Get Full Government Meeting Transcripts, Videos, & Alerts Forever!
Get email alerts on the Murals topic
No spam. Unsubscribe anytime.
Commission grants relief to paint full rear wall mural at 648 Monmouth; commissioner recused
Summary
The commission approved an exception to a newly adopted 50% wall-area limit to allow a full-size mural on the rear facade of 648 Monmouth, finding building configuration and existing paint on the wall would compromise the mural’s integrity if limited.
The Newport Historic Preservation Commission on Oct. 15 granted relief from the local 50% maximum wall-area standard to allow a full-size mural on the rear facade of 648 Monmouth Street, citing the building’s architectural layout and the painted condition of the wall.
Staff told the commission the property is an approximately 1885 two-story brick commercial building at the northwest corner of Seventh and Monmouth; its rear facade has already been painted. The city’s recently adopted mural ordinance (Chapter 103) requires review when a proposed mural exceeds 50% of a single wall area; the commission must determine whether the mural’s artistic integrity or the building’s configuration justifies larger coverage.
The applicant team — represented by attorney Tobias Eisenlohr and consultant Jason Reeser, with artist Hugh Mosco present — said the design relies on a larger continuous area and that many potential mural placement options on the wall would be fragmented by windows, doors and utility features. The artist and representatives argued that confining the design to a smaller area would compromise its visual integrity and that requiring a partial mural would leave painted patches that would still need treatment.
Commissioner Haas recused from the discussion because of a connection to the site; the remaining commissioners reviewed the staff report and the artist’s explanation focused on placement and the existing painted surface. Commissioners were careful to note they were reviewing only the location and scale under the ordinance, not mural content. After discussion, a motion to grant relief from the 50% maximum wall-area standard passed unanimously (excluding the recused member).
No additional conditions were attached by the commission at the hearing; staff will issue the appropriate paperwork and follow up on any required permits or documentation. The applicant indicated an intent to proceed promptly to prepare the wall ahead of an upcoming community event.
The decision allows a large-scale mural on a non-primary rear wall of a commercial building and clarifies how the commission will apply the newly adopted mural ordinance to walls with existing paint and multiple openings.
