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Council denies sign variance for 5406 East Mountain Street, citing precedent and compliance concerns
Summary
Council rejected a request to allow more than two signs at 5406 East Mountain Street after staff said several signs had been erected without permits and the planning commission had not approved all requested signs; the motion to deny was unanimous.
The Stone Mountain City Council voted unanimously to deny a variance request that would have allowed a business at 5406 East Mountain Street to keep more than the two signs permitted under the city sign ordinance.
Planning staff told the council that several signs had been installed without permits and that the planning commission had approved only three of the signs; under the code property owners are generally entitled to two signs. Staff recommended denial unless the applicant applied for the signs that conform to the ordinance or requested specific permitted signage.
Council members cited the risk of setting a precedent if code enforcement cases were routinely resolved by after-the-fact variances. One council member noted that allowing ongoing violations to be regularized without consequences could undermine enforcement.
A motion to deny Ordinance 2026-11 (the variance for 5406 East Mountain Street) carried unanimously. Staff said the owner may choose which two signs to keep and must submit permit applications for those signs to come into compliance.
