By Luisa Loi
La Conner Community News
Inflatable displays in La Conner’s nonresidential zones might have to permanently relocate into the attic.
Tuesday, the Planning Commission approved changes to the sign code after nearly a year of discussions. If the Town Council gives preliminary approval, the draft will go through a 60-day review period by the state and return to the council for formal codification, likely in 2027, according to Planning Director Ajah Eills.
The discussion began last November, sparked by Retro Diner’s inflatable Thanksgiving display.
While the existing code expressly prohibits inflatable signs, commissioners couldn’t come to an agreement as to whether an inflatable turkey met the current definition of sign — “a publicly displayed advertising, directional, or informational notice, or any other device that may be displayed to attract attention to a business or event.”
“This definition relies on intent of placement, and so there were questions as to the intent of the inflatable placement to an extent that it was unclear if the inflatables fell under the definition of sign, and therefore unclear if it would be regulated by the chapter,” Eills wrote in an email.
To eliminate any confusion, the proposed code redefines signs as “any device, display, or structure that is visible from a public place and that has words, letters, figures, designs, symbols, logos, illumination, or projected images. This definition does not include architectural elements incorporated into the structure or facade of a building.”
New language would also prohibit inflatable devices outdoors except in the residential zone. To resolve First Amendment concerns about regulating speech, the proposed code would prohibit inflatables “regardless of message, content or intent.”
While signs located within the historic preservation district are required to match colors from a historic palette, the new language is more lenient; the proposed draft would require that at least 75% of the sign colors shall be selected from the historic palette unless otherwise approved by the Planning Commission, among other changes that the Town Council will ponder on Tuesday.
Luisa Loi is a general assignment reporter at La Conner Community News.
Top photo by Nancy K. Crowell/La Conner Community News
