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Council defers vote on National Sign Plazas directional sign program after concerns over term, locations and enforcement
Summary
Smyrna council put off final approval of a five‑year contract with National Sign Plazas for a paid directional sign program after members requested more information on contract length, trial terms and placement review. Council voted to defer 30 days and asked staff to get examples from nearby plac
Smyrna’s Town Council deferred action for 30 days on a proposed agreement with National Sign Plazas Inc. to install and maintain directional sign plazas in the town’s rights‑of‑way. Councilmembers raised concerns about the proposed contract term, potential impacts to private property owners, enforcement of temporary yard signs and where plaza signs would be sited.
The vendor presentation described a privately financed program in which developers and builders would pay to use panels on modular sign plazas that the company would install, maintain and relocate as needed. Patrick Fuller of National Sign Plazas told council the company has one installation in Tennessee (Pleasant View) and said a three‑year term might be possible but that shorter terms would be difficult because of up‑front fabrication costs.
Council members repeatedly asked whether the sign program would reduce weekend “yard signs” for open houses and whether private property owners would still be permitted to host temporary signs. Staff and the vendor confirmed that private property signage is still permitted on private property but that enforcement of unpermitted signs is limited by current code enforcement resources. Town staff said council approved an extra code enforcement position in the current fiscal year intended in part to improve weekend sign enforcement.
Members also asked about sight‑distance and right‑of‑way impacts; staff said the town would retain final approval of plaza locations and could deny placements that created safety issues. The original contract term had been presented as 10 years; staff reported it was negotiated down to five years and that the contract’s termination clauses require ordinance changes or material contractor breaches to terminate early. Council asked staff to seek whether the company would accept a 3‑year pilot or other shorter term and to produce examples of nearby municipalities’ terms and locations.
After the vendor answered questions and noted the company’s maintenance responsibilities and that there would be no direct cost to the town, Councilmember Jerome moved to defer the item for 30 days to collect further information. The motion passed; staff will return with follow‑up information, a list of nearby implementations, and a proposed shorter trial period if available.
