A first reading of an ordinance that would allow for and regulate murals within the city of Blue Ridge was held at Tuesday evening’s Blue Ridge City council meeting August 16.
City Attorney Chuck Conerly explained, “Essentially, what it (ordinance) would do, is that any mural would require the approval of the city council following the review and recommendation by the Downtown Development Authority(DDA)...there are limitations on the number of applications that can be accepted in each year.”
Five applications can be submitted every six months, allowing only two murals to be chosen.
Conerly also explained that the ordinance will establish some maintenance regulations as well.
City Councilman Jack Taylor asked, “If we accept this, rather than table this and move forward, can we have an option to go in and change this ordinance if we see fit?” Conerly confirmed that the city council could change the ordinance between now and the second reading.
City Councilwoman Angie Arp questioned the council, “Do y’all got any suggestions, or is this good with y’all?”
Taylor responded, “I don’t mind the first reading as long as we can change some things if we get a little deeper into this and see that there’s maybe some things we need to change...I just want to control what can be put on a mural.”
Mayor Rhonda Haight informed council members that according to the ordinance, the council would get a final say in each mural that is recommended by the DDA.
Councilman William Whaley stated, “We’re called the art city, and I think it’s appropriate to have...I think we need to control it, and I think this is the way to control it.”
Taylor added, “I agree, Doc, and that’s my concern, that this thing will sometime get out of control...there’s some things we don’t want on the side of a building in Blue Ridge.”
Haight urged anyone who had any further questions or concerns to reach out to Conerly or City Administrator Eric Soroka.