Board of Zoning Appeals upholds denial of digital sign permit for 1125 West Main Street

The Board of Zoning Appeals on an administrative review upheld the denial of a permit for a proposed digital sign at 1125 West Main Street, the board heard. The applicant, identified in the record as Wesley Puckett, was not present for the hearing.

Tommy Lee, a board member who opened the item, asked the board’s attorney to explain the scope of administrative review. Andre Greben, the board’s attorney, told members the question before them was whether the building inspector or codes official erred when denying the signed permit application.

Walter Rutherford, the codes enforcement officer, testified that the city’s sign ordinance bars “flashing signs” in all zoning within the city limits and that a flashing sign is any sign that changes rather than remaining stationary. He also said a 24-square-foot size limit applies in C1 commercial districts. “No flashing signs are allowed in any zoning in the city limits,” Rutherford said.

Board members asked whether the 2024 changes to the city’s sign ordinance affected grandfathering; Rutherford said the new ordinance spells out the prohibition on flashing signs. Tommy Lee read the ordinance’s definition of a flashing sign for the record, clarifying that an illuminated sign on which artificial light is not maintained stationary and constant in intensity and color at all times in use falls within that definition.

After discussion, Greben moved to affirm the codes officer’s denial of the sign permit; the motion was seconded by Shirley. The board voted in favor and the motion passed, upholding the denial of the permit for the Puckett request.

Separately, Greben told the board he had spoken with the attorney for a different applicant, Roland, who was unable to attend. The board voted to table item 6 at the applicant’s request.

With no further business, the board adjourned.