For the past year or so, some businesses in Peachtree City have used employees or contractors to hold promotional signs along the road in an effort to drum up more business.
That practice may become significantly curtailed — perhaps even banned — after Thursday night’s City Council meeting. City staff is recommending that such walking signs, sometimes held by costumed mascots, be limited to four times a year and for no more than five consecutive days at a time, among other regulations.
City staff has also prepared an ordinance that would enact a complete ban, as some residents have urged, leaving the door open for that possibility.
The walking sign regulations were drawn up as a compromise after business owners told the Planning Commission how effective “walking” signs are, particularly in pointing out businesses that are located off the beaten path.
Some residents, however, have complained to the city that walking signs are tacky and not in keeping with the city’s keen eye toward aesthetics.
The regulatory ordinance, if approved by council, would limit the hand-held signs to six square feet in size. Also, the persons holding the signs must be at least 25 feet behind the back of the curb or the edge of the pavement.
The walking signs would also be limited to use only on the property upon which a business is located, which will hurt businesses that lack the highway road frontage such as The Picnic Basket, which has been using its walking sign at the intersection of Ga. Highway 74 and Kelly Drive, even though it’s located off Kelly Drive.
Businesses deploying the walking signs also would be required to get a permit from the city and they must have written approval from the owner of the property upon which the sign will be displayed, according to a staff memo presented to council members in advance of Thursday’s meeting. A fee will be assessed on the permit as well.
In addition to applying to businesses, the new rules would also apply to non-profit and civic clubs, the memo said. That means car washes, Scout cookie and popcorn sales, and any group that wants to hold signs along the road to advertise their event.
The new regulations would not become part of the city’s sign ordinance, but instead would become part of the outdoor display ordinance which in part regulates how and when merchants can display their goods outside of their stores.
