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BELLEFONTE -- Bellefonte Borough Council tabled approval of a mural until it can see a rendering of the proposed design.
Discussion about the mural, which is a Downtown Bellefonte, Inc. project, took up the majority of Monday's meeting. Multiple members of council were concerned about approving a design they hadn't seen yet.
The project, coordinated through the Historic Architectural Review Board (HARB), would see a mural painted on the back of a building at 123 S. Allegheny St.
Gina Thompson, HARB Zoning and Planning Administrator, said DBI hopes to have the project done before winter.
"I have seen nothing," said Council President Doug Johnson. "How do we approve something we don't know what it is?"
Thompson explained that council was to approve the mural on a trust basis.
She noted that the design was presented at a review board meeting.
"If you went to HARB (meeting) you were able to see the mural design, however the mural design is confidential because it's a public mural and the consulting firm and DBI don't want the design to get out to the public before it's painted. HARB saw the design to give their rubber stamp and, as a formality because council has to formally approve HARB, you guys kind of have to give your rubber stamp of approval," said Thompson.
Thompson did not have a picture of the design at the meeting, but described some of the themes and items depicted on the mural.
A few borough officials spoke favorably of HARB.
"We placed people in HARB to make these decisions in the historical district. You guys recommend this mural and agree that this is okay," said Council Vice President Kent Bernier.
"Ones I have seen in other communities are very nice. Classy. They fit in and bring out the history," said Mayor Gene "Buddy" Johnson.
Borough Manager Ralph Stewart pointed out a fairness issue regarding the proposed mural.
"Every application I've ever seen had to present the color, materials and all the details of their project viewable for the public right away. Every homeowner in the district has had to do that since 1970. This is the first time something has been approved without seeing it, and that is not right," said Stewart.
Stewart's proclamation was met with numerous agreements among council members, all of which were not comfortable with approving a mural they hadn't seen.
"I'm all for it but this is unusual. To approve this without this council seeing a rendering... This has never been the case before," said Johnson.
Both Johnson and Stewart pointed out that they were supposed to have full transparency - all documents like this are supposed to be posted online so that the public can see them.
"If we don't trust these people to make the decisions in this district... (Gina) do you feel comfortable with what you know about this mural, where it's going to go and how it's going to be?" asked Bernier. He received a resounding yes from Thompson.
"We should vote, then. Based on her decision," Bernier said.
Council's decision was to table the decision until its next meeting so it can have a clear look at what would be voted on.
In other business council:
-- Reviewed a request regarding the Howard Fire Company's annual Punkin Chunkin Fall Festival.
Council approved the request to use the Bellefonte Fire Police, if they're available, to assist the Howard Fire Company at the event on Oct. 21, 2023.
-- Council also received notice that the Centre County Boroughs Association Fall Meeting is to be held at 6 p.m. on Oct. 18, and that the PA Boroughs Association Fall Leadership Conference would be held Oct. 13-15 in Bayfront Landing, Erie.