City Council to mull tightening of mural application process

The Moose mural in the Union Street parking lot is one of the most recognizable in the downtown. (Courtesy photo)

ROCHESTER - Rochester has embraced murals as an art form for years, especially in the downtown where they adorn the red brick walls of several buildings and other structures.

But they were regulated through the city's sign ordinance, which wasn't the appropriate mechanism, Deputy City Manager Katie Ambrose said on Monday.

"It was identified that they should be more specifically addressed ... and with their own separate application process," she said.

The ordinance that will be considered for adoption tonight allows for placement in the following districts: Neighborhood mixed, Downtown Commercial, Highway Commercial and Granite Ridge Development District.

Any mural proposed for installation on public property must be approved by the City Council.

If a mural is sought on private property that is viewable from a public right of way, the city's Arts and Culture commission would have purview. If the mural is in the Historic District, the Historic District Commission would also have to approve.

Ambrose said having the mural permitting process located within the sign ordinance made no sense, because signs are commercial and murals align with aesthetics or art.

There is also language in the ordinance dealing with upkeep of murals and the size of the mural relative to the square footage of the wall on which it is placed.

Historical District Commission Chair Molly Meulenbroek said the ordinance will allow greater collaboration between city boards as they work through the approval process with the applicant.

"The Arts and Culture Commission will provide the expertise on evaluating the plan with an artist, as well as understanding their previous experience," said Meulenbroek. "This will facilitate better decision making at the Historic District Commission and Planning Board. As for the HDC, we can concentrate on making sure that future murals will not negatively impact the conditions of historic masonry or other building materials."

Meulenbroek also expressed her overall support for the murals.

"I hope that Rochester will continue to support the arts in all media and that having murals throughout the city will enliven and enrich our community," she added.

Also to be discussed at tonight's meeting are new rules regarding outdoor dining in the downtown, which is scheduled to begin in April.

The meeting starts at 6:30 p.m. via Microsoft Teams.

Residents can make public comment by emailing PublicInput@rochesternh.net by 4 p.m. today or Voicemail at 603-330-7107 by noon today.

In addition, the City Council will be allowing the public to enter Council Chambers and speak in person during the Public Input portion of this meeting.