By Don Nelson
The Winthrop Town Council got an update last week on the Westernization Architectural Committee’s (WAC) progress toward revising the codes that govern Winthrop’s authentic western look and feel.
Lynette Westendorf, a WAC member, told the council members she thought it was a good time to bring them up to date because Westernization — and some debate about how it is enforced — has been in the news lately.
Westendorf outlined several WAC goals as it works toward refining codes that, in one form or another, have been in force since the early 1970s, when the town and its business owners embraced the concept as a way to spur tourism. They include:
• Maintaining, reinforcing and codifying Westernization as “the look of Winthrop.”
• Organizing the code’s layout to make it easier to find information.
• Simplifying wording wherever possible.
• Limiting the lettering choices for signage. Currently, dozens of acceptable typefaces are listed in the code.
• Codifying color choices for structures, signs, trim, roofing, doors and other details.
• Making applications easier to read.
• Adding lighting as a separate application category for structures and signs.
• Allowing temporary signage for new businesses.
• Limiting the number of signs any one business can have.
• Giving WAC the authority to make esthetic decisions.
• Mandating enforcement of the code.
“If our goals are to be achieved, we need to work in concert with, and have the support of, the mayor and Town Council,” Westendorf told the council. “Within the next few months, we would like to meet with you, perhaps more than once, to give you a more detailed account of our goals for the proposed new code, to ensure that you are aware of our process, our good intentions, and the eventual outcome.”
The council has recently opted not to accept two WAC enforcement recommendations. The WAC had urged that the town not approve a Washington State Department of Transportation (WSDOT) request to install an electronic message sign within town limits, pointing out that it violated the Westernization code. The council OKed the sign, but WSDOT subsequently made the issue moot by deciding to locate the sign outside of town.
More recently, the WAC had recommended a citation and fine of $1,250 against the Abbycreek Inn because its owners were in violation of the code while revising the motel’s sign, after they learned that the previous name (Alderbrook Inn) was a possible trademark violation. The council didn’t dispute that the WAC’s findings were accurate, but declined to levy a penalty.
With reference to that decision, Westendorf said that “we suggested the fine because the owners of the business were, in our opinion, not only indifferent to the application and code requirements, but hostile to them. One reason the process dragged on so long was because the WAC is extremely aware of, and sensitive to, the rules of open meetings … we don’t do business outside of open, posted meetings. We only communicate through the Westernization administrator.”
The owners of Abbycreek Inn, Josh and Kristin Buehler, told the council earlier that they had tried to revise the sign as quickly as possible when they learned about the code violation. Contacted for a previous story about the situation by a Methow Valley News reporter, members of the committee declined to comment on the process or whether the Buehlers were being cooperative.
Contacted this week, Josh Buehler said he was puzzled by Westendorf’s comments.
“I only met with them [the WAC] once,” he said. “I’m not sure what we’ve done to be hostile. That’s a pretty harsh word.
“We love the whole Westernization theme,” Buehler said. “It’s one of the reasons we came here. I grew up in Montana. My first car was a horse.
“We’re trying to be part of the community,” Buehler added. “I feel bad about this. I want it behind us.”
“The WAC will admit when we are wrong, and will take the heat for our mistakes,” Westendorf concluded in her remarks to the council. “We will not, however, apologize for what we are, by law, mandated to do, by virtue of our involvement on the committee. We are committed to Winthrop’s Westernization, would like to see the rules for Westernization more clearly written, and more rigorously enforced.”
At a presentation about the history of Westernization, two residents who had significant roles when the code was first developed and enforced — John Lester and Larry Higbee — said they don’t think the current town council is supportive enough of the Westernization code.
