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Historic board discusses WWII monument, string lights and murals, offers limited guidance
Summary
Board members said statues and freestanding monuments are often exempt from review, indicated string lights strung between buildings typically do not require board action unless permanent fixtures are attached, and said mural review should be limited to permanence and attachment to historic fabric rather than style or color.
Members of the York City Historical Architectural Review Board discussed several general-business items including the World War II monument on the courthouse square, proposed string lights near the Central Market, and questions about murals and public art.
World War II monument and string lights: a board member (S8) asked whether the World War II monument had been reviewed previously; members said freestanding monuments or statues are often treated as landscape features and may be exempt from review. Regarding string lights strung between buildings — cited examples at New York Central Market and Lancaster Central Market — members said permanent fixtures mounted to buildings would require review, but lights strung between buildings typically fall outside the board’s review unless local ordinance dictates otherwise.
Murals and public art: the board discussed precedent in which permanently mounted murals or removable panels were reviewed to ensure attachment methods did not permanently damage historic brick. Members emphasized they historically avoided regulating mural colors or artistic style unless the mural was permanent and attached such that the historic fabric would be affected. One member noted the board had reviewed some permanently mounted installations (mosaics, panels) and asked for a broad, permissive approach unless public complaints or permanence required closer oversight.
Why it matters: the guidance clarifies the board’s practical limits and priorities: protect historic fabric where installations are permanently affixed, but avoid overreach into artistic choices and temporary streetscape features.
Outcome: no formal motions were recorded on these topics; members agreed to treat statues/monuments and string lights differently depending on permanence and attachment, and to focus any review of murals on permanence and attachment methods rather than colors or style.
The board adjourned after the discussion.
