Council approves limited sign‑ordinance changes, sends aesthetic and 'inflatable' rules back to planning

Villa Rica’s City Council on March 11 approved a set of targeted amendments to the city sign ordinance but declined to adopt more controversial aesthetic and inflatable‑sign rules at this meeting.

Planning staff proposed several changes after reviewing practices in neighboring jurisdictions. Council approved raising the sign‑review fee (staff proposed $50, aligning with nearby cities), removing a requirement that a physical permit sticker be affixed to each sign structure, and adding a clarifying word to temporary‑sign setback language intended to reduce sight‑line conflicts on busy roadways. Those specific changes (identified in the package as sections 9.03(f), 9.04 and 9.393) were approved by unanimous vote.

Councilmembers and members of the public spent the most time debating a proposed requirement that certain metal/vinyl wall signs include a border frame and a restrictive color palette for that border; several downtown business owners and councilmembers said the requirement would not achieve a consistent downtown look given existing building variation. Councilwoman Warmoth said she was “in favor of the sign ordinance except for 9.29, which refers to the wall signs and adding the border to the metal signs.” She and others recommended addressing dilapidated or unsafe signs directly rather than mandating decorative borders.

Public comments focused on safety and anchoring. One resident raised structural concerns, noting that adding a border increases sign weight and would require robust anchoring: “Galvanized screws rust. You’d have to use stainless,” the speaker told council, urging staff to add anchoring standards if the border requirement returns. Another resident said inflatables — the “wiggle‑man” inflatables and rooftop blowups — have come loose in storms and can create hazards; staff said the draft language would require secure anchoring for inflatables and would treat rooftop installations differently from residential holiday decorations.

After discussion, the council directed staff and planning to revisit the proposed wall‑sign border language, anchoring specifications, and rules for rooftop inflatables. The council approved the less contentious changes tonight and asked staff to return with revised language on borders and inflatables for additional public review.

Council asked for clearer enforcement language related to signs in disrepair and for code enforcement and planning staff to propose a streamlined definition and compliance timetable so businesses are given notice before enforcement action.