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Newberg council backs pilot for neighborhood street paintings
Summary
The City Council agreed to have staff develop a pilot program for community-led street paintings after a resident presentation and questions about design, safety and maintenance.
The Newberg City Council on May 19 voted to ask staff to develop a pilot program that would allow neighborhood street paintings on low‑traffic residential streets.
David Hetty, a Newberg resident who works in affordable housing and presented the idea, told the council the projects are “installed directly on the pavement” and can build neighborhood connections by giving residents a shared project to maintain and celebrate. Hetty proposed a pilot on a cul‑de‑sac near Newberg High School and said he would lead design and neighbor outreach.
Council members and staff raised questions about safety, materials and long‑term upkeep. Scott (city staff) and Leanne (city staff) told the council they had reviewed toolkits used by Salem and Medford and recommended a permitting process that includes neighbor notification. Russ, identified in the meeting as a public‑works director, said the city would not take responsibility for ongoing maintenance and that staff had considered paint types and non‑slip additives to reduce hazards for bicyclists and motorcyclists.
Councilor Kelsey Wheatley asked how much neighbor buy‑in would be needed; city staff noted Salem’s toolkit uses a threshold where a substantial minority can block a project and suggested council could set a radius and approval percentage. Hetty and staff said the process would use an application describing dates, image, materials and signatures from nearby residents before staff review and a street‑closure/block‑party permit.
Mayor Rick Rosacker and several councilors said a pilot would limit city exposure while testing the program; Councilor Peggy McBride asked for clarity on maintenance and removal, and staff said the solid stain commonly used fades in roughly four to five years and can be power‑washed off if needed. Waste and traffic concerns led staff to recommend limiting projects to low‑volume streets or cul‑de‑sacs.
After discussion, a motion to proceed with staff drafting a pilot‑program outline was moved and seconded and passed unanimously. Council directed staff to return with an administrative outline based on other cities’ toolkits for council review and possible subsequent approval.
