City says that 'Starry Night' mural is a distraction to drivers
MOUNT DORA, Fla. (FOX 35 WOFL) - A Mount Dora couple is battle the city over the "Starry Night" inspired mural on the exterior of their home and fence.
In the past, local officials have stated that the painting is considered a sign and not up to code. They say it’s earning business for the artist and distracting people who pass by on Old US 441. They have even gone as far as to attempted to charge the city over $8,000.
The City of Mount Dora made another statement on the home on Tuesday night. They claim that the home is a "distraction to safe vehicle operation." They believe that there is no safe place for pedestrians to view the home from the street and no place for a vehicle to pull over, slow down, or stop because the home is located in a residential neighborhood on a two-lane right-of-way, in which there are no sidewalks along the front of the wall.
They also say that another concern of the city is balancing the interests of the property owners in the city's residential neighborhoods, given that there are strong feelings and reactions to the mural.
The city went on to say that they do not want to prevent anyone from enjoying the art, but it is the city's intention to protect the safety of everyone who lives in Mount Dora and those who come to visit.