Villa Rica staff proposes sign ordinance changes; council debates borders, temporary signs and enforcement

Sean Daniels, the city's planning and zoning administrator, presented several proposed text amendments to Villa Rica's sign ordinance, citing field observations by code enforcement and a desire to align fees and practices with neighboring jurisdictions.

Daniels told council staff recommends increasing the sign review fee to $50 to align with neighboring cities, removing a requirement that sign permits be affixed to the sign (staff said stickers weather and become unreadable), and adding standards for thin metal/vinyl wall signs. The proposed wall-sign rules would require a border frame (materials such as PVC, aluminum, treated or composite wood, stainless steel, fiberglass, galvanized steel, or acrylic) and set minimum border widths scaled by sign face size (1 inch for signs up to 10 sq ft; 2 inches for 10'50 sq ft; 3 inches for 50'100 sq ft; 4 inches for 100+ sq ft).

Staff also proposed adding a 10-foot minimum from the public right-of-way and property lines for some temporary signs and clearer language covering inflatable/air-operated signs, including that inflatables must be securely affixed to ground to protect public safety.

Nut graf: Several council members praised the goal of durability and aesthetics but raised concerns about cost and unintended impacts on small downtown businesses and the historic overlay. Councilwoman Morweth (first referenced as Councilwoman Morweth during discussion) said sidewalk and window signs help draw foot traffic downtown and cautioned against adding permitting costs or restrictive color requirements that might burden small merchants. Daniels said borders would not be counted toward sign face size (staff would measure sign face before border) but confirmed that replacement signs after adoption would need to meet any new rules.

Council members asked for examples, more outreach to downtown business owners, and for staff to return with clarified language. Council agreed the inflatable-safety language is uncontroversial, but the border and temporary-sign setbacks require further review. Daniels and council agreed to continue discussion and to bring the text amendments back at the public hearing required by the zoning ordinance.

Ending: Staff will refine the draft ordinance language and provide examples and business outreach before the required public hearing; the item was not placed on the consent agenda.