By JOHN MUNFORD
jmunford@TheCitizenNews.com

Peachtree City has received some negative feedback from local businesses on a new ordinance that would regulate outdoor displays.

Jim Williams, the city's director of developmental services, said at last week's council meeting that some merchants are unhappy about some of the ordinance's provisions.

Council decided against adopting the ordinance so the city could get additional input from local store owners as well as the Fayette County Chamber of Commerce.

Williams said the ordinance could have an adverse effect on convenience stores, which routinely have outdoor displays of LP tanks, ice storage units and newspaper racks.

Outdoor displays of merchandise would be limited to a space up to six feet from the building and no more than 100 feet long, according to the ordinance. But store owners can seek a temporary use permit that could last up to seven days to extend beyond those boundaries.

The temporary use permits could be used only four times a year for each store, though.

Councilwoman Carol Fritz said the 100-foot length limit could take up the entire sidewalk space in front of convenience stores.

She questioned why the city needed such an ordinance, and Councilwoman Annie McMenamin answered that quickly.

"I think you'll see it more now with the big boxes," McMenamin said. Councilman Robert Brooks noted that one problem with the ordinance is that consumers often like to see items displayed outside, such as newspaper boxes. That way, the consumer can decide whether to stop at that store, he said.

Mayor Bob Lenox noted that the ordinance wouldn't prevent stores from having sidewalk sales, but it limits them to four times a year.

The ordinance also forbids the sale of items from a truck or trailer parked in a commercial area.

"Pinestraw is the most popular thing [to sell from trucks]," Williams said, adding that safety is a concern when such sales take place.

Trucks and trailers also would be kept from parking for more than two hours after a delivery is made. And if a truck has advertising on the side, it should be parked so the advertising isn't legible from off-site.

McMenamin suggested writing in a rule that forbids recreational vehicles from parking in lots of local stores. Williams said that would be better suited for another ordinance.

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