Woodstock Strikes Down McDonald's LED Sign

A request from a fast food chain to install an LED message board at its new restaurant was rejected by the Woodstock City Council. 

The council on Monday voted 5-1, with Council member Liz Baxter opposing, to reject a sign variance request from McDonald's to install an LED message center to go along with its freestanding sign at its location under construction on Ridgewalk Parkway. 

The restaurant, located in front of the Outlet Shoppes at Atlanta next to Chick-Fil-A, is slated to open sometime in October.

Company representatives told the council the LED message board would be used to display varying messages throughout the day, such as breakfast, lunch or dinner specials. 

They noted the company did not plan to change the messages more than three to four times during a given day.

The council noted it was hesitant to open the door for variances to allow such signage in the city as its sign ordinance already prohibits it. Woodstock in May rejected a variance request from the company to alter its drive-thru layout plans.

Councilman Randy Brewer noted he actually thinks LED signs are "dangerous," which was part of the reason why the council prohibited them in their sign ordinance.

Councilmember Tessa Basford added granting variances would defeat the purpose of the city having a sign ordinance in place.

"It seems to me (like) we can end up with different rules all over the place," she added. 

After the vote, council asked city staff to bring back information on what other jurisdictions have done to address the growing popularity of businesses incorporating LED signage into their developments.     

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