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Planning commission approves mural at 158 South Rochester Road pending sign compliance
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Summary
The Clawson Planning Commission approved a mural for the south wall of 158 S. Rochester Road, contingent on the artwork meeting local sign-dimension and permitting rules; the applicant named artist Zach Curtis and said the design will include a Pallas Athena motif and the phrase 'Welcome to Clawson.'
The Clawson Planning Commission voted unanimously April 28 to approve a proposed mural for the south wall of 158 South Rochester Road, provided the final installation complies with the city’s sign regulations.
Staff introduced the item as a previously postponed case that needed clarification about materials and how the artwork would be implemented. The applicant told the commission his father owns the building and that he had engaged professional artist Zach Curtis, noting Curtis’s municipal work in nearby communities.
“I thought it'd be something cool to put in the background,” the applicant said, describing a central image inspired by Pallas Athena and a composition showing “an ambitious young person looking out to the world” with the words “Welcome to Clawson.” The applicant said the mural would be painted (the submittal lists marine enamel) and estimated the central motif at roughly 4-by-4 to 6-by-6 feet.
Commissioners questioned whether street trees that formerly shaded the wall would obstruct the mural and how business signage for the two storefronts would be handled. Staff said trees had been removed and that any tenant signage remaining on the wall would need to follow existing sign allowances; the applicant agreed to follow city parameters.
A commissioner moved to approve the mural application “pending approval of the ordinance first,” with a second from another commissioner. The commission took a roll-call vote and the chair announced the motion carried.
The approval is conditional on the applicant obtaining any required sign permits and meeting dimensional limits under the city code; staff recommended the applicant verify type, size and placement of any lettering before painting. The applicant said he may request an additional mural panel on the back of the building in the future but that is not part of this approval.
The commission’s action allows the mural to proceed once the sign-permit conditions are satisfied.
