Salem business man refuses to abide city request to change mural
SALEM, Ohio- A Salem business man says some of the city's zoning rules, are "crippling" attempts to revitalize the downtown.
Scott Cahill owns a building on East State Street that is currently in violation of city code because of a mural that is painted on the side of the business.
Cahill told City Council on Tuesday evening he would "die" before removing the artwork.
"I paid for the mural, I put it on my building and there it shall stay," says Cahill.
The building is being leased by Moonstone Massotheropy. The mural includes the name of the business, which is why the city says the mural is in violation of city code.
According to a letter from the City Planning and Zoning Director because of the title of the business the mural constitutes a business sign, which requires a permit.
Cahill does not have the permit and has been given 30 days to paint over or remove the business name.
"It's one of these many silly rules that exists and there's no good reason for them," says Cahill. "Certainly you want retailers and you want people with businesses to have proper signage, to deny them that is simply ridiculous."
Cahill says the artwork is part of his efforts to revitalize the downtown. Graffiti has been a problem in the city and as a solution he has hired about a half dozen "young, frustrated artists" to paint murals on the side of his downtown properties.
In exchange for the venue for their artwork they have agreed to police and remove graffiti from the downtown.
City Council President Mickey Cope Weaver says while she supports Cahill's efforts, rules are rules.
"You can not let people simply not abide by the rules, they have to be addressed," says Weaver. "Perhaps they're changed, perhaps there is a variance but you can't allow someone to just say, 'No I'm not doing it that way.'"
Weaver said the city will continue to work with Cahill and his efforts to revitalize the downtown.
She says the city is always reconsidering ordinances to see if they are outdated or in need of change, but for now, the mural remains as it is.
