To avoid surprises, city of SLO should get a better handle on downtown paint jobs | Opinion
Whew!
It’s a relief to learn that the blindingly white paint on the historic H.M. Warden Jr. Building in downtown San Luis Obispo is only primer, and the actual color will be a more subdued off-white.
It’s surprising though, that city staff had no advance notice of the decision to repaint such a prominent building.
What’s more, it’s unclear whether the city requires that downtown property owners seek approval before they change the exterior color of historic buildings.
Brian Leveille, a senior planner with the city, said there is “some vagueness in the ordinance” that covers such work.
“... It’s not clear in our ordinance or in our current requirements that you have to get a permit necessarily for painting a building,” he told Tribune reporter Kaytlyn Leslie.
After hearing more about the plans for the 120-year-old Warden building, we’re confident it will be just fine.
Only the lower floor, which was covered in stucco long ago, and the cornices will be repainted. The natural brick on the upper floor will remain.
“Once they conclude, hopefully, it should fit in a lot better with downtown,” Leveille said.
But what about next time?
Unless the city is explicit about the color scheme for buildings in the historic downtown, what’s to prevent an owner from choosing something garish like bubble gum pink or neon yellow?
The vagueness in the ordinance is a potential problem that should be remedied as soon as possible.
After all, downtown is critical to SLO’s popularity as a visitor destination, and locals care greatly about preserving the historic integrity of their city. That was apparent from the outcry on social media from folks who feared bright white was the final color for the Warden building.
We strongly urge the city to update its historic preservation ordinance to require prior approval for exterior paint changes.
That’s not picky — it’s protective.
This story was originally published July 11, 2023 at 5:00 AM.