The Demorest City Council will be holding a public hearing on Tuesday, August 1, at 6:30 pm to address amending the city’s sign ordinance and water agreement with the town of Mt. Airy.
During last Tuesday’s work session, the council discussed at length amending the sign regulation ordinance. Mayor Rick Austin suggested an amendment that would divide the city into “three to four-tiered sections” for the purpose of allocating individual clauses that fit each section’s specific physical properties. Additionally, the council suggested amending the definition and distinction of what qualifies as a billboard sign. The new definition would include:
1. A billboard sign is that in which the length exceeds 235ft
2. A sign advertising someone else’s business, other than that of the physical owner of the sign, is considered a billboard.
Limitations on the types of signs allowed would also be addressed in the ordinance. The amendment would enforce the banning of any billboard that cast light on any adjoining property. A sunset clause is also set to be added to effect signs in Demorest’s Historical District. This clause would allow any regulation period for new and grandfathered signs to cease after a certain timeframe.
Additionally, the council is also looking to alter the standing Mt. Airy water connection. If amended, a clause would be added, allowing that the water connection between the two cities should not be voided without approval from both parties. However, if either party does request a disconnection, approval should not be unreasonably withheld without due cause.
Prior to the final vote on the sign ordinance, an additional hearing will be held on Tuesday, August 29, at 6:30 p.m. The council is encouraging community members and those in the sign industry to attend the public hearings.
Both hearings will be held at the Demorest Municipal Building, located on Ivy Street.
