Restaurant owner takes concern about city trees blocking establishment to Columbus City Council

COLUMBUS, Ga. (WRBL) — A Columbus restaurant owner took his frustration with magnolia trees blocking his business sign straight to Columbus City Council Tuesday morning.

The Vallarta Mexican Restaurant on Fort Benning Road has been serving Columbus for 29 years — but for 17 of those years, its sign has been covered by city-owned magnolia trees.

General Manager Jose Altamirano raised the issue on social media and spoke to WRBL News 3 about the issue.

PREVIOUS COVERAGE: Magnolia trees prevent local restaurant from being seen

On Tuesday, he brought his concerns directly to city council.

Altamirano found an ally in District 3 Councilor Bruce Huff, who said the city should look at revising its tree ordinances to help small businesses.

“The solution is we’re going back to visit the tree ordinances and speak with Trees Columbus arborists and everyone to see if we can work out something that would be beneficial to our small businesses,” Huff said. “We need to get the trees trimmed so the signs can be seen so that people know that they’re there.”

While the council made no promises, members pledged to look for a solution.

Altamirano addressed the council as part of the public agenda.