Council approves first reading of mural ordinance, directs staff to draft downtown overlay

Homestead City Council approved the first reading of an ordinance amending Chapter 23 of the city code to clarify the process and standards for mural approval and directed staff to draft an area-specific overlay for the downtown corridor.

Councilmember (speaker 12) described a proposed "Maori" corridor overlay that would allow larger mural surfaces on selected back walls facing Lozner Park and adjacent blocks. Discussion centered on limiting the overlay geographically (west of Rome to protect a historic mural), whether fronts of storefronts should be included, and whether an upper size or percentage cap should be established. Staff indicated an overlay could be drafted to allow exceptions to the current 20% wall-area limit in a defined district and return for a second reading.

Council voted to pass the ordinance on first reading with direction for staff to refine the corridor boundaries and present size recommendations and legal language for the second reading. Councilmembers asked for briefings on criteria and mechanisms between readings to ensure consistent review at the next hearing.