Orland council hears debate over water tank color, murals and landscaping

The Orland City Council on Feb. 18 considered recommendations from the Arts Commission about the exterior treatment of a new 1-million-gallon water storage tank near Sixth Street and Colusa Avenue.

The Arts Commission recommended the commission’s preferred base panel color — described in its memo as “lemon water” — opposed painting a mural on the galvanized steel panels and suggested wrought-iron fencing with a row of Italian cypress behind it for screening.

The memo, circulated to councilors in the agenda packet addendum, said a light-toned paint is better for reflecting summer heat and that painting a mural on welded, galvanized panels poses durability and repair issues. It also recommended landscaping and fencing in lieu of a mural to improve the appearance and protect the tank.

Council members and public speakers split on the recommendations. Several council members and members of the public said they supported the Arts Commission’s preference for a light color and prioritizing landscaping over decorative features. “I like the light color or anything light green to go with trees, and then plant trees. Put your money in the landscaping,” said one resident during public comment.

Other residents and several commenters urged using the tank as an opportunity to add a mural or other public art. One commenter said murals elsewhere have helped draw visitors and suggested a small mural visible from the west side; another urged considering sculptural elements that could be added over time.

City staff told the council the manufacturer’s panels already come with primer and that the contractor prefers a light color. Staff also said a final base color for the contractor’s final coating needs to be chosen before panel fabrication and that a short delay of a few weeks would not halt construction.

Council discussion emphasized two recurrent themes: (1) technical durability — whether painted murals would adhere and survive on welded galvanized panels and (2) sightlines and context — how much of the tank will be visible from the street given nearby buildings, fences and future landscaping. Staff repeated that research by the contractor and Arts Commission found durable murals on this panel type would be technically difficult and likely costly and short-lived.

Several speakers recommended engaging a landscape architect or other professional to design screening that works with the town’s streetscape plan. One council member said the city should not rush a final design without professional input: “None of us are architects or landscape designers. We really don’t have the expertise to figure out what this extremely large production should look like.”

Council direction and next steps discussed during the meeting were procedural: staff will obtain cost estimates for professional design advice and for landscaping options and report back. The Arts Commission’s color recommendation remains the working preference but the item was left open pending staff follow-up on landscaping costs and details.

Details from the meeting

- Project: new 1-million-gallon welded steel water storage tank near Sixth Street and Colusa Avenue. - Arts Commission recommendation (from memo): use a pale, warm-toned yellow described as “lemon water” as the base color; do not place a mural on welded galvanized panels; install wrought-iron fencing and plant Italian cypress to screen the tank. - Staff note: contractor panels arrive primed; a light base color is recommended to reflect summer heat; choosing a final base color will not necessarily delay construction by more than a few weeks.

Public comment and council concerns included durability of murals on welded panels, the tank’s limited visibility from drivers traveling at speed, the cost and timing of professional landscaping design, and the desire by some speakers to use the tank as an opportunity to promote Orland’s identity with a mural or sculptural feature.

The council did not take a binding final vote on color or mural policy; instead staff were asked to obtain cost estimates and return with options for landscaping and a proposed timeline for a final decision.

Upcoming steps

Staff will solicit cost estimates for professional design or landscape architecture services, provide those estimates and alternatives to council, and report back at a future meeting so councilors can make a final choice about base color, fencing and landscaping.