Hiawassee to hold first reading of city’s sign mandate

HIAWASSEE, Ga. – Hiawassee Council is scheduled to hold the first reading of the city’s sign ordinance amendment at their monthly work session, Monday, Jan. 28. The council is currently in the process of refining the mandate.

While numerous topics related to the ordinance are in discussion, of particular note is the definition of what constitutes a temporary sign, regulations regarding banners, and the amount of “yard sign” advertising a business will be permitted.

Although tentative, the terms applied to a temporary sign are listed as any sign or device not permanently attached to the ground or other permanent structure designed to be mobile or to remain in place for a limited time. This includes, but is not limited to, signs designed to be transported regularly from one location to another, signs designed with wheels, regardless of whether the wheels remain attached to the sign, or signs tethered to an existing structure.

Animated, digital, and billboard signage are expected to be prohibited. During a recent council meeting, the issue of whether the city’s current animated signs would be subject to the decree if a business was purchased by new owners. It was stated that the sign in question would be considered a part of the property and would not fall under the revised regulation.

The proposed permit fee is written at $5.00 per square foot.

Pertaining to applications, the current model reads that, “the City shall process all sign permit applications within 30 business days of the City’s actual receipt of a completed application and accompanying sign permit fee. The clerk shall give notice to the applicant of the decision of the City…If the City fails to act within the 30 business day period, the permit shall be deemed to have been granted.”

The sign ordinance draft concludes as follows.

“All signs shall be maintained in good condition as to present a neat and orderly appearance. The city may, after due notice, issue a citation to any permittee for any sign which shows gross neglect or becomes dilapidated. Such due notice shall be in writing, shall specify the sign and location, and shall state that the sign has not been properly maintained. The city shall give the permittee thirty (30) days to rectify the condition or remove the dilapidated sign before issuing a citation. The city may issue a citation for violation of this ordinance by any sign erected, altered, converted, or used in violation of this ordinance. Any person violating any provision of this ordinance shall be liable for a fine of one hundred fifty dollars ($150) for each violation. Each day a sign is posted in violation of this ordinance shall constitute a separate violation.”

The mandate is expected to reach its final reading and adoption at the council’s regular monthly meeting Feb. 5, 2019.