[{"_1":2,"_87":-5,"_88":-5},"loaderData",{"_3":4,"_26":27},"root",{"_5":6,"_17":10,"_18":19,"_20":21,"_22":10,"_23":-5,"_24":-5,"_25":10},"user",{"_7":8,"_9":10,"_11":10,"_12":-5,"_13":-5,"_14":15,"_16":-5},"roles",[],"isAuthenticated",false,"isPremium","planName","subscriptionStatus","featureFlags",{},"insightsBudget","isDevelopmentHost","userPreferences",{},"recaptchaSiteKey","6LcvOJcUAAAAAHsB-gPGfGktcRlKpH7OTIU_dMTD","isImpersonating","impersonation","affiliateStatus","isFreedomPortal","routes/v2/article/layout",{"_28":29,"_30":31},"notFound",true,"relatedArticles",[32,75],{"_33":34,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":40,"_41":42,"_43":44,"_45":46,"_47":48,"_49":50,"_51":52,"_53":54,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":60,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":66,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},"mediaId",6744174,"mediaKeyId","5493458-7906bf407140a31b96df7d4191bc4a44","parentId",5493458,"title","Council hears first reading of downtown sign amendment that would bar internally lit neon tubing","audioSeconds",149,"startMs",914000,"endMs",1063000,"viewUrl","/Search/View?dp=1&key=5493458-7906bf407140a31b96df7d4191bc4a44&start=914&end=1063","thumbnailUrl","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/5493458-7906bf407140a31b96df7d4191bc4a44/thumbnail_914000.jpg","articleUrl","/articles/6744174/North-Augusta/Aiken-County/South-Carolina/Council-hears-first-reading-of-downtown-sign-amendment-that-would-bar-internally-lit-neon-tubing","mediaUrl","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6744174-f9c1c2e690927d7292baa1aa579c99da/orig.mp4?Expires=1770448571&Signature=XV0~os~GFt5BoU93GcpV4yKmQ80rDLNjNKteUtyzgWKjHQFLH~uoUmS4rBSAId8g7gFyMqa8zJ~SCJOTucTJwu4aYv82RX0JSMTTuFfyglInyMqrM23TulYuaNVxneNdd6r~iXdoex1TNwFiWajgq0s91v5dyr-MRm~1SLWeWPAFdhIfgicfTTutkoF-7EUFpOSeyio2Yyinz~HxnRzyigZ4rUfKPoDKOMC3Yd5F9X859O-nICYGHSUhJkZuLeEFjKUJZ8GiODFu3WLPgLTXynoUtINdVqqSrNh5CyvRE6RSsIxL06BOvcD4gUhffS4D5LacP7BEycD9IJlOg2~SaQ__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","author","City of North Augusta Public Information, SC","date","2025-07-29T11:32:13Z","article","A proposed text amendment to the city's sign code that would remove allowance for internally illuminated neon tubing in downtown mixed-use zoning districts was presented to the council at the July 28 study session.

Planning staff member Tommy Paradise told council the amendment deletes language that currently permits neon tubing downtown and would limit downtown signs to externally illuminated types. \"Neon, to me, is internally lit because you have the gas tubing there that heats up and emits from the inside out, so it would not be allowed,\" Paradise said.

Paradise said the Planning Commission initiated the change after receiving variance requests from business owners who wanted illuminated signs downtown. He said commission members were concerned that, if halo illumination were prohibited, businesses might instead install internally illuminated neon signs. \"They wanted to take that off the board,\" Paradise said, explaining the commission's motivation.

Council members asked whether halo-style or \"halo\" illumination would be considered internal or external under the proposed wording. Paradise said halo illumination typically shines light into the wall behind letters and is treated as internally illuminated for the purposes of the amendment; the commission is continuing a \"deep dive\" on halo illumination, color, and brightness standards.

Paradise said the proposed prohibition would apply only to the downtown mixed-use 1 and 2 districts; neon tubing would remain allowed in other zoning districts unless council chose to broaden the ban. He said the Planning Commission plans further study and could make a recommendation to council after advertising and a formal vote at a future commission meeting.

No council vote was recorded at the study session; the amendment was presented as a first reading and will return after the Planning Commission completes its review.

Council and planning staff said they were aiming to balance downtown character and business needs as the commission develops any final proposal.

","mediaType","Video","parentTitle","City of North Augusta Council Study Session 07/28/2025","oneSentenceSummary","A proposed text amendment to the city's sign code that would remove allowance for internally illuminated neon tubing in downtown mixed-use zoning districts was presented to the council at the July 28 study session.","taxTitle","North Augusta, Aiken County, South Carolina","taxId",56877,"location","headline","","shortSummary",{"_33":76,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":77,"_41":78,"_43":79,"_45":80,"_47":81,"_49":82,"_51":83,"_53":84,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":85,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":86,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},6744169,"Council advised of proposed donation of 2002 Parks & Recreation bus to Sertoma Club; council-level approval required",143,1417000,1560000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=5493458-7906bf407140a31b96df7d4191bc4a44&start=1417&end=1560","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/5493458-7906bf407140a31b96df7d4191bc4a44/thumbnail_1417000.jpg","/articles/6744169/North-Augusta/Aiken-County/South-Carolina/Council-advised-of-proposed-donation-of-2002-Parks-Recreation-bus-to-Sertoma-Club-council-level-approval-required","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6744169-bd46bb8b1c5518891ab9d660d4257a66/orig.mp4?Expires=1770448571&Signature=OpaZrgyIEqItdUrbrd~6ssoXyE1uJ~zQi7TYbxrAKI8NlMOe5oO9miFWpteAJ9u~pZ84Jg4moihj0CR3-sN2~F3mi54Et9d9Lolr6Du1YW6aZQlb3MEC492MZLroj8n3UFPCC4OCAHJBRpCaZi1Q2MNJo4lU~LTW1CCnn8ednf24ZhMEzrJ-dZU2bBNI0narydxBIiTcs2vvDFh6E4UWp3nBXGu2EInTHE4X~Kkad4bvnWo1LHzYfwgwIoEe21BooI2Juu8kkqyUfayosmcC~tqX58ozO4J1iewJ8lNp1UggS0uwnuLJ3alS25k2ou~ESt9iFwbIM1hm-Q~d6gQgww__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","City staff presented a resolution (2025-26) at the July 28 study session that would authorize the donation of a surplus Parks & Recreation bus to the Sertoma Club of North Augusta, subject to council approval and the club's willingness to accept the vehicle.

City Administrator Jim Clifford described the 2002 bus as low mileage but nearly 24 years old and said the city has borne insurance and maintenance costs while the vehicle's only regular use was transporting students and children to a summer camp. \"It's been basically a money ***** considering we're not using it for any other purposes,\" Clifford said, summarizing the administration's view of the asset's limited utility.

Clifford said the donation, if approved, would transfer the vehicle in \"as is\" condition and the Sertoma Club would be responsible for insurance and parking; the bus would not remain on city property. If the Sertoma Club is unable or unwilling to accept the bus, the vehicle would revert to the city's standard surplus process (GovDeals auction).

Clifford said he had discussed the option with the mayor and several council members during the budget process and that the matter requires council action because it is a disposition of city property. The resolution was presented for council consideration at the next scheduled meeting; no council vote was taken at the study session.

","City staff presented a resolution (2025-26) that would authorize donation of a surplus 2002 Parks & Recreation bus to the Sertoma Club of North Augusta, pending the club's acceptance and council approval.","actionData","errors"]

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Council hears first reading of downtown sign amendment that would bar internally lit neon tubing

Council advised of proposed donation of 2002 Parks & Recreation bus to Sertoma Club; council-level approval required