County OKs enormous flag at Tacoma Screw’s warehouse in Gig Harbor

A Pierce County hearing examiner has cleared the way for Tacoma Screw Products to erect a 150-foot flagpole near Gig Harbor, a twin to one that already dominates the freeway entry to Tacoma.

The examiner ruled that the Tacoma company doesn’t need a zoning variance to raise the giant flagpole at its Gig Harbor distribution center because it will be located in the interior of the property.

“A variance isn’t necessary for the flagpole because it has been located to a more internal portion of the parcel,” the decision reads.

Pierce County zoning code allows flagpoles as an “accessory” to commercial structures.

The pole 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.

The original flagpole was erected in 2014 in celebration of the company’s 70th anniversary. Lighted by night, the outsized flag has become a familiar landmark.

In his Sept. 24 decision, Pierce County Hearing Examiner Stephen K. Causseaux Jr. also granted Tacoma Screw a variance to allow two signs, measuring 52 by 11 feet, to be attached the be building at 2202 36th Street NW, just west of State Route 16.

Opposition from condos

The Gig Harbor distribution center is located across from Mandrona Wood condominiums, a gated 55-plus community.

Six emails or letters were received for the Aug. 5 hearing, most from the Mandrona Wood condominiums. 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.

Earlier story: Ginormous flag proposed at Gig Harbor warehouse

This story was originally published September 29, 2020 at 3:40 PM.