---
date: 2002-06-10
title: June 10, 2002 Minutes
source: 2002-06/2002-06-10_June 10, 2002_Minutes.pdf
pages: 1
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June 10, 2002

REGULAR MEETING

CITY OF STOCKBRIDGE MINUTES
HENRY COUNTY, GEORGIA JUNE 10, 2002

The Regular Meeting of the Stockbridge City Council was held June 10, 2002 with Mayor R. G. Kelley
presiding. Members present were Harold Cochran, Fred Evans, W. A. Gardner, Ronnie Simmons and
Fletcher Turner.

Harold Cochran made a motion to convene; Ronnie Simmons seconded, and passed unanimously.

Harold Cochran made a motion to approve minutes of May 13, 2002 Regular Meeting; Fred Evans seconded,
and passed unanimously.

Mayor Kelley welcomed guests.

PLANNING AND ZONING

Annexations:

WHIDDON ASSOCIATION, LLLP, JONESBORO, GEORGIA requested rezoning from RA
(Rural/Agricultural) unincorporated Henry County to RA (Rural/Agricultural) within the City of Stockbridge.
The property is located at 364 East Atlanta Road in Land Lot 68 of the 12th District. The request is for
annexation into the City of Stockbridge.

Ronnie Simmons made a motion to approve rezoning; Fletcher Turner seconded and passed unanimously.

Ronnie Simmons made a motion to approve rezoning; Fred Evans seconded, and approved unanimously.
CYNTHIA RHAE BALLARD, STOCKBRIDGE, GEORGIA requested rezoning from R-3 (Single Family
Residential) unincorporated Henry County to R-3 (Single Family Residential) within the City of Stockbridge.
The property is located at 681 Davis Road in Land Lot 71 of the 12th District. The request is for annexation
into the City of Stockbridge.

Ronnie Simmons made a motion to approve rezoning; Fletcher Turner seconded, and passed unanimously.

Fletcher Turner made a motion to approve annexation; Ronnie Simmons seconded and passed unanimously.

ELVIDA E. AINSWORTH, STOCKBRIDGE, GEORGIA requested rezoning from R-3 (Single Family
Residential) unincorporated Henry County to R-3 (Single Family Residential) within the City of Stockbridge.
The property is located at 657 Davis Road in Land Lot 71 of the 12th District. The request is for annexation
into the City of Stockbridge.

W. A. Gardner made a motion to approve rezoning; Fletcher Turner seconded, and passed unanimously.

W. A. Gardner made a motion to approve annexation; Ronnie Simmons seconded, and passed unanimously.

FRED AND DENA EVANS, STOCKBRIDGE, GEORGIA requested rezoning from RA
(Residential/Agricultural) unincorporated Henry County to RA (Rural/Agricultural) within the City of
Stockbridge. The property is located on the north side of Quail Run Road in Land Lot 45 of the 6th District.
The request is for annexation into the City of Stockbridge.

Ronnie Simmons made a motion to approve rezoning; Fletcher Turner seconded, and passed unanimously.

W. A. Gardner made a motion to approve annexation; Fletcher Turner seconded and passed unanimously.

OLD BUSINESS
WILDWIND HOMEOWNERS ASSOCIATION requested permission to install speed bumps in their
subdivision at their expense. This request was tabled at the May 13, 2002 meeting.

Mayor Kelley asked Ted Strickland to give a report on what he found out about this matter. Mr. Strickland
quoted from information furnished by City Attorney Bruce Vail. There are essentially five benefits to installing
speed bumps.

Reduction in traffic flow.
Reduction in vehicle speeds at each bump.
Fixed installation costs.
Low maintenance costs.
Responsiveness to local residents.

By contrast, there are a number of disadvantages to speed bumps. These include:

Increased drive injury.
Increased vehicular damage.
Increased exposure to law suits.
Diminished vehicular control for drivers.
Reduced responsive time for public safety vehicles.
Reduced ability to operate bicycles, motorcycles, and related vehicles.

Mayor Kelley stated that the City doesn’t need to get into speed bumps because if they are allowed in one
subdivision they will have to allow all subdivisions in the City to install bumps. Mayor Kelley recommended
the Council deny the request.

Harold Cochran made a motion to deny the request for speed bumps; Fred Evans seconded, and passed
unanimously.

NEW BUSINESS
JUSTIN WALKER has been selected as one of 40 students to represent the State of Georgia on a two week
educational trip to California by the “People to People Student Ambassadors” through Smith/Barnes
Elementary School. Justin is requesting the City of Stockbridge help sponsor his trip.

Mayor Kelley congratulated Justin for being selected and asked what kind of expenses are they talking about.
Mr. Walker responded the trip will cost approximately $3,500 which includes air fare, meals, hotel for two
weeks in California. He has earned $1,200 by selling tail-gating cook books over the internet. The Walkers
will help as much as the family budget will allow. Justin has been on the honor roll since the first grade. He
is very active in the boy scouts.

A. J. Welch, City Attorney explained that the City cannot use public funds for private use but there will be
some folks that will help Justin.

Justin is scheduled to leave July 18 and they are about $2,000 short of their goal. Justin will receive a high
school credit through Eastern Washington University for completing this course.

Harold Cochran made a motion to deny; W. A. Gardner seconded, and passed unanimously.

US OIL EXPRESS #2 dba TEXACO, 1247 Eagles Landing Parkway requested an Alcohol License for retail
package sales for malt beverages and wine. Completed application, furnished required forms and back
ground check.

Fred Evans made a motion to approve; Ronnie Simmons seconded, and passed unanimously.

BIDS FOR DEMOLITION OF TWO SITES on Burke Street.

Riner Construction, Inc $12,500.00

Callaway Grading, Inc. $ 6,000.00
Gibby and Brinson Land Development, Inc. $ 5,500.00

The City will pay dump fees. Mayor Kelley recommended going with the low bid.

Ronnie Simmons made motion to accept low bid; Fred Evans seconded, and passed unanimously.

MUNICIPAL TAX CONSULTING AND MANAGEMENT, ANDREW LIVINGSTON, will attempt to recover
sales and use taxes paid by the City. These taxes are paid by the city for large items that have been billed
to the City under contract. MTCM will charge the City a fee equal to one third of the gross recoveries.

Mayor Kelley explained that Mr. Livingston will attempt to recover sales taxes that the City has paid on
materials purchased through a contactor.

Ronnie Simmons made a motion to adopt a resolution to authorize Mayor Kelley and Clerk to sign agreement
on behalf of the City.

Resolutions:

CONTRACTS FOR TRANSPORTATION ENHANCEMENT ACTIVITY FUNDS (TEA-21) - Adopt a resolution
authorizing Mayor to sign agreement with Georgia Department of Transportation.

Ted Strickland explained that this grant will provide sidewalks on the south side of North Henry Boulevard
from Flippen Road to the Walmart intersection and the enhancement of that intersection.

Ronnie Simmons made a motion to adopt the resolution to authorize Mayor Kelley and Clerk to sign
agreement on behalf of the City; Fletcher Turner seconded, and passed unanimously.

LEE HUGH PHILLIPS AWARDED THE MEDAL OF HONOR AND PURPLE HEART DURING THE
KOREAN WAR. CORPORAL PHILLIPS WAS KILLED ON NOVEMBER 27, 1950. The portion of
East Atlanta Road located in the City limits of Stockbridge, Henry County, Georgia shall remain known as
East Atlanta Road, however, and it shall herewith be honorably designated as “Lee Hugh Phillips Medal of
Honor Highway”.

Mayor Kelley explained that Henry County has already designed their portion of East Atlanta Road as “Lee
Hugh Phillips Medal of Honor Highway” and the City just needs to do the same.

W. A. Gardner made a motion approve; Fred Evans seconded and passed unanimously.

Ordinances:

NUISANCE ORDINANCE AMENDMENT – John Webb, City Attorney presented a new version of the
Nuisance Ordinance. Mr. Webb told Council that a little over a year ago, David Brenskelle, County Attorney
discovered the way the County was enforcing nuisance abatements was actually not done pursuant to
statutory procedures the Legislature had setout. Mr. Brenskelle drafted a new nuisance abatement ordinance
and the municipalities adopted the county ordinance and the County was enforcing the ordinance. Then the
Legislature decided they were going to create a new legislative process for the nuisance abatement. When
he is talking about nuisance abatement what he is really talking about is dilapidated structures. Structures
that have been damaged by fire or neglect or whatever to the extent of being a health hazard. The Legislature
changed the mechanism for abandoning these nuisances. When this was discovered the ordinance was
redrafted for the Cities. Mr. Webb has met with Charlie Tomlinson on how to go about enforcing it under the
new statutory procedures. They put together a book form to use to go by. The procedure is much easier
and a much more steam line procedure than what has been used in the past. The bottom line is if we want
to abate nuisances the City has to adopt this ordinance because when the Legislature sets forth a specific
mechanism for doing something on the local level, the City has to abide by their regulations. What the Council
will find is, compared to the old way of doing it; this is a much easier way, a more stream line procedure. The
new procedure is not so much of an administrative procedure but the violator will go before the Municipal
Judge and he makes the decision. If the property owner chooses not to repair the property, a lien can be
placed against the property or if the property is so far gone, demolition of the property may be necessary.
The new ordinance does not require the City to collect the money; the County Tax Commissioners by law
will have to collect the money. It’s a much better procedure and he has already reviewed with Code
Enforcement and Mr. Strickland. There are residents who have voiced their opinion that some of the problem
areas in the City need to be demolished.

Mayor Kelley recommended approval of these ordinances.

Councilman Simmons pointed out that some of the neighbors in these areas have requested the City do
something about the blight in their neighborhoods.
Fred Evans made a motion to adopt an ordinance to establish findings that dwellings, buildings, or structures
exist in the City of Stockbridge of a negative condition or character; W. A. Gardner seconded, and passed
unanimously.

Ronnie Simmons made a motion to adopt an ordinance to establish rules and regulations for abatement of
unsafe or unhealthful premises; Fletcher Turner seconded, and passed unanimously.

MASSAGE ESTABLISHMENT AMENDMENT. Mayor Kelley explained that in the beginning the massage
establishments were required to have open viewing windows in each massage room that was to stay open
at all times. This ordinance was approved at the last meeting where they could have curtains or doors over
the windows to stay closed but if the Code Enforcement or Police Officers come in for an inspection, they
could open the curtain or door.

A. J. Welch stated that it was put back on the agenda because the legal staff had made the changes that
were announced that were being made and all the Council has to do is readopt the ordinance with the
changes.

Ronnie Simmons made a motion to readopt the Massage Establishment Amendment; Fletcher Turner
seconded, and passed unanimously.

SEWAGE ORDINANCE AMENDMENT. Ted Strickland explained that this amendment to the Sewage
Ordinance will provide regulations for grease traps in commercial kitchens. Grease is stopping up sewerage
lines and coming to the surface and is very costly for the City.

W. A. Gardner made a motion to approve the amendment; Fred Evans seconded, and passed unanimously.

HENRY COUNTY SIGN ORDINANCE – A. J. Welch explained that the City has maintained two separate
sign ordinances for a number of years. One of which was adopted in the Zoning Ordinance. When the City
adopted the Zoning Ordinance of Henry County the City adopted the Sign Ordinance except for certain parts
and then we had what we called the Interstate Sign Ordinance which allowed billboard signs to be along I-75
and I-675 and define how that could occur. The County has developed a new Sign Ordinance. Legal staff
has reviewed the Sign Ordinance and they have made some changes in this Sigh Ordinance that apply to
the City of Stockbridge. The City only allows billboards along I-75 and I-675 and legal staff had to make the
changes so the statute will be in compliance with what the City has been doing.
There is one issue that needs to be resolved in the Sign Ordinance and this is on the directional signs that
are put up mainly by real estate companies giving direct to subdivisions. At present the city is not allowing
any billboards to be placed on the rights-of-ways of the City. They can be placed upon the property of a
person but along the rights-of-ways they are prohibited. The County’s ordinance proposes that they are
going to have boards put up at intersections where subdivisions can list and give directions to the
subdivisions. About 5 or 6 years ago the City went through this same thought pattern whether or not the City
wanted to allow that type of signage to be put up in the City.

The way the ordinance has been drawn, it would allow these directional signs to be put up at main
intersections such as I-75 and Hudson Bridge Road/Eagle’s Landing Parkway, Highway 138 and I-75, State
Route 42 and Highway 138. If the Council does not want the directional signs at the main intersections, then
the new ordinance needs to be corrected before the Council adopts it tonight, if the Council wants to specify
where they will allow directional signs.

Mayor Kelley responded that several years ago the Council was approached to put a directional sign at
Flippen and State Route 42. Mayor Kelley said he agrees that the County needs something because they
have sign clutter all over the County. Mayor Kelley said that he is against signs at every one of the City’s
main streets, Flippen, East Atlanta and other main intersections. All of the signs that would be posted would
be advertising subdivisions out in the County and the County would allow signs to clutter at these
intersections.

Mr. Welch asked if the Council wants to just limit these signs at I-75 or do you want to put Eagles’s Landing
and Highway 42 and Eagles’s landing and Flippen Road where they run together and then State Route 138
and 42. Mayor Kelley responded that that might be all right. Mr. Welch advised that directional signs would
be put in the rights-of-way during a certain period of time. Mayor Kelley asked if he was talking about a
permanent type sign. Mr. Welch said they would put up a directional portable real estate signs. Mayor Kelley
said the County needs to get away from the clutter of signs on the rights-of-way. Mr. Welch asked if the City
is going to put up the boards and rent space on the boards or allow the County to do it on City right-of-way.
The County is going to put up the boards and charge users. Mayor Kelley stated that it looks like the County
is going to put up signs.

Councilman Simmons asked if the City would put up permanent signs and the City could charge a fee for
space on the sign. That way we could put the signs where the City wants them. Mr. Strickland pointed out
if not properly placed; the signs could be a danger to the motoring public. How many signs will the Council
allow and how high. If the City allows signs for all of the subdivisions it would require a tremendous amount
of signs. Mayor Kelley said they would be rented on a first come first serve basis.
John Webb stated that Will White has dealt with this issue a good bit but he could not attend this meeting.
Mr. Webb said that the things Ted is concerned about is the biggest concerns that people have is once you
install kiosk, a structure that holds several signs. Once you get into the business of putting these signs up,
establishing that people have the right to do them, where do you draw the line? How many will be put up,
who’s going to have access the them and a lot of times you have to make several turns before you actually
get where you are going. Also, you can’t limit these things on a content basis. We are assuming they are all
real estate signs and they are not all real estate signs because the City can’t regulate contents, it has to be
content neutral. The Council needs to keep in mind, do you really want to go down that road of establishing
this service for all the other people and understand there might be a great demand for these signs.

Councilman Simmons asked if the City can limit the real estate signs in the City. These signs could not be
limited to just real estate companies because they have to be content neutral. Mr. Webb pointed out that the
County said there is going to be zero tolerance for the stake signs. A lot of real estate companies feel the
stake signs are necessary for them to do business and when the use of stake signs is taken away they are
really going to look for all possible sources. There should be a lot of thought put into the kiosk signs and this
provision has not been included in the new draft of the ordinance.

A. J. Welch said if the Council is going to allow the stake signs, there should be a defined area that they can
put them in on the right-of-way which would be spelled out so many feet from a given distance or you don’t
do it at all. The City will run into a lot of problems and expense to build the kiosks. Mayor Kelley pointed out
that the City will get back to signs everywhere all over the City. The City keeps someone on duty during the
week and weekends to take down stake signs when they are put up. At the Eagle’s Landing exit off I-75
sometime there are over 50 signs on top of the hill. How can this give anyone directions when you can’t even
read but one or two when you are passing through?

Mayor Kelley recommended the City stay where we are on this matter, no stake or kiosk signs on the right-
of-way. A. J. Welch said the ordinance draft will reflect that no signs will be allowed on the right-of-way within
the City of Stockbridge.

Ted Strickland asked if the read-a-board signs for new businesses are covered in the proposed new sign
ordinance. Mr. Welch said that read-a-board signs are allowed in the new ordinance. Mayor Kelley advised
Mr. Welch that the City wants that provision to be changed to the City’s current practice of issuing a 10 day
permit for read-a-board sign for new businesses.

Mr. Welch asked the Clerk to check to see when the 90 day sign moratorium ends. It was determined that
the moratorium began April 8 and ends July 8, 2002. The new ordinance should be adopted tonight. Mr.
Welch stated that the ordinance should be amended to maintain the existing regulations concerning read-a-
board signs and no signs on the right-of-ways. Mr. Welch pointed out that billboards will be only allowed on
I-75 and I-675. If the City annexes property where there are existing billboards those signs will remain under
the previous zoning. If the billboards qualified under County zoning they would qualify under City’s zoning.

John Webb pointed out there is specific section called Non-conforming Signs. If you already have a sign in
place and it does not meet the City’s ordinance you would refer to this section and it will tell you what needs
to be done. The City cannot make them remove the sign; even if it’s damaged the City cannot prevent them
repairing it. They cannot take it down and put up another con-conforming sign.

Fred Evans asked about the signs that convenience stores put up to advertise cigarettes, beer, soft drinks,
and other items the sell. Most stores are covered up with this type of signs. Is there any way these signs
can be limited? Ted Strickland reported that since cigarette advertisements have been banned from
billboards the cigarette companies have been using the 4’X6’ signs around the poles at the convenience
stores and up and down the street. If they are on right-of-way the City removes them but if the signs are on
convenience store property the City cannot remove the signs. The signs are taken down on City right-of-way
one day and they are back the next. A. J. Welch advised Mr. Strickland to have citations written to violators.
Mr. Evans asked if the City should hire Code Enforcement Officers since the County is so swamped. Mayor
Kelley responded, not unless the City wants to have their own planning and zoning department and building
inspections, etc. Mayor Kelley said that Charlie Tomlinson does an excellent job for the County and has
always responded well to the City’s needs. Mr. Welch responded that some of the other City’s are testing
the waters in that regard and it comes pretty expensive.

A. J. Welch recapped the discussion on the newly drafted Sign Ordinance which has been corrected to meet
the City’s specifications except the two areas that have been discussed and the Council is now adding or
correcting. The City will keep the portion of the old Ordinance that applies to read-a-board signs and the
stake signs. The City will allow no kiosk signs in the right-of-way.

Ronnie Simmons made a motion to adopt the Henry County Sign Ordinance with the exceptions listed above
by A. J. Welch; Harold Cochran seconded, and passed unanimously.

MUSIC IN THE PARK. Councilman Simmons reported that Music in the park will be scheduled the last
Saturday of each month for the months of June, July, August and September. It has been scheduled for
Memorial Park because the Gardner Park and Clark Community Park cannot handle the traffic. The parking
lot is small but we can use the right-of-way until the City enlarges the parking. The facility provides an area
for the bands. Phoenix is one of the bands they are trying to get booked. They are having banners made
and are trying to find locations that our sign ordinance will allowed. They will handle the advertisements
through the local papers. Drinks and food will be provided by the booster clubs to raise money.

Mayor Kelley recommended the Council approve this venture.
Fred Evans made a motion to approve Ronnie Simmons, Ted Strickland and Miranda Roberts work to provide
Music in the Park; Fletcher Turner seconded and passed unanimously.

CHRISTMAS MUSIC AT THE CONFERENCE CENTER. Mr. Simmons reported that plans are under way
for a Christmas program on the balcony at the Center. The plans are to have several choirs from the
Churches and schools, Santa Clause, and refreshments. In the past the City had a Christmas Parade but it
is prohibited because of the traffic and this is something that should work very well and provide the Christmas
spirit for Stockbridge.

CONFERENCE CENTER OFFICE. Mayor Kelley advised Council that he and Ted Strickland have been
discussing a larger office facility for the staff at the Center. The existing space is not sufficient for the
operation of the center. The small office in the building can be used when an event is going on but is too
small for the large volume of customers and work space needed for everyday routine work. Curious people
want to come in and look at the building all during the day. This way if the office is separate the building will
be shown by appointment only and Miranda Roberts and Al Barnes can schedule their work days more
efficiently.

Ronnie Simmons is Chairman of the Building Committee and he will discuss with Jim Vann, the building
contactor who constructed the Center to get a design and cost estimate.

LIVABLE CENTERS INITIATIVE GRANT. Ted Strickland gave an update on the second phase of the LCI
grant. The City was approved for $1,200,000 but the City has not been funded for the next phase. The City’s
portion of the plan will be approximate $300,000 to go for street scape in front of City Hall, from Rock Quarry
to Stockbridge Elementary. There is a meeting scheduled tomorrow June 11, 2002 with the Atlanta Regional
Commission to discuss this project. Mr. Strickland said he is trying to convince ARC that the Council is sold
on the LCI and want to keep it going and comply with their rules and regulations and what they are expecting
the City to do to receive the money.
Harold Cochran made a motion to adjourn; Fred Evans seconded and passed unanimously. The meeting
adjourned at 7:10 P.M.

Respectfully submitted,

Merle Manders, CMC R. G. Kelley
City Clerk Mayor

SIGN ORDINANCE

Minutes/June 10, 2002

HENRY COUNTY SIGN ORDINANCE - A. J. Welch explained that the City has maintained two separate
sign ordinances for a number of years. One of which was adopted in the Zoning Ordinance. When the
City adopted the Zoning Ordinance of Henry County the City adopted the Sign Ordinance except for
certain parts and then we had what we called the Interstate Sign Ordinance which allowed billboard signs
to be along I-75 and I-675 and define how that could occur. The County has developed a new Sign
Ordinance. Legal staff has reviewed the Sign Ordinance and they have made some changes in this Sigh
Ordinance that apply to the City of Stockbridge. The City only allows billboards along I-75 and I-675 and
legal staff had to make the changes so the statute will be in compliance with what the City has been
doing.

There is one issue that needs to be resolved in the Sign Ordinance and this is on the directional signs
that are put up mainly by real estate companies giving direct to subdivisions. At present the city is not
allowing any billboards to be placed on the rights-of-ways of the City. They can be placed upon the
property of a person but along the rights-of-ways they are prohibited. The County's ordinance proposes
that they are going to have boards put up at intersections where subdivisions can list and give directions
to the subdivisions. About 5 or 6 years ago the City went through this same thought pattern whether or
not the City wanted to allow that type of signage to be put up in the City.

The way the ordinance has been drawn, it would allow these directional signs to be put up at main
intersections such as I-75 and Hudson Bridge Road/Eagle's Landing Parkway, Highway 138 and I-75,
State Route 42 and Highway 138. If the Council does not want the directional signs at the main
intersections, then the new ordinance needs to be corrected before the Council adopts it tonight, if the
Council wants to specify where they will allow directional signs.

Mayor Kelley responded that several years ago the Council was approached to put a directional sign at
Flippen and State Route 42. Mayor Kelley said he agrees that the County needs something because
they have sign clutter all over the County. Mayor Kelley said that he is against signs at every one of the
City's main streets, Flippen, East Atlanta and other main intersections. All of the signs that would be
posted would be advertising subdivisions out in the County and the County would allow signs to clutter at
these intersections.

Mr. Welch asked if the Council wants to just limit these signs at I-75 or do you want to put Eagles's
Landing and Highway 42 and Eagles's landing and Flippen Road where they run together and then State
Route 138 and 42. Mayor Kelley responded that that might be all right. Mr. Welch advised that
directional signs would be put in the rights-of-way during a certain period of time. Mayor Kelley asked if
he was talking about a permanent type sign. Mr. Welch said they would put up a directional portable real
estate signs. Mayor Kelley said the County needs to get away from the clutter of signs on the rights-of-
way. Mr. Welch asked if the City is going to put up the boards and rent space on the boards or allow the
County to do it on City right-of-way. The County is going to put up the boards and charge users. Mayor
Kelley stated that it looks like the County is going to put up signs.

Councilman Simmons asked if the City would put up permanent signs and the City could charge a fee for
space on the sign. That way we could put the signs where the City wants them. Mr. Strickland pointed
out if not properly placed; the signs could be a danger to the motoring public. How many signs will the
Council allow and how high. If the City allows signs for all of the subdivisions it would require a
tremendous amount of signs. Mayor Kelley said they would be rented on a first come first serve basis.

John Webb stated that Will White has dealt with this issue a good bit but he could not attend this meeting.
Mr. Webb said that the things Ted is concerned about is the biggest concerns that people have is once
you install kiosk, a structure that holds several signs. Once you get into the business of putting these
signs up, establishing that people have the right to do them, where do you draw the line? How many will
be put up, who's going to have access the them and a lot of times you have to make several turns before
you actually get where you are going. Also, you can't limit these things on a content basis. We are
assuming they are all real estate signs and they are not all real estate signs because the City can't
regulate contents, it has to be content neutral. The Council needs to keep in mind, do you really want to
go down that road of establishing this service for all the other people and understand there might be a
great demand for these signs.

Councilman Simmons asked if the City can limit the real estate signs in the City. These signs could not
be limited to just real estate companies because they have to be content neutral. Mr. Webb pointed out
that the County said there is going to be zero tolerance for the stake signs. A lot of real estate companies
feel the stake signs are necessary for them to do business and when the use of stake signs is taken away
they are really going to look for all possible sources. There should be a lot of thought put into the kiosk
signs and this provision has not been included in the new draft of the ordinance.

A. J. Welch said if the Council is going to allow the stake signs, there should be a defined area that they
can put them in on the right-of-way which would be spelled out so many feet from a given distance or you
don't do it at all. The City will run into a lot of problems and expense to build the kiosks. Mayor Kelley
pointed out that the City will get back to signs everywhere all over the City. The City keeps someone on
duty during the week and weekends to take down stake signs when they are put up. At the Eagle's
Landing exit off I-75 sometime there are over 50 signs on top of the hill. How can this give anyone
directions when you can't even read but one or two when you are passing through?

Mayor Kelley recommended the City stay where we are on this matter, no stake or kiosk signs on the
right-of-way. A. J. Welch said the ordinance draft will reflect that no signs will be allowed on the right-of-
way within the City of Stockbridge.

Ted Strickland asked if the read-a-board signs for new businesses are covered in the proposed new sign
ordinance. Mr. Welch said that read-a-board signs are allowed in the new ordinance. Mayor Kelley
advised Mr. Welch that the City wants that provision to be changed to the City's current practice of issuing
a 10 day permit for read-a-board sign for new businesses.

Mr. Welch asked the Clerk to check to see when the 90 day sign moratorium ends. It was determined
that the moratorium began April 8 and ends July 8, 2002. The new ordinance should be adopted tonight.
Mr. Welch stated that the ordinance should be amended to maintain the existing regulations concerning
read-a-board signs and no signs on the right-of-ways. Mr. Welch pointed out that billboards will be only
allowed on I-75 and I-675. If the City annexes property where there are existing billboards those signs
will remain under the previous zoning. If the billboards qualified under County zoning they would qualify
under City's zoning.

John Webb pointed out there is specific section called Non-conforming Signs. If you already have a sign
in place and it does not meet the City's ordinance you would refer to this section and it will tell you what
needs to be done. The City cannot make them remove the sign; even if it's damaged the City cannot
prevent them repairing it. They cannot take it down and put up another con-conforming sign.

Fred Evans asked about the signs that convenience stores put up to advertise cigarettes, beer, soft
drinks, and other items the sell. Most stores are covered up with this type of signs. Is there any way
these signs can be limited? Ted Strickland reported that since cigarette advertisements have been
banned from billboards the cigarette companies have been using the 4'X6' signs around the poles at the
convenience stores and up and down the street. If they are on right-of-way the City removes them but if
the signs are on convenience store property the City cannot remove the signs. The signs are taken down
on City right-of-way one day and they are back the next. A. J. Welch advised Mr. Strickland to have
citations written to violators. Mr. Evans asked if the City should hire Code Enforcement Officers since the
County is so swamped. Mayor Kelley responded, not unless the City wants to have their own planning
and zoning department and building inspections, etc. Mayor Kelley said that Charlie Tomlinson does an
excellent job for the County and has always responded well to the City's needs. Mr. Welch responded
that some of the other City's are testing the waters in that regard and it comes pretty expensive.

A. J. Welch recapped the discussion on the newly drafted Sign Ordinance which has been corrected to
meet the City's specifications except the two areas that have been discussed and the Council is now
adding or correcting. The City will keep the portion of the old Ordinance that applies to read-a-board
signs and the stake signs. The City will allow no kiosk signs in the right-of-way.

Ronnie Simmons made a motion to adopt the Henry County Sign Ordinance with the exceptions listed
above by A. J. Welch; Harold Cochran seconded, and passed unanimously.
