Florence City panel approves rear windows at Thompson’s Barber College, requires wall evaluation to protect mural

The Florence City Planning Commission on a unanimous voice vote approved an application to install new undivided windows at Thompson’s Barber College, 218 North Dargan Street, but required the applicant to have the rear wall evaluated and repaired before any painting or stucco work that could affect an adjacent mural.

Planning staff told the commission the applicant wants the windows to bring natural light into classrooms at the back of the building. The building is the end unit of three adjacent storefronts in the city’s historic overlay district and in a mixed-use zoning designation. Staff showed photos of the proposed simple undivided windows and said the applicant had not yet decided on a dark or silver frame color.

Staff recommended against repainting the wall around the mural because the city holds an easement that covers the portion where the mural ends; instead, staff suggested sealing the exposed brick rather than overpainting the mural. Staff also advised the commission that the mural is not painted directly on the brick but is an applied material that had been adhered to the wall during the mural’s installation.

Commissioners discussed the condition of the rear wall, noting it appears to have been an interior wall of an adjacent building at one time and that the brick shows shelling and deterioration. Several commissioners said the rear brick will need structural preparation, pointing out that sealing alone will not provide the protection paint can offer and that preparation (pointing, plaster, or stucco) may be required before any finish is applied.

A motion to approve the window installation “as submitted with the caveat that they need to have the wall evaluated on how to properly apply the paint” passed after a voice vote. The motion called for the applicant to coordinate with the building department on technical repairs before any painting or stucco that could affect the mural; the motion was made by Commissioner Patchin and seconded (name not specified). The record shows a voice vote in which members answered “Aye”; no roll-call tally of individual votes was recorded, and the commission directed that a certificate be issued.

Staff said the city may grant permission to work within the easement up to the point where the mural ends and noted it is in the city’s interest that the mural remain undamaged and that the project be done “right” to make the mural stand out. Staff also said copies of the city’s design standards will be provided at the commission’s next meeting. The applicant was advised that the building department would specify the technical requirements for window installation and any necessary wall repairs.

No members of the public were present to speak on the item during the hearing. The commission closed the public hearing and approved the application with the stated condition. The commission noted the applicant could pursue grants to help fund wall repairs but did not take any action on funding.

Details recorded in the meeting: the project site is next to Bridal Funeral Home and near commercial properties including Hope Health and Ideal Funeral Home; the rear wall shows signs of water infiltration and failing brick; the mural was installed over a prepared surface rather than painted directly on the exposed, failing brick.

The commission will meet again on August 13; staff said design standards copies would be available at that meeting.