Marla Jones, Managing Editor
RAINSVILLE, Ala.-- On Thursday evening, October 7, Rainsville Citizens had the opportunity to meet and appeal decisions made by the Rainsville City Board of Adjustments regarding sign permit applications.
After the installation of a digital sign on City property by New South, many Citizens requested the same opportunity.
In October 2020, Rainsville City Attorney Nicki Scott stated that the Rainsville City Council voted in Executive Session to hire a Constitutional Lawyer to help advise on the proper procedure in handling the request for a billboard by New South. According to the Council, they had been playing “defense” since last October trying to prevent the billboard. The company found a “loophole” in the previous Sign Ordinance that allowed the placements of the digital signs. They requested a total of five billboards to be placed within the City of Rainsville. The City of Rainsville decided to settle out of court with New South and permit the out-of-state company two signs. The City then adopted Ordinance 03-15-2021 that went into effect on April 19, 2021.
The decision to allow New South the opportunity to install two digital signs struck a chord with many citizens who were denied.
Dennis Hicks served as spokesperson for the group of citizens whose applications were denied. Hicks also discussed the Ordinance, which was patterned from a current Ordinance from the State of Oregon, and the City’s ability to enforce the regulations.
Hicks asked the Board of Adjustments whether they wanted the same values in our small town as those from Oregon.
Hicks brought up the fact that according to the present Ordinance, Citizens could not place a sign in their privately-owned home windows bigger than a standard size sheet of paper which is 8 ½” x 11”.
Hicks also noted that bulbs in signs were not to be larger than 25-watt bulbs. He asked the Board who would regulate and check the wattage on the bulbs and the numerous regulations.
After hearing the concerns of citizens at the meeting, the Board approved two signs for Hicks. The sign locations are at Hilltop, on Highway 75, and one on Highway 35 in Rainsville. Hicks asked for the approval of all his requests which was lost due to a lack of motion by the board.
A Special Session of the Rainsville City Council was called for Wednesday, October 13,(full video on Southern Torch Facebook Page) to appeal the decisions by the Board of Adjustments regarding the two signs. The Council went into an executive session to discuss possible pending litigation. After returning from Executive Session, the Council took the following action and passed Resolution 10-13-2021. This resolution authorized the retention of counsel, in the event of an appeal to the Circuit Court from a final decision of the Board of Adjustment and/or for other related causes or claims.
