Commission deadlocks on billboard stipulation removal; application tabled

A request to remove a 2007 zoning stipulation that prohibits billboards on an 8.25-acre B-2 property resulted first in a tie and then in a unanimous vote to table the application.

Jonathan Jones, representing Lead Engineering and the property owners, said the owners want to remove the original stipulation and install a billboard on the northwest corner of the tract. He said one nearby residence falls within a 300-foot residential setback but that the property owner provided a letter of agreement from that resident. “So at this time it’s basically a request to remove that zoning stipulation,” Jones said.

Commissioners and staff discussed state and local spacing rules; staff noted Georgia Department of Transportation spacing on the state highway requires roughly 750 feet between billboards and that only one billboard would be allowed at that location. The commission also acknowledged written public correspondence expressing concerns.

A motion to approve the removal with two stipulations resulted in a 2-2 tie and therefore failed. The applicant then moved to rescind the motion and table the application; the commission approved tabling the item to the next Planning Commission meeting by a 4-0 vote to provide fuller member participation.

The item will return to the Planning Commission at its next scheduled meeting for further discussion and a potential vote.