NEW PORT RICHEY, Fla. — The future of murals is up for conversation.
Tuesday night, The New Port Richey City Council will decide whether or not they want to amend a current ordinance allowing more text area on murals.
What You Need To Know
- New Port Richey City Council will decide whether or not they want to amend a current ordinance allowing more text area on murals
- Discussion being brought forward by City Manager Debbie Manns after noticing a mural off Main Street
- The city says the applicant for the mural did not go through the proper application process the city has for artists, submitting the application after the mural was made rather than before
The discussion is being brought forward by City Manager Debbie Manns after noticing a mural off Main Street which serves as a greeting to visitors reading ‘Welcome to New Port Richey.’
According to Manns, the applicant for the mural did not go through the proper application process the city has for artists. That application was submitted after the mural was made rather than before.
Manns says as appealing as the mural is — it’s not up to code.
The text of the mural exceeds the allotted 2% sizing outlined in the city’s code of ordinances, prompting tonight’s discussion by the City Council.
“They could change the text requirement, or they could tell me to get rid of the whole ordinance,” said Manns. “Or they could say to start over again, or they could say we’re really happy with what we have.”
A few cities across the Bay Area have similar protocols when it comes to murals.
Zephyrhills has a Design Committee that reviews applications and interviews artists. Dunedin also has an Arts and Culture Committee to review. However, there is no specific regulation other than their sign ordinance where business names cannot be used.
New Port Richey’s City Council will have the ultimate say.
