The Henry County Board of Commissioners has adopted a 60-day moratorium barring the acceptance, review or hearing of applications for sign permits.  The moratorium, which took effect on February 5, 2013, only involves applications for ground signage in unincorporated Henry County, and excludes temporary signs, wall signs and any sign applications filed prior to this enactment. 

  “The purpose of the moratorium is to give Planning & Zoning staff time to review and update the Unified Land Development Code to incorporate language that addresses ground signs located in railroad rights-of-way,” explained Henry County Commission Chairman Tommy Smith. 

  Staff is considering a multitude of options, from designating a railroad right-of-way zone to aligning the area with the zoning of the adjacent properties.

  “While we have only received four total applications for ground signs within the past year, we are starting to see applications to erect signs in the rights-of-way of railroads, something for which our code currently does not provide guidance, so we want to take the time now to properly address this issue moving forward,” said Cheri Hobson-Matthews, Henry County Planning & Zoning Director.

  The Board of Commissioners’ central duties are to take actions that help to preserve the health, safety, morals, and the general welfare of the community.  Consequently, through this resolution, they are seeking to ensure that community aesthetics are preserved, the value and characteristics of existing lands, buildings and neighborhoods within the County are protected, and the economic well-being of the County is maintained, if not enhanced by any changes to the language of the ULDC to address ground signage.

  To review the moratorium language or the Unified Land Development Code in its entirety, please visit www.hcpz.org.