The recently adopted amendments to the sign regulations included the deletion of a definition of “mural” and deleted references to murals. Currently, the mural regulations refer to an application form, application fee and permit which the City staff does not believe are necessary for the process. The regulations allow the City Manager to issue a permit if the City Council fails to act within 120 days. The proposed amendments to the mural regulations address the issues resulting from the sign regulation amendments and provide a simplified and abbreviated approval process.

The proposed amendments include:

- a definition of “mural” to clarify that mural subject matter is to be non-commercial;

- deletion of references to an application form, application fee and permit;

- additional criteria regarding the technical review to be performed by the Main Street organization’s design committee;

- subject matter approval solely to the City Council;

- a shorter process, reducing the maximum of 120 days to no more than 60 days;

- a limit to the potential location for murals to the areas of the City which are designated with the Downtown and Downtown Core Future Land Use Categories on the Future Land Use Map of the City’s Comprehensive Plan;

- clarification that murals are not subject to the sign regulations; and,

- a limit to the amount of text in a mural.  

The proposed new language is shown with underlining and deleted language is shown with strikethrough.

Compatibility with the Comprehensive Plan:

The proposal is consistent with the following Comprehensive Plan objectives and policies:

• LIV Objective 1.6 - Expand public experience and exposure to culture, create vitality and enhance the aesthetic environment through public art and places within the community oriented to the arts community.

• LIV Policy 1.6.1 - Consider public art and cultural facilities as a public benefit in connection with new development projects.

• LIV Policy 1.6.2 - Provide for the incorporation of public art in the design and construction of public facilities.

• LIV Policy 1.6.4    - Continue to invest in community facilities such as the library and recreation center as places for civic, cultural and social exchange, and encourage activities and programs involving the arts, heritage and interpretive sciences.

• LIV Policy 1.6.5    - Ensure that public art projects are compatible with the character and identity of the surrounding neighborhood.

• LIV Policy 1.6.6 - Use the work of artists, craftspeople, architects and landscape architects in the design and improvement of public spaces.

• LIV Policy 2.2.6 - Provide centrally located gathering spaces in Centers that create a sense of identity and encourage economic revitalization. Encourage public amenities in gathering places such as benches, street trees, kiosks, restrooms and public art.

• LIV Policy 2.2.11 - Promote quality design in Downtown that recognizes the regional and historical importance of the area and reinforces its pedestrian character.