Newport officials are updating the city’s mural ordinance, introducing rules for projected art and reaffirming limits on where murals can appear.
The revisions were first presented to the Newport Historic Preservation Commission, which included components of public input. Newport City Manager John Hayden said the city feels like this ordinance balances the concerns that people have.
“It’s not going to be in residential areas. They can be in commercial areas,” Hayden said. “We’ve also been trying to balance our political speech to make sure everybody’s rights are protected, while also doing the best that we can to make sure that what we see out there is a good product that makes the city more beautiful.”
The historic preservation commission will serve as a de facto mural board. They’re not going to regulate based on content but rather ensure that the murals are appropriate in terms of size and other factors. The city cannot regulate or discern the content of a mural as it is a First Amendment issue.
The new guidelines were first approved by historic preservation at a special meeting on June 18. One major addition to the update includes a section for projection-style murals. They are permitted once annually per site and can remain for 30 consecutive days.
These murals are temporary, non-invasive light-based art displays. They must be static, with no flashing or changing images, unless they are part of an event like BLINK. The projected murals cannot produce glare onto adjacent properties and are subject to noise and lighting ordinances.
“I think the extra work that was done, a lot of this by staff, to allow for provisions for some of the projector-like murals, the more temporary murals. That’s brilliant,” said Newport Vice Mayor Julie Smith Morrow. “I don’t see a lot of other communities doing that sort of thing.”
Murals are still prohibited in residential zones and on residential structures.
Murals are permitted within the following zoning districts:
- Central Business District
- Central Business District Fringe
- Shopping Center
- Neighborhood Commercial (a zone located in south Newport along US 27 near Advanced Auto Parts)
- Riverfront Development
- Industrial one and two
- Transitional Zone
The property owner is responsible for all ongoing maintenance and upkeep of any mural. Should a mural become deteriorated or defaced, the city may order its repair or removal within a designated period of time.
“I believe that murals are good public art,” said Newport Mayor Tom Guidugli Jr. “They add vibrancy to the community and support it, and I support this.”
The commission heard a first reading of the updated rules at its meeting on July 21. It still requires a second reading by the commission.
