or indicating

   1. (1) The name and address of the owner, lessee or occupant of such property, or
   2. (2) The name or type of business or profession conducted on such property, or
   3. (3) Information required or authorized by law to be posted or displayed thereon.
2. (b) Advertising devices which are not visible from any traveled portion of the thruway system;
3. (c) Advertising devices indicating the sale or leasing of the property upon which they are placed.
4. (d) Directional or other official signs and signals erected or maintained by the state or other public agency having jurisdiction.