Perry Council to vote on temporarily halting sign variances, historic demolitions

Perry City Council is expected to vote on two six-month moratoriums at Tuesday's meeting -- one to halt sign variances and the other to halt removals and demolitions of historic structures.

The moratorium on sign variances will "allow council to complete its review of the recommended changed sign ordinance, which came over from the planning commission," City Manager Lee Gilmour said.

Until the council reviews the revised sign ordinance, or six months pass, the planning commission won't grant any variances, Gilmour said.

The other moratorium would prohibit any historic structures from being removed or demolished for six months or "until the council has an opportunity to confirm its historic districts and establish a preservation commission," Gilmour said. "They just want to be on the safe side and not allow any of that to happen until they've had a chance to go through and review this."

In 2007, the city did a study through the Middle Georgia Regional Commission that identified a number of historic structures. Now, the council is exploring the possibility of establishing a preservation commission and creating an ordinance for the historic district, Gilmour said.

In other business, the council is expected to approve the application for a state grant to extend the trail in Rotary Centennial Park on General Courtney Hodges Boulevard, according to a memo. If awarded to Perry, the Georgia Department of Natural Resources Recreation Trails Program would reimburse the city for 80 percent of the cost of the project, or up to $100,000.

Also Tuesday, the council is scheduled to vote on an agreement with Perry-based Georgia Water & Environmental Services LLC to replace sidewalks and lighting on the south side of Washington Street with a brick sidewalk and LED lighting. The improvements will match similar work recently completed along General Courtney Hodges Boulevard. The project could cost up to $23,723 and would be paid for with money from the Special Purpose Local Option Sales Tax voters approved in 2012.

To contact writer Laura Corley, call 744-4334 or follow her on Twitter @Lauraecor.

This story was originally published November 28, 2015 at 8:55 PM with the headline "Perry Council to vote on temporarily halting sign variances, historic demolitions ."