A large electronic billboard going up at the intersection of Gunbarrel and East Brainerd roads may not be the only resultant public advertising out of the City Council’s recent decision to not enforce its Scenic Corridor policy after a mistake by a city employee granted Fairway permission to upgrade its existing billboard there.
East Brainerd resident Roger Meyer, who “was very disappointed in the outcome,” said he would like to start an awareness campaign called “Stop the BS (Billboard Signs)” about the use of billboards and their effects on communities.
“To me every billboard I’ve ever seen was tacky and trashed the area,” he said. “Just be aware of that and be aware that this is not done for our benefit, but for the benefit of the company putting the signs up as well as the company trying to sell something.”
Under the Scenic Corridor ordinance, which covers the area from Concord Road to the county line, as well as other areas throughout the city, billboards cannot be changed or added, only maintained. Billboards not located in defined scenic corridors may be upgraded to the next largest sign size.
“We said we don’t want any more in East Brainerd, Hixson and other places, but we will swap off and open 153,” explained Councilman Jack Benson, who represents the area. “They all ran and put billboards on 153 and were happy. Now they’re wanting to get back on the scenics.”