County studies sign agreement with VDOT
By Greg Pearson

The county may soon have the authority to impose fines on people who place illegal signs in the public right-of-way.

A permanent solution to illegal signs cluttering the county's roadways is coming soon. Assistant County Attorney Tara McGee expects to bring a proposal to the Chesterfield Board of Supervisors on August 23, giving the county permanent legal authority to pick up illegal signs in the public right-of-way and take legal action against the parties who put them there.

Unsightly signs have been a nagging problem for Chesterfield and many other local governments. So far this year, the county zoning department has picked up 12,000 illegal signs on an as-needed basis.

Chesterfield currently has an informal agreement with the Virginia Department of Transportation (VDOT) to pick up illegal signs, but doesn't have the legal authority to enforce a state law levying a fine of $100 per sign. The right-of-way includes land between the utilities on both sides of the road.

"We would try [imposing fines] first," said Ted Barclay, code compliance supervisor. "If that works, there won't be any further need for other legal options."

If fines were meted out, VDOT would be paid any monies after the county collects the cost of sign removal.

The county could adopt an ordinance similar to one used in Fauquier County, which permits an injunction to be placed against a business or person for posting illegal signs.

If VDOT approves, the agreement would allow citizens to pick up illegal signs for the county. The county's risk management department is studying training and safety issues since volunteers would be walking the roadways near traffic.