Billboard Application Rejected By Woodstock Council

WOODSTOCK, GA -- The Woodstock City Council is standing by a decision made by staff members to deny an application to install a billboard along Towne Lake Parkway near Interstate 575.

The Council voted to reject an appeal filed by Tinsley/Postiglione to consider the permit for the structure to go up at 226 Towne Lake Parkway. The vote was taken during the Council's Monday, Feb. 13 meeting. Councilman Bud Leonard was not present.

According to documents provided by the city, Tinsley/Postiglione on Aug. 16, 2016, filed a permanent sign permit to install the billboard on the northeast corner of Towne Lake Parkway and Interstate 575. City staff denied the permit on Aug. 29, stating that the application was incomplete and was not compliant with billboard provisions spelled out in the city's ordinance.

On Sept. 23, the applicant submitted a revised application, but the city still contended the billboard did not meet International Building Code standards and that the application did not comply with the city's ordinance.

Specifically, the proposal violated:

• the section that states billboards must face the interstate and be erected no more than 100 feet from the interstate's right-of-way line;
• a code section noting billboards shall not be located within 1,000 feet of an existing structure or within 500 feet of single family residences or land zoned for those uses.

The applicant appealed the staff's ruling in October, but the case was delayed until the Jan. 23 Council meeting. Council members heard the arguments from both sides, but tabled the matter until the Feb. 13 meeting.

City Manager Jeff Moon said the applicant has filed an ante litem notice on Tuesday with the city, a legal step it must take before it can pursue any litigation against Woodstock.

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