DOT cracks down on highway signs
By Deborah Bennett Millen News Editor

Jenkins County may be "Entrepreneur Friendly," but local entrepreneurs cannot post outdoor advertising signs for their businesses along highways in the county. Several business owners have received notices in recent weeks from the Georgia Department of Transportation (DOT) stating that their signs are in violation of the law and must be removed.

Jeff Joyner, owner of I Spy Pest Control and Superior Alarms, sought assistance with the matter from the Jenkins County Commissioners during the Tuesday, Sept. 18, meeting of the group.

In his remarks, Joyner noted that his signs were located on private property along U.S. Highway 25 with permission of the property owners and that one had been at its present location for over nine years.

"We are trying to promote businesses in this community, but we can't put a sign up on property advertising a business. I don't think it is right for them (DOT) to tell us we can't promote a business in our county," Joyner said.

Joyner inquired if a county ordinance that permitted the signs could be a resolution to the problem.

The commissioners indicated that they would research the matter to determine if they could render assistance.

Mark McKinnon, DOT media relations manager, said the DOT campaign to comply with laws set forth by the 1965 Federal Highway Beautification Act was a statewide effort. He explained that the state of Georgia had received notification from the federal government that 10 percent, about $150 million, of its annual federal highway funding would be withheld unless it began the immediate enforcement of the laws.

"It is a statewide effort, and our goal is to have everyone in compliance," McKinnon said.

He also noted that business owners could appeal the DOT decision regarding their signs within 30 days of receiving a notice.

In notices to business owners, the DOT referenced the Official Code of Georgia section 32-6-70. According to the code, certain signs are allowed within and beyond 660 feet of the right-of-way. These include directional signs; signs advertising the sale or lease of property upon which they are located; signs advertising activities conducted or maintained within 100 feet of the activity (business); and directional signs about goods and services in the interest of the traveling public.

Also permitted within 660 feet of the right-of-way, but not beyond, are signs located in both zoned and unzoned commercial or industrial areas that provide information to the traveling public.

In addition, business owners who erect outdoor advertising signs along the highways but within 100 feet of their establishments must purchase a permit from the DOT for $50.

Since January 2007, 169 business owners in District II have received notices concerning their signs. Only 54 notices were issued in District II from 2005-2006.