The Seaside Planning Commission on May 22 unanimously approved architectural review AR24‑06 to permit a 2,300‑square‑foot mural on the facade of 1230 Fremont Boulevard.

Assistant planner Eric Azriel told the commission the mural is required to follow the Seaside Municipal Code amendment governing murals and is categorically exempt from the California Environmental Quality Act. Azriel said the project has partial funding from a FLIP grant and carries a June 30 completion timeline tied to the grant.

“...this is the correct process for approving a mural,” Azriel said, summarizing staff’s review and recommendation. He described proposed maintenance conditions: washing at least once every two years, reapplying a protective clear coat as needed, repairing damage within 60 days and removing graffiti within 15 days; he also referenced Chapter 8.31 for broader graffiti enforcement.

Denise Sanders, founder and director of Open Ground Studios and the applicant for the mural, described the studio’s community programming and said the mural is intended as a celebratory capstone for the studio’s 11th anniversary. “We believe that art plays a profound role in our human experience,” Sanders said, explaining the studio’s vision and the role of the FLIP grant in funding facade and sign upgrades.

Artist Paul Richmond, who will paint the mural with Brenda Scatrini Saglio, said the work is meant to “celebrate the diversity of the artists there and also the diversity of Seaside, in general.” Richmond noted his personal connection to the studio and the mural’s community focus.

Commissioners asked clarifying questions about the protective coating and maintenance expectations and expressed support for public art on local buildings. After brief discussion an unidentified commissioner moved to approve AR24‑06 “with the rules that the city has put forth as far as keeping it up,” a second was made and the motion passed unanimously.

Chair William Silva announced that any appeal of the decision must be submitted in writing to the city council and filed with the city clerk within seven calendar days with the required filing fee.

The mural approval includes staff‑recommended conditions of approval described at the hearing; the project team must meet those conditions and the June 30 grant timeline.