Minor changes to sign code considered

The Whitefish City-County Planning Board April 18 agreed to examine the city sign code and look for ways to update the regulations while still leaving the document largely intact. 

“To start gutting the sign code and tearing it all apart is crazy, but I do think we can look at certain issues,” chairman Ole Netteberg said. “I’m all for looking at it and seeing what we can update, but not making any radical changes.”

The board heard from several business owners and residents who asked that the sign code be left alone.

Joan Vetter Ehrenberg said the beauty of the area needs to be protected.

“I’m very concerned about opening up this 39-page document,” she said. “Going back into the sign code is a mess.”

Greg Shaffer, service manager at the Don K car dealership, recently approached the city about changing the sign code for businesses along Highway 93 after the dealership was told a sign-waving mannequin on its lot is an illegal temporary sign under the city’s sign code. The dealership’s management claims that it’s difficult to attract customers with cars traveling at high speeds past the business.

Several who commented at the meeting April 18 took issue with the car dealership asking for special treatment.

Vetter Ehrenberg said visitors to Whitefish don’t want to see the waving mannequin advertising oil changes.

“The entrance to town is important,” she said. “People come here to see the trees and mountains. Our community works well when we all compromise.”

Jan Metzmaker pointed out that most visitors arrive in Whitefish via U.S. 93 South.

“We don’t want to ask our potential customers to avert their eyes on the strip until they get to our charming downtown,” she said. “Our guests don’t want the same clutter and sprawl as elsewhere, they expect something different here.”

Board member Diane Smith pointed out that Don K isn’t the only business that has asked for changes to the sign code.

“This problem shows up over and over again — it’s not just Don K,” she said. “We need to spend time and look at this. There’s obviously something that folks are trying to fix.

Several board members noted speed limits should have some bearing on what size of signs are allowed in a particular area.

Dan Cutforth, who recently purchased the Super 8 renaming it the Stumptown Inn, asked that the highway sign district be extended north along Spokane Avenue to East Sixth Street. Currently the area is part of the old town sign district, which requires smaller signs than the highway district.

He said businesses in the area deserve to have larger signs because of the higher speed limit.

“When you’re traveling at 35 mph it’s difficult to make that decision to turn,” he said. “Odds are you’re going to miss it and go farther into town. I don’t feel this change would affect the aesthetics of coming into town.”

The board plans to come up with a list of proposed changes for the sign code and discuss those during its May meeting. The planning board and the city council are expected to hold a joint work session to discuss the potential changes.