"Flying Donut" mural has caused controversy
photo by Wes Schultz
District 7 City Councilman Chris Anderson said he likes the "Flying Donut" mural that has gotten into trouble with city inspectors, and he said the city sign ordinance needs to be updated.
The owner of Koch's Bakery said she spent $11,000 on the mural on the side of a nearby building on 20th Street.
City inspectors said it violates the city sign ordinance by being a form of advertising the business.
Councilman Anderson said, "Our city needs more public artistic displays and Koch's Bakery simply was trying to beautify a blighted area. The sign inspector was simply doing his job and enforcing the existing city code that this City Council and mayor inherited.
"The problem is not the inspector; the problem is the antiquated law. I am working hard to change it and bring the Chattanooga sign ordinances into a more modern era. We should support public art and public expression. I intend to make this positive change to the city code in the coming weeks."