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After its second vote, the city’s public arts committee approved two proposed murals by local street artist Michael “Porkchop” Lavallee at its meeting last night.

The committee first approved the murals at its meeting on Sept. 16, but due to a procedural misstep, they had to vote again last night.

“In our zeal to pass the applications through, it was brought to our attention that the applicant did not give 10 days notice to the property owners within 200 feet of the proposed murals,” said Mike Sodano, chairperson of the committee.

The application process is governed by the city’s public arts ordinance. The public arts committee was defunct until recently, but the 11-member body is now meeting once a month.

Jenn Hampton, owner of the local Parlor Gallery, attended both meetings on behalf of Lavallee.

Lavallee started one of the murals on Bond Street [above] but was forced to stop because he did not apply to the public arts committee beforehand. He will also start a new mural, depicting a mermaid, on the side of the Fastlane building, next door to the Asbury Lanes.

No one at last night’s meeting objected to the murals, although city resident Dennis Carroll verbalized support.

“I think these two murals will be a great addition to the city of Asbury Park,” he said.

 

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