Mount Paran Northside Citizens Association

OH, WHERE HAVE ALL THE ILLEGAL SIGNS GONE?

Oct 22, 2004

By Mary Louise Floyd
Board of Directors, Keep Atlanta Beautiful

September heralds the first of aggressive new measures that will improve Atlanta?’s quality of life. Illegal signage in the public right-of-way will become a punishable crime. This summer District 6 Councilmember Anne Fauver authored legislation that fines violators $100 per sign or imprisonment for a term not exceeding five days. A violator is defined as the primary beneficiary of a sign. A sign is defined as ?“any handbill, poster, paper or written communication,?” and public right-of-way means the area within ten feet of public streets and sidewalks. This law applies to signs affixed to utility poles as well as signs staked into the ground. This amendment to City Code 138-13 was unanimously approved by City Council and Mayor Franklin.

Councilmember Fauver sponsored this legislation as a response to the public outcry against the proliferation of these signs in Atlanta. Earning the pejoratives of ?“street spam,?” ?“vertical litter,?” and ?“bandit signs,?” these signs are major contributors to the visible pollution blighting Atlanta?—indeed, the American landscape. As innocuous as a ?“lost doggie?” or ?“estate sale?” sign may seem, its presence on a utility pole or staked into the right-of-way invites more signage. In addition, these signs are potentially dangerous distractions to drivers.

Like me, there are many civic-minded Atlantans who snarl and grow fangs and claws when they see these signs. Access Steve Gower?’s webpage ?“Watching the Neighborhood?” to learn how he leads Midtown against illegal signage. Peggy Denby, a fellow Keep Atlanta Beautiful Board Member, boasts a sign-free Ponce de Leon and environs because of her aggressive efforts. Chris Touchstone makes a daily 5AM sweep in the Lindberg-Piedmont Road area. In our neighborhood, there are Carol and Paul Muldawer, who remove scores of signs weekly.

We give our tacit approval of these signs when we do nothing to remove them from the right-of-way on our property and from the utility poles on our property. Is it too much to ask that we call the violators and inform them of the law? If you need encouragement, put ?“street spam?” into Google and read how citizens nationwide are working with local governments to de-spam their communities.

On a broader scale, you ask, what does illegal signage have to do with green space, the concern de jour? A lot. In the long run (which really is not so long when you consider the population growth in Atlanta and major U.S. metros), we need communal green space before the next generation asks, ?“Why didn?’t you??” Our leaders are forward-thinking: Mayor Franklin has said that she is committed to parks and civic pride as ways to improve Atlanta?’s quality of life, Councilmember Lamar Willis took the graffiti bull by the horns and conquered it with cogent legislation, Former Govenor Roy Barnes?’ green space initiative awarded Atlanta $5.4 million to save disappearing landscapes, and the Arthur Blank Family Foundation has pledged $7.6 million in 26 grants for parks and green space inside I-285. But what soothing escape from the hurly-burly of city-pace is green space if it is littered with commercial signage? One questions the meaning of green space if it is bestrewn with the black, white, and offensive multi-colors of signage. Thanks to Anne Fauver, this issue now looks to law enforcement?—and our citizen-level on-going commitment.

Councilmember-at-Large Mary Norwood has a host of projects underway that are aimed specifically at improving Atlanta?’s quality of life, among which is her SUPERB Project. She remains our major tour de force in her indefatigable energy, multi-tasking intelligence, and undaunted commitment to A Better Atlanta Is a Cleaner and Safer Atlanta. Keep Atlanta Beautiful seeks to work with City Council, Atlanta law enforcement, the Department of Transportation, public and private schools, and corporate and non-profit enterprises in accomplishing long-term, systemic and sustainable solutions to Atlanta?’s visible pollution. Through education, ownership, and enforcement, we aim to create a city-wide attitude of ?“Wow! That?’s MY city!?” Stay tuned and become involved. You WILL see commitments made manifest in a cleaner, more beautiful Atlanta. Contact me if you want to become involved. Floyd3@mindspring.com