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Villa Rica planning panel approves most sign variances for Peach State Truck Centers, denies oversized retaining‑wall sign
Summary
The Villa Rica Planning Commission approved seven of ten sign variances for Peach State Truck Centers' new facility at 460 Edge Road but denied a proposed 391‑square‑foot retaining‑wall sign that exceeds the 20% enlargement allowed by code.
The Villa Rica Planning Commission voted to recommend approval of seven variances for signage at a new Peach State Truck Centers facility at 460 Edge Road and denied a requested variance for a larger retaining‑wall sign.
Bridal Carter, interim community development director, summarized the application, telling the commission the site is “the most visible property along I‑20 going into Villa Rica” and that applicants requested variances for wall, building, ground and wayfinding signage for a large truck service facility. Carter said four of the 10 requested variances met code limits and that the remaining six required the commission’s review.
The project developer and contractor said the facility’s size and frontage drove the request. Steve Nelson of ProBuilding Systems, the design‑build contractor, said the building is much larger than a typical commercial structure and that “if we had little bitty signs on the building, you wouldn’t be able to see them from anywhere.” Greg Allheart, chief operating officer for Peach State Truck Centers, told commissioners the retaining‑wall letters and the larger building sign would be metal fabrications and described the building’s highest point as about 45 feet.
Commissioners and staff discussed the single retaining‑wall sign that faces Interstate 20. Carter restated that the applicant proposed a retaining‑wall sign of 391 square feet while the code’s standard allowance is 300 square feet, creating a variance request of about 91 square feet. Carter also noted that the code allows staff to recommend up to a 20% increase, but anything beyond that required the commission’s action and could later require city council review.
A resident, Joshua Evans, spoke in favor during public comment, saying the facility needs large signage so truck drivers can find the site. After discussion, a motion to approve variances 1 through 7 passed unanimously. Commissioners then voted to deny the eighth variance for the retaining‑wall sign; the denial passed on a 4‑1 vote.
The commission’s recommendation on variances that exceed staff authority will be forwarded for final action consistent with the city’s code and any additional review required by city council.
