Plymouth BZA approves variance for mural on east wall of Quick's Lanes

Quick Lanes at 1024 West Jefferson Street in Plymouth was granted a Variance of Development Standard to allow for a mural larger than the city’s permitted maximum.   

Tuesday night, members of the Plymouth Board of Zoning Appeals heard the request of Big Pretzel LLC to allow a full wall mural along the exterior wall of the Quick’s Lanes Bowling Alley parking lot.

Planning Director Ty Adley said the city’s current standards only permit 30% of the wall to be covered in a mural.  He said the proposed mural will include The King Pin Corner, which pays homage to the bowling alley, The REES, Heartland Art Center, and Wild Rose Moon.  Adley said they want to cover the full 1,200 square feet.

Adley explained that the city’s ordinance, which restricts the percentage of wall space allowed for a mural, has been proposed to be amended, but the legislation hasn’t been presented to the city council yet. Adley said that because businesses are proposed for the mural, under the current ordinance, they would not be permitted. He said it is considered the commercial side of signage rather than an artistic mural.  The BZA may need to consider in the future the approval of the design if the businesses are to remain on the mural.      

The owner of Quick’s Lanes, Grant Holm, told the Plymouth BZA that his intent was not to commercialize the mural, but rather to highlight iconic places in Plymouth that people would know. He said, “The idea is to continue to add more art to the community and continue to grow the downtown area.”  

During the public hearing, Dan Sellers spoke in favor of the idea.  He said, “It would be a major improvement over a blank wall.”

The BZA unanimously approved the Variance of Development Standard to allow the full-wall mural at Quick Lanes.