Commission not Budging on Amending Sign Ordinance
Residents and business owners of Toccoa may soon be receiving citations if they refuse to comply with City’s Sign Ordinance.
City Marshal Lindsey Owens, who recently filled the position, has been making waves throughout the City as he polices the Sign Ordinance.
During the recent Toccoa City Commission work session, some business owners came out expressing divergent interpretations of how the ordinance should be enforced.
One in particular, Richard Towe, owner of Towe’s Engraving & Vinyl Lettering, in Toccoa, complained that the ordinance has started interfering with his business.
“Since this sign ordinance came along its hurt my business. That takes food out of Richard’s mouth. That interferes with Richard’s happiness. Because of the ordinance, I can’t expand my business, it’s keeping me from offering more services,” Towe said.
Towe came before the commission with several photographs of vacant buildings with dilapidated signs, arguing that the commission should see that the vacant buildings should be addressed first when implementing the ordinance.
Commissioner Jeanette Jamison recommended the commission revisit the ordinance and consider amending it; however, several other commissioners disagreed.
Commissioner Gail Fry, explained that she had overseen the ordinance while it was being written.
“I was on the planning committee when this ordinance was written, and we looked at several other cities to see what they allowed, and we worked really hard on this, for almost five years. I think if we start changing ordinances that’ll just open the door for trouble,” Fry said.
Jamison advised that if the city would continue to enforce this ordinance, under the leadership of Owens, then all violators should be addressed.
The other commissioners agreed.
No action was taken, other than a reminder that violators who refuse to bring their signage to compliance will continue to be issued citations.
For a copy of the city ordinances visit cityoftoccoa.com/city-ordinances.cfm.