Morris v. City of New Orleans
Opinion of the Court
Before the Court are two motions: (1) the defendant's Rule 12(b)(6) motion to dismiss; and (2) the plaintiff's motion to strike the defendant's supplemental memorandum in support of its motion to dismiss. For the reasons that follow, the plaintiff's motion to strike is GRANTED, and the defendant's motion to dismiss is GRANTED in part, as to the plaintiff's "class of one" Equal Protection claim under the Fourteenth Amendment, and DENIED in part, as to the plaintiff's pled claim that the City's Comprehensive Zoning Ordinance, § 21.6.V, constitutes an unconstitutional content-based regulation and prior restraint of speech in violation of the First Amendment.
Background
This civil rights lawsuit challenges the constitutionality of the City's murals-permit scheme, which regulates the installation of artwork on all private property throughout the City of New Orleans.
Neal Morris lives in Orleans Parish, where he owns residential and commercial properties. In late 2017, seeking information concerning the City's murals permit process and the criteria used to determine approval, Morris visited New Orleans City Hall. No City employee gave him the information he requested. Nevertheless, on November 4, 2017, Morris commissioned a local artist to paint a mural on a commercial property he owns at 3521 South Liberty Street. The mural quotes a comment made by President Donald Trump, recorded in a 2005 "Access Hollywood" segment; the mural replaces with pictograms two vulgar words used by Trump.
Just a few days after the mural was painted, a local news outlet publicized a story about the mural and noted that murals "are typically regulated by the Historic District Landmarks Commission and the City Council." The same day the news story was published, on November 8, 2017, the City of New Orleans Department of Safety and Permits sent Morris a letter advising him that the mural violated a zoning ordinance. Specifically, Jennifer Cecil, the purported director of the City's "One Stop for Permits and Licenses," wrote that an inspection of the property on November 8 revealed a violation of Section 12.2.4(8) of the Comprehensive Zoning Ordinance, which, according to the letter, concerns "Prohibited Signs-Historic District." Ms. Cecil described the violation:
*549The mural on the building on this property is not allowed in that the property is zoned residentially and murals shall not be permitted in any residentially zoned historic district.
Morris was told to remove the mural, and warned that his failure to do so by November 22, 2017
will cause the Department of Safety and Permits to initiate appropriate legal action to secure compliance. The penalty for failure to comply is a maximum fine or jail for each and every day the violation continues plus court cost as prescribed by law.
Ms. Cecil said Morris should contact her once the mural was removed so that she could re-inspect the property.
Morris discovered several inaccuracies in the November 8 letter: Section 12.2.4(8) does not exist; there is no section titled "Prohibited Signs-Historic District" in the CZO; nor does the CZO contain a blanket prohibition on murals in residentially zoned historic districts. On November 17, 2017, Morris wrote to the City requesting clarification in light of his discovery of the inaccuracies in Ms. Cecil's letter.
Fearing prosecution, Morris sued the City on March 13, 2018, alleging that the "murals-permit scheme (Comprehensive Zoning Ordinance § 216.V et seq. and Municipal Code § 134-78A et seq.)" violate his First and Fourteenth Amendment rights.
• A preliminary (and ultimately permanent) injunction barring the City from enforcing the murals-permit scheme, Comprehensive Zoning Ordinance § 21.6.V et seq. and Municipal Code § 134-78A et seq.
• A declaratory judgment that the City's actions, policies, and procedures embodied in the murals-permit scheme are unconstitutional violations of the plaintiff's rights under the First Amendment, as well as the Due Process and Equal Protection Clauses of the Fourteenth Amendment of the United States Constitution.
• Reasonable attorney's fees, expenses, and costs under42 U.S.C. § 1988 .
About two months after Morris filed suit, on May 24, 2018, the New Orleans City Council enacted M.C.S., Ordinance No. 27783, which removed Sections 134-78A and 134-78B from the Municipal Code. As a result, the City's murals-permitting scheme is now found only at CZO Section 21.6.V.
Then, on June 6, 2018, the City moved to dismiss the plaintiff's claims under Rule 12(b)(6) on the grounds that its murals-permitting scheme, now located only at CZO Section 21.6.V, is facially constitutional as a valid time, place, and manner restriction, and that the plaintiff's due process and equal protection claims are without merit. Morris filed an opposition to the motion to dismiss on June 19, 2018, and the City was granted leave to file a reply on June 27, 2018.
About a month later, on August 2, 2018, the City was granted leave to file a supplemental memorandum in support of its motion to dismiss. In this paper, the City informs the Court that Morris "appears" to have violated his agreement with the City.
*551I.
Rule 12(b)(6) of the Federal Rules of Civil Procedure allows a party to move for dismissal of a complaint for failure to state a claim upon which relief can be granted. Such a motion is rarely granted because it is viewed with disfavor. See Lowrey v. Tex. A & M Univ. Sys.,
Under Rule 8(a)(2) of the Federal Rules of Civil Procedure, a pleading must contain a "short and plain statement of the claim showing that the pleader is entitled to relief." Ashcroft v. Iqbal,
In considering a Rule 12(b)(6) motion, the Court "accept[s] all well-pleaded facts as true and view[s] all facts in the light most favorable to the plaintiff." See Thompson v. City of Waco, Texas,
To survive dismissal, " 'a complaint must contain sufficient factual matter, accepted as true, to state a claim to relief that is plausible on its face.' " Gonzalez v. Kay,
II.
As a threshold matter, the Court addresses Morris' motion to strike the City's supplemental memorandum in support of its motion to dismiss. This challenged pleading contains extraneous allegations regarding Morris' purported violation of his "agreement" with the City. In particular, the City informs the Court that Morris agreed to give the City notice prior to erecting any new *552mural and that he has erected additional murals without providing such notice. The City also relates that Morris has formed the "Nola Mural Project" in an effort to "defy New Orleans ordinances." While such conduct might seem to some as contemptuous and immature, the Court may only rely on factual allegations contained within the plaintiff's complaint when deciding a Rule 12(b)(6) motion to dismiss, so it may not consider this submission.
III.
The Court next considers whether the plaintiff has standing to prosecute this lawsuit. In its motion to dismiss, the City contends that the plaintiff lacks standing because he has failed to establish that he has suffered an injury-in-fact. The City submits that the plaintiff has paid no "fees," did not even apply for a permit, and will not have to take down his murals or pay a fine for failing to do so, in light of the City's pledge to stay enforcement against his murals during the pendency of this lawsuit.
"Article III of the Constitution limits federal courts' jurisdiction to certain 'Cases' and 'Controversies.' " Clapper v. Amnesty Int'l USA,
A plaintiff must show (1) it has suffered an "injury in fact" that is (a) concrete and particularized and (b) actual or imminent, not conjectural or hypothetical; (2) the injury is fairly traceable to the challenged action of the defendant; and (3) it is likely, as opposed to merely speculative, that the injury will be redressed by a favorable decision.
Friends of the Earth, Inc. v. Laidlaw Env'l Services (TOC), Inc.,
Morris alleges that by installing a mural on his property, he engaged in activity that is protected by the First Amendment, and the City sought to curtail that activity. He further alleges that he seeks to continue expressing his rights under the First Amendment by installing additional murals. Accordingly, Morris seeks an injunction against the enforcement of the City's ordinance requiring a permit for his murals, a declaratory judgment that this scheme is unconstitutional, and reasonable attorneys' fees, expenses, and costs. Because Morris seeks to redress the threatened enforcement of an allegedly unconstitutional law, he clearly has standing.
IV.
Morris complains that the City's murals-permit scheme violates the First Amendment as (1) a content-based regulation of speech and (2) a prior restraint on speech.
A.
The First Amendment, applicable to the states through the Fourteenth Amendment, instructs that a state "shall make no law ... abridging the freedom of speech[.]" U.S. Const. amend. I ; XIV. Murals are artwork, which has long been held to be expression protected by the First Amendment. Hurley v. Irish-American Gay, Lesbian and Bisexual Group of Boston,
B.
To evaluate the constitutionality of a municipal ordinance that regulates a form of expression, a court must first determine whether the regulation is content-based or content-neutral and then apply the appropriate level of scrutiny. See Reed v. Town of Gilbert, Ariz., --- U.S. ----,
On the other hand, a content-neutral regulation of speech is subject to what the high court calls the time, place, and manner test. See Ward,
Morris alleges that the murals-permit scheme is an unconstitutional content-based regulation of speech in two ways: (1) "murals" are regulated differently from "signs" based on their content; and (2) murals are subjected to "acceptability" review based on their content.
Morris first alleges that § 21.6.V is a content-based regulation because it subjects murals to a regulatory framework based on their content.
In its motion to dismiss, the City contends that the plaintiff's complaint "intentionally left out" part of the drawing submittal requirement. Section 21.6.V.2(b) provides in full: "General drawing and written description of the type of mural (painted, mosaic, etc)." The City declares that it is simply attempting to determine the type of mural insofar as the medium used and that the contents of a mural are not reviewed. It further submits that the standards of approval do not even contemplate the contents of a mural, but rather, seek to ensure that the historic fabric of the City remains intact and that the health, safety, and welfare of the public are maintained.
The Court turns to the provisions of the CZO regarding murals to determine whether their plain language allows for content review. Section 21.6.V.1(a), entitled "Application," provides:
No person, firm, or corporation may commence a mural installation on a site without development plan and design review approval by the Executive Director of the City Planning Commission and the Design Advisory Committee in accordance with Section 4.5. A separate application is required for each mural on a site.
According to § 21.6.V.1(a), the process for approving murals permits is located in *555§ 4.5, entitled "Development Plan and Design Review." Two subsections of § 4.5 - namely, those discussing its purpose and approval standards - are relevant in determining whether the content of murals is considered in the review process. First, § 4.5A sets forth the "purpose" of the development plan and design review process as follows:
The development plan and design review process is intended to promote orderly development and redevelopment in the City and to assure that such development or redevelopment occurs in a manner that is harmonious with surrounding properties and neighborhoods, is consistent with the Master Plan, and promotes the general welfare of the City. This section provides standards by which to determine and control the physical layout and design to:
1. Ensure compatibility of land uses and structures.
2. Protect and enhance community property values.
3. Ensure the efficient use of land.
4. Minimize traffic and safety hazards.
5. Ensure efficient parking layout.
6. Minimize environmental impacts.
7. Incorporate proper stormwater management and sustainable design techniques.
In addition, § 4.5E contains "approval standards" designed to guide City Officials during the review process. Section 4.5E provides in pertinent part:
In reviewing site plan and design review applications, the relationship of the development plan to adopted land use policies and the goals and objectives of the Master Plan shall be evaluated. In addition, the following characteristics shall be considered:
1. Degree of conformity with the regulations of this Ordinance.
2. Degree of conformity with all applicable regulations within the City Code, and the goals and policies of the Master Plan.
3. The location, arrangement, size, design, and general site compatibility of buildings, lighting, and signs, including:
a. Compatibility with, and mitigation of, any potential impact upon, adjacent property.
b. Site illumination designed and installed to minimize adverse impact on adjacent properties.
c. Signs in accordance with Article 24.
...
6. Building design that enhances the design quality and character of the surrounding community through strategies such as:
a. Maintaining existing development patterns reflected in the intent of the Master Plan or other adopted plans, or reflecting changes proposed within the Master Plan or other adopted plans.
b. Providing a visible transition in height and bulk between higher and lower density development.
c. Reinforcing the prevailing orientation to the street.
d. Strengthening the character of walkable streets, intact residential neighborhoods, and other environments for which this prevailing character reflects the urban design goals of the Master Plan.
e. Respecting historic design context.
Returning to § 21.6.V of the CZO, which contains provisions devoted exclusively to murals, § 21.6.V.2 sets forth "required submittals" for a murals permit application as follows:
*556a. Building elevation drawn to scale that identifies:
i. The façade on which the mural is proposed.
ii. The location of existing and proposed murals.
iii. The mural dimensions.
iv. The height of the mural above grade.
v. The building eave/cornice and roofline.
b. General drawing and written description of the type of mural (painted, mosaic, etc).
c. If the mural is not painted directly on a wall surface, details showing how the mural is affixed to the wall surface.
Finally, "standards" for murals are located in § 21.6.V.3, which provides:
a. Murals are considered public art. Murals are not permitted to advertise any product, service or brand. No off-premise advertising is permitted. Non-commercial messages are permitted.
b. Mural areas will not be painted on or obscure architectural features such as windows, doors (other than egress-only), pilasters, cornices, signs required by the City Code, or other building trim, feature bands, and other recessed or projecting features.
c. Murals with any element that weighs more than seven (7) pounds per square foot, or in total weighs more than four-hundred (400) pounds require structural review and approval from the Director of the Department of Safety and Permits.
d. Building owners are responsible for ensuring that a permitted mural is maintained in good condition and is repaired in the case of vandalism or accidental destruction.
e. Muralists and building owners are encouraged to use protective clear top coatings, cleanable surfaces, and/or other measures that will discourage vandalism or facilitate easier and cheaper repair of the mural if needed.
When these provisions are read together, the CZO requires an applicant to submit a general drawing of his mural for development plan and design review approval by the Executive Director of the City Planning Commission and the Design Advisory Committee. The purpose of the review process is to assure that the proposed development is "harmonious with surrounding properties and neighborhoods" and "promotes the general welfare of the City." In reviewing an application, City officials must consider whether the proposed design is compatible with adjacent property and "enhances the design quality and character of the surrounding community," such as by "strengthening the character" of streets and neighborhoods and "respecting historic design context." Finally, the CZO designates "standards" for murals, indicating that murals may only include non-commercial messages, may not be painted on or obscure architectural features like windows or doors, may not weigh more than a certain amount without structural review and approval, and must be maintained in good condition by the building owner.
Accordingly, a plain reading of the CZO reveals that the "development plan and design review approval" process involves a review of the content of proposed murals. Because applicants are required to submit a general drawing of their proposal mural for "development plan and design review approval," it cannot reasonably be said that City officials do not consider content when determining whether to approve or deny a permit. The stated purpose of the design review and approval process and standards for approval further lend support to this conclusion. Indeed, City officials *557cannot determine whether a mural's design "enhances the quality and character of the surrounding community," "strengthen[s] the character" of streets and neighborhoods, or "respect[s] historical design context" without evaluating the content of the proposed mural. Although the CZO sets forth "standards" for murals regarding placement, weight, and condition, these standards do not eliminate City officials' ability to review content. Moreover, notably absent from the CZO is a disclaimer that content shall not be considered. Ultimately, because the drawing submittal requirement cannot be justified by a purpose other than intended content review, the Court finds that the plaintiff has plausibly alleged that the murals permit application process constitutes a content-based regulation of speech.
This determination implicates strict scrutiny, which requires the City "to prove that the restriction furthers a compelling interest and is narrowly tailored to achieve that interest." Reed,
The City has no compelling interest in preventing Plaintiff and other property owners from commissioning, painting, or installing murals on their own properties. Even if the City had a compelling interest in regulating murals on private property, its regulatory scheme is not so narrowly tailored that no less restrictive measure would satisfy that purported interest.
As indicated by the stated "purpose" for the City's development plan and design review process, the regulation primarily is intended to preserve the City's aesthetic appeal and advance traffic safety. The plaintiff contends in his opposition papers that these interests are not compelling. He further submits that the regulation is not narrowly tailored because it is overinclusive, as it applies throughout the City and is not limited to historically designated homes or neighborhoods. Finally, the plaintiff contends that the City could protect its interests through less restrictive means, such as by citing property owners with zoning violations after they occur, rather than engaging in advanced review coupled with extensive paperwork and submission requirements. Assuming for the purpose of argument, as did the Supreme Court in Reed v. Town of Gilbert, Ariz., --- U.S. ----,
C.
The Court next considers whether Morris alleged sufficient facts to state a *558claim that § 21.6.V is an unconstitutional prior restraint of speech under the First Amendment. Morris alleges that this section requires individuals to obtain development plan and design review approval before installing a mural on their property and that City officials have unfettered discretion to approve or deny a permit.
The case literature is not particularly friendly to the City's arguments. Although prior restraints on speech are not per se unconstitutional, the Supreme Court has consistently held that any system of prior restraint bears a heavy presumption of unconstitutionality. See FW/PBS, Inc. v. City of Dallas,
"First, a scheme that places 'unbridled discretion in the hands of a government official or agency constitutes a prior restraint and may result in censorship.' " FW/PBS, Inc.,
In addition, the Supreme Court has held that three procedural safeguards are required to ensure that certain prior restraints are constitutional. Freedman v. Maryland,
(1) any restraint prior to judicial review can be imposed only for a specified brief period during which the status quo must be maintained; (2) expeditious judicial review of that decision must be available; and (3) the censor must bear the burden of going to court to suppress the speech and must bear the burden of proof once in court.
More recently, in Thomas v. Chicago Park District, the Supreme Court held that where a licensing scheme amounts to a content-neutral time, place, and manner regulation, rather than subject-matter censorship, the procedural safeguards set forth in Freedman do not apply.
*559
Morris alleges that § 21.6.V requires a property owner to obtain a permit before installing artwork on the exterior of his property and therefore constitutes a prior restraint of speech. He further alleges that it amounts to an unconstitutional prior restraint because it leaves City officials with unfettered discretion to approve or deny an application. He adds that the CZO contains no standards relevant to the composition of an artistic mural and provides no timeline for the murals-permit application's approval.
The Court turns to the relevant provisions of the CZO to determine whether the plain language reveals that officials are left with unbridled discretion. As previously discussed, § 4.5E sets forth approval standards for the development plan and design review process.
V.
Next, the Court turns to whether Morris has pled sufficient facts to state a claim that § 21.6.V violates his due process rights. Morris alleges that this section violates the Due Process Clause of the Fourteenth Amendment because it subjects artistic expression to prior review by unspecified officials using vague, overbroad, uncabined or nonexistent standards over an indefinite period of time, with no deadline for City review. Again, in his opposition paper, Morris submits that an applicant "cannot know how the composition of his proposed mural will be assessed." In substance, Morris' due process claim appears to amount to a void-for-vagueness challenge.
The Fourteenth Amendment provides that "[n]o person shall ... be deprived of life, liberty, or property without due process of law." U.S. Const. amend. XIV. The Supreme Court has consistently held that "[i]t is a basic principle of due process that an enactment is void for vagueness if its prohibitions are not clearly defined." City of Mesquite v. Aladdin's Castle,
In his complaint, Morris alleges that, according to the CZO, the " 'design review process' is purportedly 'intended to promote orderly development and redevelopment in the City,' ... and to assure that such development 'occurs in a manner that is harmonious with surrounding properties and neighborhood.' " He further alleges that "[t]he CZO's 'design review process' contains no standards relevant to the composition of an artistic mural nor any standards sufficiently specific to provide adequate notice to Plaintiff or other applicants." In so doing, Morris has plausibly alleged that the CZO's provisions regarding the permit application process are "too vague to support the denial of an application for a [murals permit]." See
*561VI.
Finally, the Court considers whether Morris has stated a claim that § 21.6.V violates equal protection. Morris alleges that the murals-permit scheme violates the Equal Protection Clause of the Fourteenth Amendment on its face because it allows artwork to be displayed by permit holders, but not by non-permit holders, and as applied to him because the City has selectively enforced the law against him but not against other non-permit holders.
The Fourteenth Amendment provides that a State may not "deny any person within its jurisdiction the equal protection of the laws." Equal protection analysis is triggered when "challenged government action classifies or distinguishes between two or more relevant groups." Qutb v. Strauss,
In this case, § 21.6.V of the CZO distinguishes between permit holders and non-permit holders, allowing the former to install murals on the exterior walls of their property and precluding the latter from doing so. Accordingly, this statutory classification infringes upon the freedom of expression under the First Amendment and triggers strict scrutiny analysis. Because the Court has determined that Morris has adequately pled a claim that § 21.6.V constitutes an unconstitutional content-based regulation and prior restraint under the First Amendment, he has likewise pled a claim that this section's differential treatment of permit and non-permit holders violates the Equal Protection Clause of the Fourteenth Amendment on its face.
Morris also raises a "class of one" Equal Protection claim. To establish a "class of one" Equal Protection claim, a plaintiff must allege that he "has been intentionally treated differently from others similarly situated and that there is no rational basis for the difference in treatment." Willowbrook v. Olech,
Morris alleges that the City has selectively enforced the murals permit requirement against him but not against other non-permit holders. To support this allegation, he notes that a mural was recently painted on the side of the Ogden Museum and that, based upon information and belief, no permit has been issued, and the owner has not been cited for failing to obtain one. He also alleges that various City-owned buildings, including a fire station located on Girod Street, bear murals for which he believes neither permits, nor zoning violations, have been issued.
*562The City contends in its motion to dismiss that the two murals to which Morris points indeed participated in the City's review process. The City directs the Court to a Notice located on the City's website, indicating that the Historic District Landmarks Commission approved the mural located on the side of the Ogden Museum.
The City also contends in its motion to dismiss that the mural located on the Girod fire station obtained approval in accordance with the CZO, appealing and receiving ultimate approval from the City Planning Commission after the Executive Director initially denied the request. In an attempt to corroborate this contention, the City directs the Court to a City Planning Commission Staff Report located on a different City website. However, Morris correctly notes in his opposition paper that this Report only indicates that the Executive Director denied the fire station's mural application and that, on appeal to the City Planning Commission, the Commission also recommended denial. In response, the City contends in its reply paper that because the fire station is government property, the mural located thereon constitutes government speech, which is not subject to scrutiny under the First Amendment. See Pleasant Grove City, Utah v. Summum,
This noisy point-counterpoint notwithstanding, the plaintiff has pled that he was perhaps treated differently from two non-permit holders, but he has not pled that such differential treatment was "intentional." In other words, the plaintiff has not alleged that the City's decision to cite him for not having obtained a murals permit, as required by the CZO, was "irrational and wholly arbitrary." See Willowbrook,
Accordingly, it is ORDERED: that the plaintiff's motion to strike is GRANTED, and the defendant's motion to dismiss is GRANTED in part, as to the plaintiff's "class of one" Equal Protection claim under the Fourteenth Amendment, and DENIED in part, as to the plaintiff's claim that § 21.6.V constitutes an unconstitutional content-based regulation and prior restraint of speech in violation of the First *563Amendment, as well as to the plaintiff's Due Process claim and facial challenge under the Equal Protection Clause of the Fourteenth Amendment.
At the conclusion of his letter to the City, Morris wrote:
Can you tell me whether my artwork is a mural or a sign under the CZO, and can you explain how this determination is made?
Again, I am attempting to comply with the City's zoning regulations, but I cannot tell from the letter I received what the alleged zoning violation is. I would appreciate your clarification.
Section 216.V of the New Orleans Comprehensive Zoning Ordinance does not exist. Morris intended to refer to Section 21.6.V, which is entitled "Murals."
Morris complains that "signs" are subject to a distinct regulatory scheme, and that some signs are exempt from the permit requirements, whereas no murals are exempt from the permit requirement.
According to the allegations of the complaint, the Municipal Code and CZO provide that mural applications are reviewed by at least three City departments: the City Planning Commission, the Design Advisory Committee, and the Board of Murals Review, with ultimate approval left to the City Council. Although the Code and CZO reference a "Board of Murals Review," its authority, guidelines, procedures, membership, and governance are not defined. It is alleged that there are no standards or timeline specified for any of these departments or for the process itself. An opaque process with no defined standards, officials, timeline, or purpose, Morris alleges, renders him without notice of the substantive violations and procedural regulations that he breached and is breaching and for which he faces criminal sanctions.
For example, Morris singles out a mural by artist Yoko Ono, which was painted on November 15, 2017 on the Ogden Museum, without a permit and without being cited for a zoning violation for the mural.
Because the City has repealed Sections 134-78A and 134-78B of the Municipal Code, the Court does not consider Morris' challenges respecting these provisions, including his allegations concerning the "murals review board." See McCorvey v. Hill,
The City notes that, in a good faith attempt to resolve this case, the parties stipulated that the City would not take enforcement action against the plaintiff's murals and that the plaintiff would give the City notice prior to erecting any new mural. The City further submits that Morris has erected numerous murals throughout the City without giving prior notice and that many of these murals are in violation of the CZO and the Historic District Landmark Commission's Guidelines. Finally, the City relates that the plaintiff has formed the "Nola Mural Project" in an effort to "defy New Orleans ordinances."
On a 12(b)(6) motion to dismiss, the Court may only rely on "the complaint, its proper attachments, 'documents incorporated into the complaint by reference, and matters of which a court may take judicial notice.' " Randall D. Wolcott, M.D., P.A. v. Sebelius,
See Susan B. Anthony List v. Driehaus,
See City of Mesquite v. Aladdin's Castle,
" 'The vice of content-based legislation ... is not that it is always used for invidious, thought-control purposes, but that it lends itself to use for those purposes.' " Id. at 2229 (quoting Hill v. Colorado,
The plaintiff notes that "murals" are regulated pursuant to § 21.6.V of the CZO, while "signs" are regulated under Article 24 of the CZO. Because murals are artwork, and a form of expression, the Court does not reach the distinction between murals and signs.
The City's response seems to be an effort to say the "narrowly tailored" issue has been addressed.
At best, the appellate literature, dominated by little more than empty platitudes, seems to say that a review of artwork may never survive strict scrutiny. Municipalities are given little guidance.
The Court emphasizes that the only question before the Court is whether, under the Federal Rules of Civil Procedure, the plaintiff has pled sufficient facts to state a constitutional claim.
Section 4.5E provides in part:
In reviewing site plan and design review applications, the relationship of the development plan to adopted land use policies and the goals and objectives of the Master Plan shall be evaluated. In addition, the following characteristics shall be considered:
1. Degree of conformity with the regulations of this Ordinance.
2. Degree of conformity with all applicable regulations within the City Code, and the goals and policies of the Master Plan.
3. The location, arrangement, size, design, and general site compatibility of buildings, lighting, and signs, including:
a. Compatibility with, and mitigation of, any potential impact upon, adjacent property.
b. Site illumination designed and installed to minimize adverse impact on adjacent properties.
c. Signs in accordance with Article 24.
...
6. Building design that enhances the design quality and character of the surrounding community through strategies such as:
a. Maintaining existing development patterns reflected in the intent of the Master Plan or other adopted plans, or reflecting changes proposed within the Master Plan or other adopted plans.
b. Providing a visible transition in height and bulk between higher and lower density development.
c. Reinforcing the prevailing orientation to the street.
d. Strengthening the character of walkable streets, intact residential neighborhoods, and other environments for which this prevailing character reflects the urban design goals of the Master Plan.
e. Respecting historic design context.
"The Fifth Circuit has determined that courts may take judicial notice of governmental websites." In re Katrina Canal Breaches Consol. Litig., No. 05-4182,
Section 21.6.V.1(b) provides:
Any structure within a local historic district or on a historically designated structure requires approval of the Historic District Landmarks Commission or Vieux Carré Commission prior to review by the Design Advisory Committee. If the Historic District Landmarks Commission or Vieux Carré Commission does not approve the mural, the mural is prohibited.
Reference
- Full Case Name
- Neal MORRIS v. CITY OF NEW ORLEANS
- Cited By
- 1 case
- Status
- Published