Historic Preservation Commission Meeting – May 27, 2026

The Historic Preservation Commission convened at 6:32 p.m. on May 27, 2026, in City Hall Council Chambers. The meeting covered the approval of previous meeting minutes, a request for a large-scale supergraphic mural on the Strand Theatre, and updates on the Architectural Standards review. All actions were approved unanimously (4‑0).

Consent Calendar

• Attendance: Chair Riviera, Vice‑Chair Smiles, Commissioners Crognale and Watts were present. Commissioners Bolton, Fagan, and Councilman Rider were excused by motion (4‑0).
• Approval of Minutes: The motion summaries of the February 25, 2026, and April 22, 2026, meetings were approved as recorded and transcribed (4‑0). (Note: The agenda listed the earlier motion summary date as February 25, 2025; the minutes and transcript consistently refer to February 25, 2026, and the commission approved them as submitted.)

Public Comments & Testimony

• Steve Hartman (Sunbury, OH) expressed strong support for the supergraphic project. He encouraged the commission and property owners to also consider beautifying the rear of the Strand and neighboring buildings to make the parking lot area more inviting for visitors. He noted that these “backsides” are frequently viewed but often overlooked.
• Diana Hodges (Powell, OH), Executive Director of the Arts Castle and Gallery 22, announced the formation of the Arts Alliance of Delaware County, a coalition of 14 non‑profit arts organizations. She stated the Alliance seeks to create a unified voice for the arts and promote public art initiatives, citing a planned Delaware Arts Walk brochure that highlights existing murals, sculptures, and mosaics.

Discussion Items

• 2026‑1532 – Strand Theatre Supergraphic: The Strand Theater and Cultural Arts Association proposed an approximately 1,300‑square‑foot mural on the west (secondary) elevation of 28 East Winter Street, facing the adjacent parking lot. The mural would cover about one‑third of the stucco wall closest to Winter Street and feature shades of blue with red, yellow, and green accents in an Art Deco style, referencing movies such as Jaws, The Wizard of Oz, Spirited Away, Moana, Black Panther, The Matrix, and local connections like the film 42 (Jackie Robinson/Branch Rickey). The design would be hand‑painted with acrylic and latex paints by artist Nick Stull (BFA, Ohio Wesleyan).
  • Staff Presentation: Anna Kelsey, Planning and Zoning Administrator, presented background on the site (built circa 1900, adjacent hotel demolished in the 1970s), explained that the wall was never intended to be exposed, and stated the proposal complies with zoning code Section 1125.09E (supergraphics on secondary facades) and the sign standards in the Architectural Standards for the Historic District. Staff recommended approval with three conditions: (1) any significant revisions require administrative approval; (2) the supergraphic shall not be illuminated without a separate certificate of appropriateness; (3) a building/zoning permit must be obtained before installation.
  • Applicant Statements: Tracey Peyton (Strand Theatre) read a statement emphasizing the project’s respect for historic preservation and willingness to collaborate on adjustments. Nick Stull shared that painting the mural would be an honor, given his personal and family ties to Delaware. Chair Riviera and Vice‑Chair Smiles voiced strong support for the project, calling it an improvement to an “ugly wall.”
  • Commission Discussion: Commissioners asked about the movie references in the design, which included recognizable icons (Jaws, Wizard of Oz, Spirited Away, Black Panther, etc.) and local symbols within the film reel. All commissioners expressed approval.

Staff Comments

• Architectural Standards Update: Ms. Kelsey reported that the consultant is working on updating the Architectural Standards. Stakeholder outreach (Historical Society, Main Street Delaware) will begin soon, and a public feedback booth will be available at the First Friday event on June 5, 2026. The goal is to finalize the document by the end of 2026, with approvals from HPC, Planning Commission, and City Council expected by early 2027. The grant for the update must be closed out by mid‑2027.

Commissioner Comments

• Commissioner Crognale asked about a draft timeline for the Architectural Standards. Ms. Kelsey stated a draft would likely be ready late summer or early fall 2026, after initial public input and approval from the State Historic Preservation Office (SHPO).
• Diana Hodges provided additional information on the Arts Alliance and the existing public art resources in Delaware.

Key Outcomes

• Motion to Approve 2026‑1532: Commissioner Crognale moved to approve the supergraphic with staff’s recommended conditions; Vice‑Chair Smiles seconded. The motion passed unanimously (4‑0). The applicant was instructed to finalize installation details, coordinate with the adjacent property owner for parking access during installation, and submit a permit application to staff.
• Next Meeting: The next regular meeting is scheduled for June 24, 2026.
• Adjournment: The meeting adjourned at 6:56 p.m.