INSIDE CITY HALL Here are some of...

INSIDE CITY HALL

Here are some of the items the City Council discussed at Monday’s

meeting:

ART IN PUBLIC PLACES PROGRAM

In September, the Planning Commission recommended that the council

adopt an Art in Public Places ordinance and policy manual. A council

study session on the topic was held in January.

The commission prefers to focus on “monumental sculptures” as

eligible artwork because they are bolder and are more visual art

statements than murals and are also less likely to attract graffiti.

Based on a review of other cities’ programs, the commission

determined that two types of projects should be subject to an Art in

Public Places fee: new commercial and industrial development with a

building valuation of $750,000 or more; and exterior tenant

improvements, remodeling, repair or reconstruction projects with a

building valuation of $750,000 or more for existing commercial and

industrial development.

WHAT HAPPENED

Councilwoman Libby Cowan requested a continuance because she

wasn’t sure if she would still be at the meeting at the time the item

was discussed because she is recovering from knee surgery. The

council approved the continuance 5-0.

CHANGE IN GENERAL PLAN SCREENING

On March 3, the council directed staff to process a general plan

change screening request for 1676 Tustin Ave. This action was taken

along with the appeal of the Planning Commission’s denial of a

two-story mini-storage building. The council upheld the commission’s

denial.

The 10,300-square-foot site is designated as general commercial on

the general plan map. The site is bounded by an existing two-story

commercial building to the north and two single-family homes to the

south. To the east is a commercial center parking lot.

City policy requires the screening of a change to the general plan

before its approval for processing.

WHAT HAPPENED

The council unanimously approved the screening request. Staff

recommends evaluation of low-density and medium-density residential

zoning for the site.

-- Compiled by Deirdre Newman