Resident urges replacement of decorative neighborhood signposts; DOT cites reflectivity standards and offers follow‑up

Larry Smith, a resident of Carriage Oaks subdivision, addressed the Paulding County Board of Commissioners during the public participation period to report that decorative street sign posts installed under a 2013 county permit were removed by the county Department of Transportation and replaced with standard metal posts without prior notice. Smith said the HOA paid roughly $4,800 to manufacture and install the decorative assemblies under a valid permit and that only one post exhibited minor bolt damage before removal. He asked the county to require the DOT to replace the decorative posts and said the HOA would cooperate to restore them.

A DOT representative identified as Mr. Jones responded that the removal centered on retroreflectivity and illumination standards (safety at night). Jones said traffic signs have a useful period and that the reflective material used in the decorative signs typically lasts eight to ten years; Georgia’s intense sun and heat can shorten that life span. He said sign crews attempted to contact the original HOA contact who he believed moved away in 2020, then tried additional contacts and ultimately replaced the decorative posts with standard metal posts to meet safety standards. Jones told Mr. Smith that staff had a proposal to try to rectify the situation and invited further discussion after the meeting.

The board thanked Mr. Smith for raising the issue and accepted DOT’s offer to follow up; no formal action was taken at the meeting to compel replacement of the decorative posts.