Town reviews private home‑builder directional sign program; company says program costs no city funds
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Summary
A vendor presented a turnkey paid wayfinding program to replace weekend contractor signs for new-home communities. The vendor said the program uses about 120 panels initially, is locally managed, and is paid by participating builders; the town retains final approval of design and locations.
A private vendor, National Sun Plaza (representative Patrick Fuller), presented a paid, managed directional-signage program July 21 to direct prospective buyers to active new-home communities and reduce illegal weekend signage.
Patrick Fuller described the program as a turnkey “home builder” wayfinding system that is implemented at no cost to the town; builder participation pays program fees and an administrative share is remitted to the town. He said the firm has implemented similar programs in about 70 municipalities and that a fully implemented program for Smyrna would involve roughly 120 panel locations and average panel billing of about $90–$100 per panel per month paid by builders.
Why it matters: council members and staff said the town already struggles with illegal temporary signs and that a managed program could reduce that enforcement burden and improve aesthetics. Council members asked how the program would interact with increased code enforcement the town is planning; staff said the town will retain final approval of design and placement and that the program is locally managed with quarterly reports to the town.
Key points and clarifications: - Cost and funding: Patrick Fuller said “it is no cost to the city or the town” and that home builders pay participation fees; the company remits an administrative fee to the town. The vendor said his Nashville office will manage local operations. - Participation and enforcement: Staff said the town expects about 95% participation among builders in other markets; councilmembers noted that the program’s success depends on the town enforcing illegal signage concurrently. The town plans to hire additional code-enforcement staff in the fiscal year and will continue to remove illegal temporary signs. - Design and control: David (town staff) and Patrick Fuller said the town will have final approval over sign design, branding elements and sign locations; town staff will be given a sign-location plan for approval. - Timing: if approved, the vendor estimated implementation would begin about 60–90 days after contract execution.
Discussion versus decision: the council received the presentation and discussed enforcement and location concerns; the workshop transcript records questions and clarifications but no contract award or vote.
Clarifying details: Patrick Fuller said the average route has about eight panels and that a developer typically contracts for a 12-month initial term; he said panels are maintained year-round, including landscaping at bases, and are breakaway structures to avoid liability for the town.