O Say Can You See? Ginormous flagpole proposed at Gig Harbor warehouse
That humongous flagpole at the Tacoma Screw Products plant in Tacoma could soon have a clone nearly as big on the Gig Harbor side of the bridge.
Patriotism aside, some neighbors are not happy.
The company has applied for planning permission for a 150-foot flagpole at its Gig Harbor distribution center, which is under construction at 2202 36th Street NW, just west of State Route 16. According to the application, it would fly an American flag measuring 60 by 30 feet, which would be lighted at night.
According to one standard formula, a flag at 150 feet would be visible for 15 miles, depending on the terrain.
The new flag would be slightly lower and smaller than the enormous flag that flies over the company’s main office in Tacoma, towering at 180 feet over the junction of the I-5 and SR-16 freeways. That one measures 80 by 40 feet, as large as the footprint of a good-sized house.
The flagpole was erected in 2014 in celebration of the company’s 70th anniversary. Lighted by night, the outsized flag has become a familiar landmark.
Variance sought
Because the Gig Harbor flagpole would exceed the allowable zoning height, the company has applied for a variance from Pierce County. The distribution center is on county land just outside the city limits.
In an Aug. 5 hearing with the Pierce County Hearing Examiner, the company also discussed attaching two signs to the building, each measuring 52 feet long by 11 feet tall.
The flagpole and signs would be accessory to the recently constructed 98,594-square-foot fulfillment center. The site, the former Gig Harbor Athletic Club, is across from Madrona Woods condominiums, a gated 55-plus community.
According to the staff report, six emails or letters were received commenting on the flagpole., most them from Madrona Woods. One requested information, one was supportive of the proposal, and four were opposed.
“While I admire their patriotism for the beautiful flag flown in Tacoma’s more commercial locale, and understand the need to advertise their business from two roadside vantage points, both seem excessive in size in this area of mostly private homes,” wrote one condo resident, Virginia Martin.
‘Flapping and slapping’
Wrote Susan Benevelle on behalf a family member who lives in Madrona Woods, “...with all due respect to Tacoma Screw Products’ presumed patriotism, the erection of a flagpole rising 110 feet beyond the existing 40-foot height limit is an unnecessary, unacceptable and over-the-top use of our nation’s most important symbol solely for the purpose of drawing attention to their business,”
She also expressed concert about bright lights illuminating the flag at night, and “flapping and slapping sounds” from such a large flag.
Tom Bradford and Van Hardison, who identified themselves as property owners close to the project, complained that the flagpole would “dramatically alter views of the skyline” both day and night, and would be an “obtrusive addition to the development, not in keeping with the size of the building or with the surrounding residential area.”
Another nearby resident, Kelly Welsh, said “A regulation flagpole is fine, but when it becomes larger, it’s advertisement, which is an improper use of the flag.”
But a Lakebay resident, Johanna Smith, said the flag would be “a positive visual in a time of such adversity.”
A spokesman for Tacoma Screw Products said the company chose not to comment until the results of the hearing are confirmed.
County planning staff recommended approval of a 48-feet high flagpole, the same height as the building, or a relocation of the flagpole such that a variance is not required.
Setback one solution
The underlying zoning, together with an earlier variance for the building itself. allows for only 48 feet. But the code also says that “church spires, domes, chimneys, satellite dishes” and similar structures may project higher if they are set back from the property line one additional foot for every foot in additional height.
There is room on the property to do that, the staff report notes.
The proposed flagpole would be constructed with steel. It would be located at the extreme Northeast of the parcel. Attached to the flagpole would be an American Flag, measuring 60 feet by 30 feet.
Staff pointed out that there are taller structures in the area, including the Tacoma Narrows Bridge and Tacoma Public Utilities towers.
“However, those structures have to be that tall to span the Narrows,” the report says. “There is a functional need for those structures to be really tall.”
EARLIER STORY: Tacoma Screw’s plans for Gig Harbor area fulfillment center under last stages of review
EARLIER STORY: 150-pound US flag, as big as a house, rises over Tacoma’s Nalley Valley
This story was originally published September 2, 2020 at 12:00 AM.