Memorandum

City of Lawrence

City Manager Office

 

TO:

David L. Corliss, City Manager

FROM:

Diane Stoddard, Assistant City Manager

CC:

Kathy Porsch, Chair, Lawrence Cultural Arts Commission

Cynthia Wagner, Assistant City Manager

Date:

August 21, 2012

RE:

Mural Request from 1109 Gallery

 

Please place the following item on the City Commission consent agenda for consideration at their August 28, 2012 meeting:

 

Approve Sign Permit for Mural Installation on the rear of the building occupied by the 1109 Gallery at 1109 Massachusetts Street.

 

Project Background

The sign permit application for this project was submitted to the Department of Planning and Development Services on July 25, 2012. The project request related to a mural that had been installed earlier in the summer on the rear (alley side) of the building at 1109 Massachusetts.  The applicant was not aware that there was a process in place to regulate murals under the city’s sign code.  Therefore, the applicant was requested to go through the formal approval process.  The structure is private and the mural was funded privately.

 

The City regulates murals as part of the sign regulations.  The process calls for the review by the Lawrence Cultural Arts Commission, in accordance with criteria set forth by the Cultural Arts Commission, and then approval by the City Commission.

 

Project Status.

The Lawrence Cultural Arts Commission reviewed the proposed mural at its August 8, 2012 meeting.  The Lawrence Cultural Arts Commission voted unanimously to recommend that the City Commission approve the sign permit and the mural. 

 

Action Requested.

The Lawrence Arts Cultural Commission recommends that the City Commission approve the proposed mural and sign permit.