A proposed ban on “walking” signs in Peachtree City got bad reviews at tonight’s meeting of the city’s planning commission.

The commission unanimously voted 5-0 to reject an ordinance that would ban any businesses from holding promotional signs visible from any public highway or road.

The proposed ban, which will be brought to the city council at a future date for consideration, would allow costumed mascots to continue appearing alongside the road ... they just wouldn’t be allowed to hold any signs.

Interim Community Development Director David Rast noted that the ban was formulated by working with the city attorney and also was requested by the city council. The idea was to control the situation before it got out of hand, he added.

Several commissioners said they would rather have restrictions adopted to regulate walking signs, perhaps with a cap on the number of days a year that a business can utilize walking signs.

Several local business owners agreed they would be OK with regulations; they also said the walking signs were necessary to draw attention to their businesses.

Debbie Sanders, the owner of women’s fitness center Curves said over three days she had 16 people come in to her business while she employed someone to stand alongside the road holding a sign advertising her business.

“It’s going to make a difference for me this summer if we make it or break it,” Sanders said.

Sanders said she also is going to open a nearby restaurant and she wants to use a costumed mascot with a sign to showcase its location.

“I need to have that as an available tool in my arsenal to keep the business open,” Sanders said. “Plus I like the fact we help people who can’t get a full time job right now because of the economy. I feel like I do them a favor.”

Tim Eagleson, who owns a company that organizes outdoor walking sign campaigns for local subdivisions, said safety of his employees is a top priority.

Eagleson pointed to a group of more than 10 employees who came to the meeting with him, noting that the sign ban would in essence be telling those people they can’t work in Peachtree City.

It was also mentioned that currently the city requires any people holding business signs along the road to get a solicitor’s permit from the city police department which includes a criminal background check.

Among the potential regulations suggested by the commission included restrictions on the locations in which walking signs could be used, a limitation on the number of days a year any one business can deploy such signs and also restrictions on the quality of the sign.