Sandpoint commission denies typography-style mural at 105 S. First Ave., cites sign-like concerns

The Sandpoint Arts, Culture, and Historic Preservation Commission voted June 9 to deny a mural application for 105 South First Avenue after commissioners concluded the proposed text and typography edged into advertising rather than public mural art.

Bill, a city staff member who led the commission through zoning questions, told the panel the city’s zoning ordinance (Title 9, Chapter 6) distinguishes murals from signs by whether imagery advertises activity or services inside a building. “If the mural depicts or identifies signals or otherwise advertises something that’s going on inside the establishment, then that’s a sign,” he said, describing how the code directs review and recommendation by the commission to City Council.

Commissioners debated whether the applicant’s typographic approach fit Sandpoint’s historic downtown character. Some members described the design as “trendy” and too text-focused to read as historic or place-making from the street. Chairwoman Ellie Sustice summarized the sentiment, saying the commission did not feel the design advanced the downtown character and that denial was the likely outcome.

The commission moved and seconded a motion to deny the mural application. With no members opposed, the motion carried. The denial does not prevent the applicant from submitting an alternative concept in the future; commissioners suggested that a substantially different design that better reflected local historic character or clearer noncommercial intent could be considered in a subsequent submittal.

The applicant listed in the packet is Jennings Waterhouse; the commission’s review relied on the materials submitted with the application. The commission’s recommendation will be forwarded to City Council as required by the ordinance.