Residents driving

Coweta's highways and byways may soon notice far fewer signs, thanks to

actions of the Coweta County Commission.

The commission

approved changes to the sign ordinance Tuesday morning that could drastically

alter the look of the landscape.

One of the

more noticeable changes involves real estate signs that are put on the

sides of highways directing potential customers to homes for sale.

The ordinance

still allows the signs, but they now must be spaced 500 feet apart.

Another change

is the prohibition of huge advertising gimmicks, such as inflatable Santa

Clauses and gorillas.

"My children

will hate this, but that's the way it has to be," said Commissioner

Leigh Schlumper.

The change

that caused the most debate concerns political signs. Previously, the

square footage of political signs was 16 feet. The amended ordinance now

limits the size to six square feet, which mirrors the city of Newnan's

ordinance.

Commissioner

Vernon "Mutt" Hunter said he favored allowing candidates who

would be running this year to fall under the old ordinance. Hunter said

many candidates had signs from years past that were 16 feet, and he felt

they should not be punished.

But the commission

passed the ordinance, despite Hunter's opposition to the political sign

size. Schlumper also said several meetings were conducted about changes

to the ordinance, but nobody showed up to express any opinions about the

changes.