Troy Planning Commission approves two‑color paint, denies front‑façade mural at 14 North Market Street

At its May 14 meeting the Troy Planning Commission approved a two‑color exterior paint scheme for 14 North Market Street and denied a proposed mural on the building’s front façade, with commissioners citing the city design manual.

Staff presented the application in two parts: paint and a mural. Planning staff summarized the paint proposal as the building body to be painted Sherwin‑Williams Salty Dog (SW 9177) with accent trim in Sherwin‑Williams Extra White, and recommended approval under Section 2.6 of the design manual because the proposal avoided high‑gloss finishes and like colors on the same block. "So there's really 2 portions of this request... staff does recommend approval of the paint due to the compliance with the design manual section 2.6," staff said.

The mural was proposed above the second‑floor windows and, as described by staff during the meeting, would depict a face and a sunset holding what “appears to be a submarine sandwich.” Staff recommended denying the mural, saying the proposal did not “respect the size, scale and design of the historic building” and noting the design manual requires murals to be located on side, interior or rear walls rather than the front façade. "So staff does recommend denial of the mural as it's located on the front facade and does not respect the design of the historic building as required by Section 6.2 of the design manual," staff said.

Commissioners discussed prior murals in downtown Troy and how they were handled relative to the current standards. Staff noted at least one large mural on a front façade predated the design manual adopted in February 2023; commissioners also referenced the temporary "Eclipse" mural and the smaller micromural program, which limits artwork to very small dimensions.

The commission moved and seconded approval of the paint colors by roll call; the recorded roll call for the paint motion included "Mr. Walke? Yes," "Mrs. Erlich? Yes," "Mr. Westmeyer? Yes," "Remnick? Yes," and "Mr. McGarry? Yes." That motion was adopted.

The commission then voted on the mural denial. The roll call recorded during the denial included "Mr. Zirlik? Yes," "Mr. Westmeyer? Yes," "Mr. Emerick? No," "Mr. McGarry? Yes," and "Mr. Wolke? Yes." The motion to deny the mural was adopted, with one recorded dissent.

Discussion (not action) included questions about how the design manual defines a building's "front" where murals are restricted and whether previous approvals should inform current decisions. Staff clarified that some earlier murals were allowed because the design manual had not yet been adopted and that the micromural program approves much smaller works. The commission did not approve the mural as proposed; the formal action was denial.

The commission proceeded to the next agenda items after the votes.