Town Council Supports Murals Ordinance Proposal



The Tappahannock Planning Commission is moving forward with the creation of a zoning text amendment to address murals.

The Tappahannock Planning Commission is moving forward with the creation of a zoning text amendment to address murals.

The Tappahannock Town Council has given its planning commission the goahead to continue working towards the creation of a zoning amendment that addresses murals.

Tappahannock Community Development Director/ Zoning Administrator Connie Dalton told Council at its monthly work session that the Planning Commission has been researching the process of providing guidelines for the review and approval of murals/public art in the town since last fall.

Dalton noted that as part of the commission’s discussions, research of other jurisdictions was undertaken and then the commissioners worked to draft parameters for town staff to utilize in preparing a zoning text amendment.

That proposed amendment was presented for Council’s review.

In a memo to Council, Dalton noted: “The Planning Commission provided that, “This is a forwardthinking document in order to ensure the Town of Tappahannock’s artwork in the form of murals is acceptable to the Town’s community as a whole and to provide guidelines for the art in the form of murals. This edition is not all inclusive but the beginning of having an ordinance in place to assure all property owners are following those guidelines.”

Dalton mentioned in the memo that “Mural art is widely considered one of the oldest methods of artistic expression and can, for example, enhance a historic district or other community districts. Murals can create a sense of place, strengthen a community’s identity, and reinforce a district’s character. With appropriate guidelines a community can strike an appropriate balance between honoring the community’s character and supporting artistic expression. Murals generally are defined such that they contain no advertising material which clearly distinguishes them from the requirements of the signage ordinance and places the emphasis on the aesthetic contribution of a mural.”

Dalton pointed out that no advertising of a business would be allowed and murals would be limited to the sides or rear of a building.

“I think it would be great to move forward with this,” Councilor Troy Balderson told Dalton.

“I commend you and appreciate your efforts so far,” added Councilor Fleet Dillard to Dalton.

The next steps call for the creation of a zoning text amendment, two required public hearings would be scheduled to solicit feedback from the community, as required by state code, Dalton said.

Following the first public hearing the Planning Commission’s recommendation would be forwarded to the Town Council. A second public hearing would be held to receive any additional public input prior to final action by the Council.

Upon questioning by Dillard, Dalton agreed that the town’s ordinance regarding signage should be reviewed.

In her monthly report to Council, Dalton noted that a downtown revitalization plan has been completed and will be presented to Council during its May 8 meeting.

She also said the technical update to the town’s comprehensive plan is continuing.

“We are working with consultants now to see that through,” Dalton reported.

Regarding new businesses, Dalton reported that approximately 20 permits (zoning/signs) have been filed for review and approval thus far in 2023.

Grand openings have occurred for Pizza Hut, Wawa, Vape and Game Shop. Projects under construction include the 1710 Tavern, Maltese Brewery, Mod Wash, Twice the Ice, Wine Shop, and KBS.

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