Planner says Old Town sign is not permitted under code; Restore Old Town withdraws request

A planning representative told the Greenwood Economic Development Commission that a proposed Old Town sign is not permitted under the city’s code, and the group that requested funding withdrew its application.

Alyssa Leithman, who identified herself as with the Florida Complaints Division, told commissioners that “the sign type isn't permitted in our code nor is [it] an off‑premises sign,” and said the planning department “can't support something that's not” allowed. She also warned that covering brick can trap moisture: “bricks do need to breathe. When they're covered, they tend to mold and crumble.”

The chair said Tom Greenwood contacted the commission after the planning review and indicated the applicant would withdraw the funding request. The chair summarized the outcome: the request is no longer under consideration and planning has declined to support the proposal.

Why it matters: The commission had been asked in December to consider funding for Restore Old Town’s sign; planning staff’s determination that the sign type is inconsistent with code effectively ended that request unless the applicant revises the proposal and secures planning and public‑works approvals.

What happened next: Commissioners did not vote to fund the sign after the planning clarification; the applicant withdrew its request, and no further action on that item was recorded in the transcript.

Provenance: topicintro SEG 033, topfinish SEG 060.

Speakers quoted: Alyssa Leithman (identified in transcript as with the Florida Complaints Division) and the meeting chair (role label used; name not stated in the transcript).