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Government & Education

FATE OF MOUNT DORA ARTWORK SET FOR SEPT. 14

9/1/2017

9 Comments

 
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Mount Dora, the Central Florida city building a reputation for being art-friendly, will put that to a test in September.

The homeowners cited for graffiti after commissioning a local artist's interpretation of "Starry Night" on their wall have appealed the violation. The magistrate hearing is scheduled for September 14 at 9 a.m. at Mount Dora City Hall.  The magistrate is contracted by the City.

When Richard Barrenechea was hired by the homeowners to create the artwork, he had no idea a storm would brew in the town that hosts an annual art festival ranked seventh in the nation.


Before beginning the mural, the homeowner, who wished not to have their names published, sought permission from the City of Mount Dora Planning Department and were told no permission was needed to create a painting on the wall.  ​

PictureABOVE: The homeowner immediately removed the artist's wooden stake sign to comply with a signage violation also on the notice.
After a forty-foot section was nearly complete and received praise on social media, the homeowner was cited by Mount Dora Police Department’s code enforcement officer on July 26.  

The Notice of Violation was for graffiti, as well as signage due to a wooden sign the artist had temporarily staked near the wall.   The officer reportedly was unaware of the iconic  painting in New York’s Museum of Modern Art, so one of the homeowners advised her of its significance,  but the citation was still issued. 


The homeowners were unaware of the small sign staked outside the wall and called the code enforcement officer for clarification.  Upon being advised of the illegal sign, they immediately complied by removing the sign.  Days later, the City stated that the "Starry Night" mural was cited for both the graffiti and the signage violations.  That statement directly contradicted their code enforcement officer's confirmation to homeowners that the signage violation was for the temporary wooden sign.  

PictureABOVE: Another mural in a residential Mount Dora neighborhood has remained for years.
The city code (Section 22.960 b) pertains to “Maintenance Requirements” and reads “"The property shall be maintained free of graffiti or similar markings by removal or painting over with an exterior grade paint that matches the color of the exterior structure."  The June 26 notice required the wall to be repainted by July 31.  
​
"I feel disappointed the city doesn't appreciate a painting of the iconic work of van Gogh as art.  I hope this gets resolved positively," said Barrenechea.


​The homeowners appealed the graffiti violation claiming that the City of Mount Dora first allowed the painting and later erroneously defined it as graffiti.  Another nearby mural in another residential area has remained highly visible for years.
​
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9 Comments
Laura Young
8/30/2017 10:03:03 am

It's beautiful. The city of Mt.Dora should embrace this not trash this. Grow up council members. Change your code.

Reply
Marc Spence
8/30/2017 01:02:19 pm

Seems odd that city has issue and has allowed other "graffiti" to stay

Reply
Ken Robinson
8/30/2017 01:18:30 pm

The tone of the author of this article indicates they do not approve of the citation being issued. It seems to me the officer was only doing their duty. Just because he or she didn't ignore the complaint is indicative they are doing the job they were hired to do. If we have laws, we should enforce them. Picking and choosing an ordinance to enforce or to not enforce is a bad practice. I think our council members were very mature when they created this ordinance years ago and I think we have a very mature council now. Maybe the issue here is whether or not the ordinance should be changed. A violation is a violation and the Enforcement Officer did their job. Thank you people in uniform!!!

Reply
Crandall May
9/3/2017 04:59:42 pm

There is no violation. 22.960 applies to abandoned properties not occupied ones. Everyone need to do their homework before reacting. Feelings aren't facts.

Joe DiFiore
8/30/2017 02:29:23 pm

Perhaps their should be better communication between Planning Dept. and Code Enforcement. Example: Planning Dept requesting preliminary artist drawing of mural and running it by Code Enforcement before giving approval to home owner?

Reply
Crandall May
9/3/2017 04:42:46 pm

The story here is that sec. 22.960, which is being used to support the citation, refers to abandoned buildings not occupied buildings. Look it up. This citation should have never been written as this dwelling is occupied. This part of the city code was designed to stop blight not art. The city cannot, by using 22.960, cause the homeowner to remove the art. The officer should have done her homework before making this an issue. The city council, I am sure, has to know this and will act accordingly as there is no code violation.

Reply
Rick M
9/14/2017 12:48:38 pm

Renain calm... All is as it should be. Code officers cite as they see fit. Homeowners have an appeals process available to them. Magistrate decides. I think it will turn out well and hope to see more TASTEFUL art around town. Love this piece. Adds to the artsy vibe of iur cool town.

Reply
Richard Bolin
9/27/2017 11:31:49 am

They say art is the last bastion of free speech
I would cut off my ear to see the mural stay

Reply
Michael Hadden
10/1/2017 08:20:59 pm

In general, the Code Enforcement officer is directed to a possible violation after a complaint has been filed, just curious about who complained ?

Reply



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