Movie and television productions in Peachtree City are getting a rare OK from the city: permission to place temporary signs in city right of way.
Studio officials need the signs to help direct production crews, employees and extras to locations where shooting will occur, city staff said.
Because the industry standard for such a sign has been a yellow sign with black letters, they have been confiscated by city employees shortly after they are installed, explained Community Development Director David Rast.
City ordinance requires temporary signs to be of “brown and buff” colors, as can often be seen on signs indicating “house for sale.”
The new language allows signs for the movie and film industry to be approved on an individual basis as to their color and the length they will be displayed.
The change was made after consultations with a representative of the Lifetime TV show “Drop Dead Diva” which has been filming both in various locations and also at a sound studio at Peachtree City’s Falcon Field airport. Other filming companies were also consulted, along with the Georgia Department of Transportation, officials said.
The film and movie studios will not be charged a fee for the permit, though Councilman Eric Imker argued they should not be exempt, and should have to pay like everyone else needing a permit from the city.
“We don’t want to look like we’re nickel and diming them,” replied Councilwoman Vanessa Fleisch.
Mayor Don Haddix said he also didn’t want to charge the studios for sign permits.
Rast said he thinks the productions are well-received by the community and also bring revenue to the area.
The matter of charging a fee for the signs will be settled at a future meeting.
