Forsyth approves sign, alcohol changes

The Forsyth County Board of Commissioners approved an amendment to its sign ordinance, expanding the use of electronic message boards.

Previously allowed only in commercial and industrial zoning districts, the signs are now allowed in any district, but are limited to cases where the property involved has a minimum of 100 feet of frontage along a four-lane or greater divided public road and has a principle use that is either a religious facility, college, university, private or parochial school or hospital.

Commissioners also made two changes to the county’s alcohol ordinance — one removing the minimum seating requirement for establishments with on-premises alcohol licenses, and the other allowing businesses with valid alcohol licenses to be granted up to 24 special-event permits a year, which means they can operate cash bars at events held at other locations besides their regular place of business.