Commission recommends approval of 'galloping pony' mural for Church Street alley

The Sandpoint Arts, Culture, and Historic Preservation Commission on Aug. 11 recommended that the City Council approve a mural proposed for the north alley at 502–504 Church Street.

Chairwoman Ellie Sosnes moved the recommendation after a staff presentation and discussion about how the image should be classified under city code. "I would like to ask for a motion to advise the city council to approve this mural, the galloping pony mural at 502504 Church Street on a north alley side," Sosnes said, and the motion passed with no recorded opposition.

City staff described the code distinction between a mural ("a pictorial display without advertising copy") and a mural sign (which may include letters or logos representing on‑site business use). Bill Dean, the commission's staff liaison, told commissioners the application sits "on the bubble" but that the submitted design reads more as art than advertising.

Clay Hutchison, who represented the Carousel of Smiles application, said the project is intended as a community paint-in event supervised by experienced artists so many local residents can participate. "We have been doing a restoration on carousel for 8 some odd years now, and our approach has always been to involve the community," Hutchison said during his remarks.

The commission will forward its recommendation to the City Council, which makes the final decision under the city's review process.