NC city council suing city board over signs

FAYETTEVILLE, N.C. — A North Carolina city is suing one of its own boards over the size of two business signs the board approved.

The Fayetteville Observer reported Monday that the Fayetteville City Council filed a lawsuit against the city’s Board of Adjustment in March. The board allowed a medical clinic to have two signs totaling 132 square feet, even though a city ordinance limits signs to 48 square feet.

The sign company owner said he misinterpreted the city ordinance when he erected the signs. But the lawsuit asks a judge to reverse the board’s decision.

City planning director Jimmy Teal said the lawsuit is a first. He said he hasn’t seen anything similar in his 28 years working with the city.

The city is paying legal fees for the board.

(Copyright 2009 by The Associated Press. All Rights Reserved.)