Stanwood reluctantly enforces its sign law

Published 9:52 pm Sunday, March 8, 2009

STANWOOD — Jim Starck was feeling the pinch of tough economic times.

He wasn’t earning enough at his Clean Spot Carwash in downtown Stanwood, so he cobbled together some extra income from local businesses who wanted to advertise on his electronic billboard posted on his property along Highway 532.

Told in November by city officials that such advertising is contrary to the city’s sign ordinance, Starck is now preparing to go out of business.

“We can’t make it without the revenue from the sign,” he said.

City administrator Joyce Papke said the municipal code simply does not allow for off-premises signs, and that’s what was happening when business owners paid for space on Starck’s billboard.

Starck wonders why he was able to run such advertising for nearly a year before being told he was not in compliance. It doesn’t really matter now, though, because he’s closing shop.

“There’s no backing out. We will shut the car wash down very soon,” Starck said. “My intent was to survive and help other businesses survive. Not everyone has frontage along the highway.”

The officials who issued Starck his sign permit no longer are with the city, but anyone who told Starck he could advertise for other business owners was in error, community development director Rebecca Lind said. Starck’s original application for the sign includes no indication that he planned to advertise for other business owners, she said.

“What the code says is very common in other cities,” Lind said. “Advertising signs are limited to your property for your business.”

If the city were to grant an exception for Starck, the city could end up with a lot of off-site signs, Papke said.

“Sign codes are emotional issues,” Papke said. “There are those concerned about free speech and using their property as they see fit. Then there is the voice of the folks who care about the aesthetics and character of their community.”

Starck also has used his sign to post fundraising notices, emergency flood warnings and personal messages, such as birthday greetings. Those fall under a community service category, and those sorts of messages on Starck’s digital sign are allowed in the city, Lind said.

“Mr. Starck has done some very nice things for the community, and that’s part of what makes this so difficult,” she said.

After numerous meetings with city officials, Starck did not appeal the city’s final code violation notice in February, Lind said.

Papke said she isn’t happy to see Starck shutter the car wash.

“Our businesses are the lifeblood of our city,” Papke said.

Robert Madison, who owns a jewelry store downtown, said his advertisements on Starck’s sign made a positive difference for his business.

“It helped me so much and people really responded, especially at Christmas and Valentine’s Day,” Madison said. “That sign was my only shot at grabbing the attention of Camano Island drivers on their way to shop in Mount Vernon.”

Gale Fiege: 425-339-3427, gfiege@heraldnet.com.