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Planning Commission approves mural at 610 South Main after applicant says artist painted it without prior permit
Summary
The Clawson Planning Commission unanimously approved a mural at 610 South Main (business identified in the application as Barb's Pizzas and Pastis) after staff said the artwork had already been painted. The owner told commissioners the artist is a family member and that the work contains no commercial messaging.
The Clawson Planning Commission on Oct. 28 approved an after-the-fact mural application for 610 South Main, a carryout restaurant identified in the packet as Barb's Pizzas and Pastis.
The commission voted, by roll call, to approve the mural after staff told members the work was already on the building's south wall and meets the three mural standards in the application packet: commercial messaging under 25% of the mural area (staff said there is no commercial message), compatibility with the building's colors and aesthetics, and that the mural provides a public benefit not achievable through standard wall signage.
The applicant, who identified herself as one of the business owners, told the commission she had discussed the wall with city staff in advance and later asked her cousin, a professional muralist, to paint the wall during a visit. She said the artist — whom she described as having completed more than 100 murals worldwide — painted the lion image the Saturday before the meeting and that she had not expected the work to be completed prior to submitting the formal application. "I didn't know he was gonna do it, and I wasn't sure what it was gonna be," the applicant said, adding the artist typically does non-commercial public art.
Commissioners noted the city has previously denied mural designs that were later revised (staff cited a prior case involving Noble Fish) and discussed the need to remind applicants of the permitting requirement. Several commissioners said they had no objection to the mural as submitted. A motion to approve the application carried on a unanimous roll-call vote.
The commission's approval was limited to the mural standards as presented. Staff reminded the commission that work done before approval can be subject to enforcement, including a requirement to remove or repaint the work if the commission finds it noncompliant.
The applicant supplied background about the artist and said the mural had drawn significant positive attention on social media. The commission did not impose conditions beyond confirming the mural complies with the city's mural standards.
