In an attempt to combat incessant vandalism, Lumberworld hired painters to create a mural on the side of the Quadra Street business. In January, a bare wall metamorphosed into a forest vista.
The only problem is the business skipped a process that requires Saanich to approve public pieces of art.
This week, eight months after the fact, council gave its OK to the mural bringing it into compliance with municipal bylaws.
“Art is in the eye of the beholder,” says Coun. Vicki Sanders, who lives near Lumberworld and isn’t too keen on the darkness of the deep woods design.
Under the unsightly premises bylaw, any artwork painted on an outside wall – even at a private business – is considered graffiti unless given council approval, or a jury assists in the design and selection process.
Saanich’s director of planning says police and bylaw enforcement officers will soon begin handing out brochures to businesses when dealing with graffiti complaints outlining the proper steps to take if they want to commission a mural.
kslavin@saanichnews.com