Staff photo - LeAnne Akin Staff photo - LeAnne Akin The City of Winder is in the educational phase of its sign ordinance enforcement. Hundreds of letters were mailed last month to help educate business owners and operators about the ordinance, which requires a permit and approval of plans before sign are placed. Here are examples of some of prohibited signage - flashing lighted signs which are portable (above), anything tacked to a utility pole (left) and unapproved banners (below). Staff photo - LeAnne Akin

One of the City of Winder's ordinances designed to help enhance quality of life and foster economic development is getting renewed attention as Mayor Chip Thompson and the Winder City Council are seeking to help beautify Winder.

It's time ordinances are enforced to help improve the esthestics and the business environment in a growing community where abuse of rights-of-way for commercial purposes have generated countless complaints from citizens and remarks about the signs adding to the litter situation which also needs attention.

In an effort to provide education before enforcement, hundreds of letters were mailed out informing of the plan to begin enforcement Aug. 1. (See story below.) Property owners and business operators were encouraged to contact the city's code enforcement office or License & Permits if there were questions about the ordinance and whether a particular sign is permitted under the ordinance.

Code Enforcement officer Freida Harwell, Yvonne Greenway and Joe Royal of the Winder License & Permit Office have been talking with individuals in the community who received letters and had questions. Some mailed in photographs of their signs and got a thumbs up while others learned the office has no record of proper permit paperwork.

"It's the ones who don't call who likely have the signs which will not be permitted when enforcement begins," said Harwell.

"We are not trying to be punitive which is why this education campaign has been going on well in advance of the enforcement which the mayor and council have asked us to do," said Harwell.

Royal said the ordinance has been in place for a reason and that ordinance is now getting the attention - enforcement will likely be handled on a case-by-case basis.

Planning Director Barry Edgar and other city staffers have been assisting with obtaining digital images of nonconforming signs for demonstration purposes.

Copies of the sign ordinance are available from Winder City Hall and on the city website at www.cityofwinder.com Those properties within the Winder Historic District must also have their sign approved through the Historic Preservation Commission related to design, color and location.

Harwell even offers to hand-deliver a copy to Winder businesses who are unable to download a copy.

Contact Winder City Hall at (770) 867-3106 for more on obtaining a copy.

Originally published Wednesday, July 23, 2008