HomeMy WebLinkAbout04-27-2000 Meeting
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PUBLIC HEARING -
AMENDMENT TO COMPREHENSIVE
ZONING ORDINANCE ENTITLED
SIGNS
REGENCY MALL - April 27, 2000
6:30 P. M.
PRESENT: Hons. Bob Young, Mayor; 1. Brigham and Kuhlke, ARC
Commissioners; George Patty, Planning Director; Randy Oliver, Administrator; M.
Armstrong, Planning Commission Chairwoman, and Lena Bonner, Clerk of Commission.
Also Present: Raphael James, WJBF Television.
Mr. Fred Kennedy, 18 Bristlecone Way, Augusta, Ga., spoke in favor ofthe
passage of the Ordinance in order to make Augusta a more beautiful place to live.
Mr. George Patty made a presentation outlining the reasons why the Sign
Ordinance is being amended. He stated that there are signs that would be excepted from
the Ordinance and allowances would be made for temporary signs. He outlined the
regulations for permanent, free-standing signs and building mounted signs in the various
zones. He also noted that the current regulations regarding billboards would essentially
not change. He stated that the Ordinance also outlines enforcement and penalties for
violations.
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Mr. Pat Timmerman, 2712 Hillcrest Avenue, inquired how the numbers for square
footages of signs were established. Mr. Patty replied that they were established by field
observations and the regulations of other communities regarding their signs.
Mr. Henry Colley, 2521 Tupelo Drive, asked how distances were measured. Mr.
Patty answered that the sign location would be within 100 feet of a property line.
Mr. Russell Trapp, 333 East Boundary, asked if a non-conforming sign would
have to be tom down before any additional signs could be added. Mr. Patty agreed that it
would and said that portable signs would be allowed for a certain period of time.
Ms. Venus Cain, 2604 Eastboume Ct., asked if subdivisions would be allowed to
have entrance signs. Mr. Patty replied that those type signs would be 24 sq. ft. in area
and six feet in height, and they could be illuminated only by indirect incandescent
lighting.
Ms. Frances Sizemore, 3505 Greenwood Dr., asked if their present signs at
Pepperidge Subdivision would be allowed and Mr. Patty stated they it would be allowed
to stay as non-conforming signs.
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Mr. Charles Allen, Evans, Ga., asked that if you have a non-conforming sign
which was legal at the time this Ordinance is adopted, could it be repainted, refaced and
relighted as long as the dimensions remain the same. Mr. Patty replied that it could.
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Mr. Michael Trapp, 908 Lake Terrace Dr., asked the difference between a
portable sign and a free-standing sign. Mr. Patty replied that a portable sign is designed
with wheels and can be transported to other locations rather than being affixed to the
ground. He noted that present signs can be converted to permanent signs. Mr. Trapp also
asked why real estate and political signs were exempt. Mr. Patty said that real estate
signs are temporary and usually provide a necessary function. Regarding political signs,
they are regulated for a certain length of time after an election.
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Mr. Marty Koger, Evans, Ga., stated that there will be a lot ofreirnaging for
Amoco Oil Co. and asked how would these changes be affected. Mr. Patty stated that the
canopy signs would be treated just like a building mounted sign and a decision made on
the flip signs to designate them as non-conforming signs or temporary signs. He stated
that if a present sign is legal, then it would be established as a non-conforming sign.
Ms. Davida Johnson, 2100 Sanders Rd., asked that residential areas be protected
from sign encroachment.
Mr. Sam Booher, Martinez, Ga., expressed concern about the lighted signage
along Riverwalk Parkway.
Mr. Pat Timmerman, 2712 Hillcrest Avenue, expressed support for the Ordinance
with the exception of the size restrictions in B-1 and B-2 which he noted should be
increased.
Mr. Henry Colley, 2521 Tupelo Dr., noted that the square footage requirements
will make it difficult to read some of the signs.
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Mr. Jim Knudsen, Evans, Ga., noted that he needs his portable sign to remain in
business.
Ms. Yvonne Brantley, 2724 Brendle Ct., asked if the regulations applied to
churches and was told that signs would be limited to 24 feet in a residential zone and 100
or 200 feet in a commercial zone depending on the zoning.
Ms. Sandy Mercer, 3533 Hwy. 88, Blythe, Ga., noted support for the Ordinance.
Mr. Russell Trapp expressed support for raising the amount of square footages.
Mr. Marty Koger asked that signs not be criticized because they support
successful businesses in commercial areas.
Ms. Mary Lou Garren, 2322 Kings Way, expressed support for trying to make
signs uniform throughout the County.
Dr. Tom Swift, 3009 Bransford Rd., noted his strong support for the Ordinance.
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Mr. Michael Trapp noted that the temporary sign ordinance is unfair to small
businesses and may put them out of business.
Mr. Nathaniel Charles, 3826 Crest Dr., noted that people will find the businesses
they wish to patronize regardless of signage.
Mr. Sam Booher asked that buildings be required to place their address numbers
on their buildings in order for people to locate them.
Mr. J. Brigham and the Mayor thanked the audience for coming out to the
meeting to provide their input.
ADJOURNMENT: There being no further business, the meeting was adjourned.
Lena J. Bonner
Clerk of Commission
NWM
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