By Karen Haave
An ordinance approved by the Monee Village Board strictly regulates murals on outside walls on both public and private property or near existing parks.
The ordinance has been under consideration and revisions for the past year. It prohibits negative images related to religion, politics, and other social issues, and only experienced artists will be permitted to do the paintings.
The ordinance defines a mural as any “inscription, drawing, mark, or design that is etched, painted, or sprayed upon the exterior portion of a building and is visible from the public way.”
It notes that “illegal graffiti shall not be considered as a mural.”
At the same time, it stipulates “artists, organizations, or individuals who wish to paint or create a mural must obtain written permission from the property owner. Paintings or murals placed on property without the owner’s consent are strictly prohibited and shall be considered illegal.”
Upon obtaining permission from the property owner, the application to paint the mural must be filed with the village and will be processed as defined in the ordinance.
According to the ordinance, murals must be completed by an artist with prior experience, and adjacent property owners must submit a letter of support.
Murals may not be commercial in nature, will not be permitted “where its content is offensive or displays a clear and present danger or breach of peace.” Also, murals “may not be offensive depicting negative images or beliefs relative to religion, political viewpoints, or other social issues.”
After filing an application permit for a mural, along with the proposed mural design, it must be reviewed by the village’s Zoning Board of Appeals.
The Zoning Board will review the application and, based upon discussions with the property owner and artist, will then issue an advisory recommendation of support or non- support to the Village Board of Trustees. The village board will conduct public hearings, if necessary seeking input from the residents. After a review of the application and public comments, the village board will either approve or deny the request.
The property owner will be responsible for maintaining the mural in good condition, and the village will not be responsible for the creation, upkeep, or repair of the artwork.
If for any reason the mural is removed, the property owner is responsible for restoring the property to its original condition and, if vandalism or graffiti to the mural occurs, it will be the property owner’s responsibility to remove it within 48 hours after notification. If the graffiti is not removed in a timely fashion, village staff can remove the graffiti using standard removal materials.
Discussion of murals surfaced when Second Place Church proposed including one on the side of its Oak and Main Street building, now being renovated for a coffeehouse and meeting space.
Village officials found the idea appealing, but wanted an ordinance that would carefully regulate the process and types of artwork that would be acceptable.