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Henry County BZA unanimously approves two off-site advertising signs for Grey Outdoors
Summary
The Henry County Board of Zoning Appeals unanimously approved two special-use permits for off-site advertising signs proposed by Grey Outdoors LLC, imposing conditions including a five-year exercise requirement, removal after 12 months of vacancy, and a required surety. Staff said the signs are consistent with the Comprehensive Plan.
The Henry County Board of Zoning Appeals on April 29 unanimously granted two special-use permits to Grey Outdoors LLC for off-site advertising signs at 4640 Greensboro Road (Ridgeway District) and 6345 A.L. Philpott Highway (Iriswood District).
Staff presented both applications under Section 21-215 of the Henry County Zoning Ordinance and said each property lies within a designated Growth Area in the county Comprehensive Plan. Staff recommended three minimum conditions for approval: the permit must be exercised within five years; if a sign becomes vacant and unused for 12 consecutive months it must be removed including its support structure; and the applicant must submit a form of surety acceptable to the Planning Director prior to issuance of sign permits.
Wayne Farris, representing Grey Outdoors LLC, described the company’s proposed 200-square-foot, two-sided vinyl sign with uplighting and said the company has been operating for about 20 years. He told the board that while there are parties interested in advertising, “they cannot make any permanent arrangements at this time.” Farris added that “most of the companies that advertise are local, which benefits the community and creates more tax revenue for the County.”
After a brief question-and-answer period — in which no members of the public opposed either proposal — the board closed the hearings and voted on each permit. For the Greensboro Road site, Paul Setliff moved to grant the Special Use Permit with the three staff-recommended conditions; Deborah Hairston seconded. For the A.L. Philpott Highway site, Jay Hudson moved to grant the permit; Paul Setliff seconded. Both motions passed by unanimous votes of 4-0, with one member absent.
The conditions attached to both approvals are intended to limit the risk of abandoned sign structures and to ensure local enforcement options through the required surety. The board did not set a specific date for installation; staff emphasized the five-year exercise window contained in the motions.
