Business on historic property granted sign ordinance change
Published 12:47 pm Wednesday, December 16, 2020
- Photo by Brett Campbell / Chad Smith of Land Max Properties LLC addresses the Brookhaven Board of Aldermen Tuesday. From left, Ward 2 Alderman Shannon Moore, Smith, Building Inspector David Fearn, Alderwoman-at-large Karen Sullivan, Ward 5 Alderman Fletcher Grice and Mayor Joe Cox.
The city has approved a request for a change in the sign ordinance to allow a business to erect a more advanced sign.
Chad Smith of Land Max Properties LLC off Union Street in Brookhaven asked the Board of Aldermen Tuesday to approve a proposed change to the sign ordinance which would allow his company to erect a two-pole digital billboard-type sign on its property.
The ordinance permitted single-pole steel-frame signs, but Smith said the company would prefer to install something that matched the aesthetic of the business’ property.
Land Max is located on Antique Lane NE, with offices in the former Strong House. Built in 1859, the Strong House is a local landmark and is on the state’s register of historic properties.
Smith said the company had invested a lot of money and effort into restoring the home and farm property.
“We’re proud of it,” he said.
He said Land Max wanted to install a sign for the business that reflects the same level of effort and beauty of the rest of the property.
“We want digital sign from Gator Signs to better match the property and look good coming into Brookhaven along the interstate,” Smith said.
The dual-sided sign will have north and south facings that rotate images on the screens. All of the properties or products displayed on the sign will be for Land Max or its partner businesses. Unrelated businesses or products will not be permitted to purchase advertising on the sign.
Building inspector David Fearn said the Mississippi Department of Transportation had given permission for the sign to be erected, upon the city’s approval.
City attorney Joe Fernald said no public hearing was needed since the issue at hand was not a zoning change, but an amendment to the sign ordinance. The amendment allows the option for a double-pole sign to be installed along I-55 in the Agricultural District.
The board voted unanimously to grant the change.