Lee's Summit council allows Dave's Hot Chicken to keep side and rear murals but orders front painted neutral

Council members on Thursday approved an appeal from a restaurant owner, allowing large, branded murals on the side and rear facades of a Dave's Hot Chicken at 1808 Northwest Chipman Road while requiring the removal of the mural on the building's primary (front) facade.

The decision came after the applicant, Kurt Stobb, told council the artwork is core to the national chain's branding and that the installation cost about $58,000. "It cost me $58,000 there in the painting," Stobb said during his presentation, arguing the colorful exterior would boost sales and bring customers to a struggling shopping center. He also said he would repaint the front facade to a neutral color if the council denied the front mural.

City senior planner Claire Byers summarized staff's review and the code basis for denial. Byers said staff found the mural was installed before a permit was approved and that the primary facade mural must be removed under City Code (designated provisions governing primary facades and mural permit standards). "Murals are not permitted on primary facades by code of ordinances section 21'100," Byers said. Staff also concluded the side/rear proposal failed to meet design standard FD because the artwork appeared visually disconnected from the multi'tenant building and inconsistent with Summit Woods Crossing''s approved elevations and color palette.

Council members discussed balancing the shopping center's established, neutral palette with the economic benefit of a new business. Several members urged staff and the applicant to work together on a palette or transition treatment so the side and rear murals are less visually disruptive. Councilmember Shields moved to approve the appeal to allow the side and rear facades for Dave's Hot Chicken and Councilmember Carlisle seconded. The motion carried unanimously (8'0'00). The front mural must be removed and repainted to a neutral color before the business opens, and the approved side/rear treatment remains subject to staff review for maintenance and compliance.

What's next: Staff and the applicant were asked to coordinate on a maintenance plan and possible palette tweaks to make the murals more cohesive with the development; the applicant agreed to upkeep responsibilities and to repaint the primary facade to white if they vacate the site or the mural falls into disrepair.