On January 10, 2022, the Planning Commission approved a 117 multi-unit residential project (“Vista Walk”) at 251-351 West Imperial Highway by the Olson Company, which is required to include a public art piece for the benefit of the community.  At the public hearing, the applicant presented the Planning Commission with a conceptual design of three metal panel murals depicting the Coyote Creek hills along with celestial backdrops of the moon, stars and rising sun. However, as a condition of approval, the final details of the proposed public art are subject to review and approval of the Community Services Commission prior to the installation of the artwork and issuance of any Certificate of Occupancy.

The proposed artwork is designed by Daniela Mocan Vanderpoort, an award-winning artist that has provided artwork for approximately 150 residential developments in several other cities, as noted in her professional portfolio included as Attachment No. 1.  The proposed metal murals convey the type of tranquility that one might expect if they are strolling along a “vista walk”, in keeping with the residential community’s name. The murals will consist of brown-colored metal panels to complement the Spanish architecture of the development, which have been layered to give the appearance of hills at a distance. The panels and the design elements (i.e. the moon, stars, and sun) will include back-lite lighting to highlight the outlines during the evening hours as shown in Exhibit 1 below and in Attachment No. 2.  The metal murals will be placed along sections of the perimeter masonry wall of the project facing Imperial Highway.

As depicted in Exhibit 1 above, the heights of the murals decrease from approximately 9 feet to 7 feet from the moon mural to the sunrise mural, but all murals will have a width of 12 feet and will project about seven inches from the face of the masonry wall. The murals will be completely contained within the project site and will also be enhanced by landscaping. The proposed metal murals intend to beautify the development for residents of the development and pedestrians traveling along Imperial Highway.  Since the murals are placed so far from each other and given the illumination consists of a softglow, the proposed artwork is not expected to create a visual distraction for drivers on Imperial Highway. The Homeowner’s Association of the Vista Walk development will be responsible for the ongoing maintenance and upkeep of the murals, thereby ensuring the artwork will continue to be enjoyed by the public and residents of the development for years to come. 

o Objective S: Create a Public Art Program requirement/in lieu fee for large development projects.