Columbus resident Becky Bell recently told town council she feels discriminated against with regard to yard sale signs.
At a council meeting Oct. 20, she said her signs are always taken down, while other signs throughout the town are not.
Bell said she lives on the same street as a council member, which may be why her signs are taken down more than others, but that’s not fair.
Bell said she thought she had a solution to the problem and used balloons once, but an officer came to take those down as well.
“One week after my balloons were deemed illegal there were signs on the main street of Columbus left up all day,” Bell said. “There was also a sign on the street sign pole that leads to Gibson Park; it was left up until late Sunday that weekend. Since then, I have seen several more that were not taken down or addressed. The town should do the same for all, whatever it is you decide to do. Not one weekend a month, but every day if necessary. It is your rule. I personally am tired of being treated differently.”
Council members added the item to the agenda after hearing Bell’s remarks and said they agreed everyone should be treated the same.
The town’s ordinance does not specifically address yard sale signs. Currently, yard sale signs are treated as temporary signs, which are not allowed. Neither are balloons.
“Yard sales are an American thing,” said councilman Richard Hall. “People ought to be able to have a yard sale and put a sign up.”
Council agreed to have the town’s planning board address the sign ordinance and specific regulations for yard sale signs. Town attorney Bailey Nager said Columbus could consider starting from Tryon’s ordinance, which he said seems to work well and allows yard sale signs on the weekend with time and size limits.
Columbus Town Manager Jonathan Kanipe said he is certainly willing to listen to suggestions considering the 15-page-long sign ordinance, which he said could be condensed. He said the town began enforcing its sign ordinance in February or March through the police department because officers are the ones who see violations.
“Our intent is certainly not to single anyone out,” Kanipe said.
The planning board will discuss the issue and make a recommendation to council regarding any amendments to the zoning ordinance. Council will have to have a public hearing prior to adopting any changes.
The planning board meets the second Thursday of every month at 6:30 p.m. in the council chambers of Columbus Town Hall.