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Palatka commissioners pause second reading of mural rules after wide public concern
Summary
Public artists, business owners and residents told the City Commission the proposed mural ordinance could limit storefront window art, bind private property owners to long‑term maintenance and conflict with a 2025 Florida law; commissioners asked staff for revisions and broader community engagement.
The Palatka City Commission on March 12 faced sustained public opposition to a proposed ordinance that would regulate permanent public murals on exterior walls, prompting commissioners to pause and ask staff for further review.
The ordinance, presented on second reading as Ordinance 2026‑18, would require a mural permit and application materials including a maintenance manual and property‑owner consent. City attorney West told the commission the rules would apply only to new, permanent exterior murals and would not be retroactive; temporary window paintings for holidays and brief events would not require permits.
But artists and business owners said the language remains unclear and could burden property owners. "If I buy a property and put a mural on it, I may have to sign up for the long haul," said Shelly Schenker of the Larimer Arts Center, warning that future owners could face restrictions or restoration orders. Veteran window painter Kent Huggins, who said he paints storefront windows as a volunteer, urged the commission to preserve the practice: "I clean the windows before I paint them ... and then I take them down and leave them cleaner than I found them."
Opponents also cited state law. Pam Garis told the commission that Florida Statute 180 (2025) restricts new local regulations that are more burdensome than preexisting rules, and urged commissioners not to adopt provisions that could be preempted by state law.
Commissioners voiced a mix of positions but repeatedly flagged "subjective" review criteria in the draft, such as conformity with historic and architectural context and the planning department's discretion to evaluate design. Commissioner Davis said he favored a regulatory framework but asked staff to narrow subjective standards. Several commissioners suggested a community workplan and further public outreach before final adoption.
Mayor Currier said staff should return with clarifications and a revised draft. The commission did not complete second reading action and directed staff to consider edits, stronger guidance on maintenance and ownership transitions, and broader engagement with the mural committee and the public.
Next steps: staff will review the ordinance language, advise whether any provisions conflict with Florida Statute 180, and return with recommended changes and additional community outreach before the commission votes again.
