HomeMy WebLinkAboutCC 2026-04-14_10b Public Art_Monarch Books_PP
Architectural Review 25-005;
Public Art on Private Property;
Location – 201 E Branch Street
Presenting the staff report for the proposal to install public art at 201 E Branch St.
1
Background
May 14, 2024:
R5358 -- All projects reviewed by ARC and CC
Guidelines outline selection criteria, purpose and process
Applies to art proposed on private property with a non-residential land use that is visible from ROW
On May 14, 2024, City Council adopted Resolution 5358 amending the Public Art Guidelines and Donation Program. These Guidelines describe the approval process and selection criteria for
public art projects.
The mural is subject to the City’s public art guidelines because the proposal consists of art that is proposed on private property developed with a non-residential land use that is visible
from a right of way or public property
2
Application
150sf (15’x10’)
Navy Circle (5’ dia)
Cream Sans-Serif “What’s Your Story?”
“Hale Navy”
The application for Council’s consideration this evening is a mural proposed by the applicant, Monarch Books, on the western facing wall of its retail business located at 201 E Branch
St.
An image of the mural is provided here, measuring 150 sf and poses the question “whats your story? And contains imagery of a bird, butterfly, horse, rabbit sitting atop a stack of books,
ocean imagery and a UFO with the spotlight beneath. The silhouette of the person is not proposed but intended to convey that the mural would serve as a backdrop for a picture or a selfie.
3
Here the rendering shows that the mural will be located to be readily visible from the sidewalk and to a lesser degree, E Branch St. The proposal would also include painting the entire
wall, which is currently a pale yellow color, to match the front façade.
4
Review Process
Applications for public art are processed as Minor Use Permits
Reviewed by ARC for purposes of making a recommendation to CC
Final action made by City Council
All applications for public art are processed as Minor Use Permits. Applications are deemed complete by the Community Development Department, referred to ARC for a recommendation to
City Council.
5
Selection Criteria
Artistic Excellence
Scale, Form, Material, Content
Structural Integrity
Ease of Maintenance
Proposed method of installation
Location
Prohibits:
Copyrighted, obscene, defamatory content, signage
Relationship to area, arch & neighborhood
The Guidelines state that the “Selection Criteria” shall be the basis for all recommendations and decisions on public art applications.
The first seven criteria apply to all public art applications, and the final criterion is specific to proposals in the D-2.4 Historic Character Overlay District.
The selection criteria are intended to facilitate high quality artwork that does not pose a risk to public safety, can easily be maintained in good condition, and for proposals in the
historic character district, demonstrate a relationship to the social, cultural, and historical identity of the area; and the site's existing architectural features;
6
Imagery references business name and products sold by business
Conflict with Finding 7.e.
Findings
Staff found the proposal consistent with the selection criteria, except 7.e.
Criterion 7.e states that a mural shall not be approved if it includes content, including but not limited to, words, symbols, signs, trademarks, or references to products or services
provided on the premises. Such content meets the Arroyo Grande Municipal Code (AGMC) definition for signage, as regulated by AGMC Chapter 16.60;
The mural includes imagery of books, which are the primary product sold by this retail business, and a Monarch butterfly which references the name of the business Monarch Books. For
these reasons, staff is not able to find that the mural adheres to the selection criteria and is not recommending approval of the project.
7
1) Adopt a Resolution denying Architectural Review 25-005 for a proposed mural at 201 East Branch Street; and
2) Find that the denial of the proposed mural is not a project subject to the California Environmental Quality Act (“CEQA”) because CEQA does not apply to projects which a public agency
disapproves or rejects (Pub. Resources Code §21080(b)(5);
Recommendation
8