OLDS — A municipal planning commission (MPC) member and a planner are confident a decision to approve a mural that didn’t strictly follow the Town of Olds' approval process won’t set a precedent.
And even if it does, they say the MPC is not bound by that and can still reject a proposed mural if they so choose.
That discussion occurred during a July 21 MPC meeting as commissioners pondered an application from building owner Murray Elliott for a development permit to keep the mural.
It was painted on the east side of Elliott’s Mountain View Publishing building at 5013 51st Street in Olds as part of the set for an episode of The Last Of Us, filmed in Olds May 31 and June 1.
Ordinarily, under Town of Olds' rules, proposed murals must initially be submitted to the Public Art Advisory Committee (PAAC) for approval. They then go to the MPC for final approval or rejection.
Because this mural was created for a movie set, it was simply painted on the east side of the building without going through that process. It was expected to be painted over after the film crew left town.
However, Elliott liked it so much he applied to have it approved to remain.
During discussion, MPC Chair Mary Anne Overwater asked if that could set a precedent, whereby other property owners would feel free to bypass the approval process – which she admitted can be lengthy – because this one did.
However, it was noted that after the mural was painted, Elliott did go through the process by seeking and obtaining approval from the PAAC, before it went to the MPC for final approval.
“You aren’t bound by precedent,” Craig Teal of Parkland Community Planning Services said.
He said property owners who choose not to follow the approval process risk the Town of Olds requiring their murals to be painted over.
Coun. Wanda Blatz echoed that reply.
“That would be the same as any other person who decided they wanted to go ahead without following the proper process.
“They would have to have that mural painted over. And I believe that’s the proper way it should be done,” she said.
Overwater stressed that she thought the mural in question is “great.”
“I hope to see more murals in the downtown core because I think it does bring people to the community to see the beautification that we have,” she said.
Coun. Darren Wilson also said he liked the mural in question.
“The mural looks good; I agree with the comments. Too bad it’s not in a more visible, more prominent spot,” he said.
Wilson asked what obligations there are on the part of mural owners to ensure they remain in good condition.
“Those obligations fall on whoever owns the building that the mural is attached to. It’s not back to the original artist or whoever commissioned it,” Teal said.
“It’s your building, it’s your development permit. Those obligations fall directly to you as the property owner.”
Overwater liked that requirement.
“I think that was one of our biggest issues when we started the Public Art Advisory (Committee) was as to who maintains it when it starts coming into disrepair. And in whose opinion is it when it looks like it’s in disrepair,” she said.
Concern was expressed about murals potentially being defaced by graffiti.
Teal said it’s his understanding that graffiti and its removal is covered under the town’s community standards bylaw.
