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Orland residents split over water-tank look; Arts Commission recommends pale yellow and no mural
Summary
Council reviewed an Arts Commission memo recommending a light 'lemon water' base color, advising against a mural because of durability on galvanized panels, and suggesting wrought-iron fencing and trees for screening. Public commenters were split between hiding the tank with landscaping and adding a visible mural or sculptural work.
City staff presented an Arts Commission recommendation on the new 1-million-gallon water tanksite on Calusa/Sixth Street: choose a light, warm pale yellow ("lemon water" in the commission palette), avoid a painted mural because of durability and maintenance concerns for galvanized-steel panels, and prefer wrought-iron fencing with a row of Italian cypress for visual screening.
During public comment, residents expressed divided views. Jen Walker, a local resident, urged the council to "hide it" and rely on planting to screen the structure, praising the Arts Commissionmembers as "our experts." Another commenter said murals in other towns had become landmarks; they suggested a small mural or a tree motif on the west side where it would be visible to motorists.
Staff noted vendor and contractor constraints: the tank panels arrive with a primer and a manufacturer-approved topcoat, and staff advised the council that declaring a base color immediately could help the contractor prepare final coatings. The city also has a landscape-architect request-for-proposal in process; councilmembers emphasized coordinating color choice with landscaping plans.
Council direction and next steps: Council asked staff to engage the city's contracted professional-services consultant and to scope costs for landscaping and any durable coatings or finishes. No formal ordinance or binding design decision was made; councilmembers said they would defer to professional design input and return with cost estimates and design options for later action.
Why it matters: The tank sits close to the street and will be a long-term visual feature. Residents and the Arts Commission framed the choice as a trade-off between visibility and community aesthetics, durability and maintenance costs.
