Starbucks wants public feedback on signs

Complaints spur city review

By GREG STAHL
Express Staff Writer

Ketchum’s planning department received over 30 phone calls in the past week and a half about Starbucks’ green and white signs, which are high on the Lane Mercantile Building’s south- and west-facing walls.

Based on the complaints, Starbucks representatives have arranged with the Ketchum Planning and Zoning Commission to take a look at the issue at a Monday, July 12 meeting in City Hall at 5:30 p.m.

Contrary to the thoughts of many of those who have called, Ketchum planner Stacey Matz said the signs are not too big. Under Ketchum’s sign ordinance, Starbucks may have up to a 200-square-foot sign on the south-facing wall of the building and a 60-square-foot sign on the west-facing wall.

The existing signs are 40 square feet each.

"We have received an outpour of calls on the signs," said Matz, who approved the signs. "But we did permit it."

Other concerns revolve around the signs’ "plastic look," she said. The signs are not plastic, however. They are aluminum, a material chosen for its lightweight qualities. Starbucks did not want to install signs that would have necessitated drilling more holes in the historic building than necessary, Matz said.

Starbucks regional marketing manager Martha Nielson said, "We want to do whatever we can to make it right (with the public). We have other sign options we will bring to the meeting to see what people want. We’re not here to make waves."