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Smyrna council extends moratorium on freestanding sign permits while ordinance is legally reviewed
Summary
City staff cited an ongoing legal challenge to portions of the city’s sign ordinance (Chapter 82) and council approved Resolution 2024‑011 to extend a 60‑day moratorium on receiving and processing freestanding sign permit applications beginning Sept. 12, 2024.
The Smyrna Mayor and Council voted unanimously to extend a moratorium on accepting and processing applications for freestanding sign permits while the city completes a legal review of challenged sign ordinance provisions.
City staff told the council a legal challenge had been filed against portions of Chapter 82 of the Smyrna Code of Ordinances. Joe Bennett (city administrator) said the council initially adopted a 60‑day moratorium on July 15, 2024, to allow legal review and that the review was not yet complete. Staff presented Resolution 2024‑011 to extend the moratorium for an additional 60 days beginning Sept. 12, 2024. Bennett said the resolution would authorize the mayor or mayor pro tem to sign and execute all related documents.
Councilmember Lindley moved to approve the extension; the motion was seconded and passed 4–0. The council did not debate substantive changes to the sign ordinance at the meeting; the extension preserves the city’s position while legal counsel completes its review.
The resolution is an administrative pause on permitting for freestanding signs and does not by itself amend the city code. Staff indicated the moratorium and the ongoing review are separate from any eventual legislative action to revise ordinance language.
