American flags attached to car antennas at Team Chevrolet violated Salisbury’s sign ordinance, forcing the dealership to take them down.
“It still aggravates me,” said Team Chevrolet Sales Manager Bryan Beaver. “It’s absolutely ridiculous.”
Earlier this week, Beaver placed approximately 20 nylon flags on cars in the Team Chevrolet lot. The 10-by-12-inch flags attach by a plastic strip that fits over the antennas.
“I put them out there because they look good,” Beaver said, stressing that it was a patriotic gesture.
Team Chevrolet first received a warning from a Salisbury codes enforcement officer that the antenna flags violated the city’s sign ordinance.
When the flags remained on the cars the next day, the dealership received a $50 fine. Beaver then took down the flags.
“Everybody I’ve talked to was just outraged about it,” Beaver said, adding that, in Salisbury, he apparently can burn the American flag or urinate on it, but he can’t put one on a car antenna.
Hubert Furr, development services manager for Salisbury, said Beaver had placed what the city considered “antenna toppers” on the cars, not American flags.
Team Chevrolet violated Section 9.04, No. 10, of the ordinance related to signs that are not allowed.
This specific section says moving devices designed to attract attention to a business are prohibited. Furr said the flags attached to the cars for sale moved in the wind. The same section of the ordinance prohibits things such as fluttering devices, streamers, banners and the like at car dealerships.
Furr emphasized that an American flag on its own pole is permitted by the ordinance.
“The way he is trying to use the American flag is prohibited,” Furr emphasized.
The Salisbury Zoning Ordinance makes special reference to American flags in Section 9.03, No. 5, related to signs that are permitted.
U.S., N.C., Rowan and City of Salisbury flags are permitted by right, the section says. When these flags are displayed, they should follow the federal flag code, the ordinance adds.
The display of American flags at a business became an issue several years ago at Salisbury Square antiques, the site of the former Belk-Harry building on South Main Street.
American flags are allowed along the top of that building because each one is attached to a separate pole.
Also in the recent past, the city cited Rufty’s Garden Center on West Innes Street for violating the same section of the sign ordinance related to moving signs or devices designed to attract attention.
Rufty’s had a bird kite for sale that moved in the wind outside the front of the store. Owner Charlie Smith appealed his fines to the Salisbury Zoning Board of Adjustment, won his case and was allowed to fly the bird kite, which is an item for sale.
From Team Chevrolet, Beaver said he has a good view of the huge American flag at the Gerry Wood dealerships, and Beaver said the flag is beautiful. After the Sept. 11 terrorist attacks in New York and Washington, Beaver had a big American flag painted at the front of Team Chevrolet dealership, and he remarked that many cars have American flag stickers in their windows.
Why are they allowed and the antenna flags are not, he asked.
Beaver said he’s planning to put the flags on the car antennas again, as long as the weather permits.
“I will pay the fine as long as they fine me,” he said.
The second violation and those after that would carry a $100 fine each time.
Contact Mark Wineka at 704-797-4263, or mwineka@salisburypost.com
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