Why was April originally planned to be a blonde in Nick's show?

[Cowabunga Carl]

Originally Posted by CyberCubed

I have to admit, if April stayed with blonde hair she wouldn't seem like April to me. The fact that she's 16 is a change but the red hair makes her look I dunno...more familiar?

But why? What does having a different hair color take from the character?

I mean honestly it seems like the whole mask thing for the Turtles. Red or colored aren't they the same characters?