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A. Purpose

The purpose of the artwork requirements is to implement the General Plan Arts and Culture Element and support the cultural and educational enrichment of the citizens and visitors to Oro Valley through the creation of artwork that is accessible to all members of the community.

((O)22-09, 10/05/22; (O)14-02, 01/15/14; (O)11-15, 05/18/11)

B. Applicability

1. Artwork is a required element of new private and public construction projects in Oro Valley as specified in this section.

2. Artwork projects created for private development as a result of the requirements of this section shall be privately owned and included in all nonresidential development projects, including religious institutions and nonprofit organizations, with the exception of communication facilities, utility installations and similar projects as determined by the Planning and Zoning Administrator.

3. All projects where artwork has not been provided in accordance with Town Council requirements and legal nonconforming uses that propose twenty-five percent (25%) or more cumulative addition or structural modifications, such as changes in square footage, gross floor area, and building facade, shall meet the requirements of this section.

4. Artwork is required for all new public construction projects involving construction costs over fifty thousand dollars ($50,000), with the following exceptions:

a. Public art expenditure is not legally permissible due to the constraints imposed by the funding mechanism;

b. Maintenance projects such as surface treatments;

c. Safety improvements such as sidewalks and overlays with shouldering for bike lanes;

d. Significant budgetary constraints necessitate cost reduction, subject to Town Council approval.

((O)22-09, 10/05/22; (O)14-02, 01/15/14; (O)11-15, 05/18/11)

C. Artwork Budget

1. A budget for artwork shall be established based on one percent (1%) of the building permit valuation for the project, including all phases of a multi-phase project. The building permit valuation shall be confirmed by the Building Official. The itemized budget and a copy of the contract or agreement with the artist shall be submitted for Town review. The budget shall be spent on the design, fabrication, installation, and the Town review process of artwork for the project.

2. For applicable public construction projects, one percent (1%) of the project construction cost shall be used for artwork.

3. Artwork budgets may be used to construct on-site performing art facilities used for and by the public for the promotion and production of the arts.

4. If specifically approved by the Planning and Zoning Administrator, artwork budgets may include integrated pedestals, bases, walls, utility extensions and architect’s fees exclusively required for the artwork.

5. Artwork budgets shall not be used for normally required improvements and development costs, including but not limited to land acquisition, grading, paving, sidewalks and landscaping.

6. For multi-phase projects or where building permit valuation has changed, an updated artwork budget, based on the most current building valuation tables, will be submitted for each phase at the time of application for artwork approval.

((O)22-09, 10/05/22; (O)14-02, 01/15/14; (O)11-15, 05/18/11)

D. Fee in Lieu of Art

1. If the building permit valuation is less than two million dollars ($2,000,000.00), the owner/developer may elect to contribute the one percent (1%) to the Town of Oro Valley as an in-lieu fee. It shall be earmarked specifically for artwork projects.

2. If the building permit valuation is ten million dollars ($10,000,000.00) or more, the owner may elect to contribute that portion of the one percent (1%) over one hundred thousand dollars ($100,000.00) to the Town of Oro Valley earmarked specifically for art projects.

3. Repealed by Ord. (O)22-09.

4. The Planning and Zoning Commission may determine that, due to remoteness of location, limited access, or any other cause that may prevent the required artwork from fulfilling the intent of these provisions, the one percent (1%) monies be made as an in-lieu fee.

5. The in-lieu fees paid to the art fund may be used for the maintenance of publicly owned artwork.

((O)22-09, 10/05/22; (O)17-05, 06/07/17; (O)14-02, 01/15/14; (O)11-15, 05/18/11)

E. Call for Artists

The art review process may be modified as provided in subsection F of this section, if a call for artists is used in accordance with the following:

1. A “qualified agent” shall be used to perform a call for artists process in accordance with the Art Guidelines, prior to submitting a conceptual design proposal to the Town.

2. If the building permit valuation is less than four million dollars ($4,000,000.00), a call for artists process must be at least regionally advertised in accordance with the Art Guidelines.

3. If the building permit valuation is of four million dollars ($4,000,000.00) or more, a call for artists process shall be advertised nationally in accordance with the Art Guidelines.

4. The Planning and Zoning Administrator shall adopt guidelines to be known as the “Art Guidelines,” amended from time to time, to specify the call for artists process.

((O)22-09, 10/05/22; (O)17-05, 06/07/17; (O)14-02, 01/15/14)

F. Review Process

1. Artwork applications may be approved in accordance with one (1) of the following processes:

a. Artwork applications which have used a qualified agent to perform a call for artists process in accordance with subsection E of this section may be administratively approved by the Planning and Zoning Administrator.

b. Artwork applications which have not used a call for artists process may be approved by Town Council, following recommendation from the Planning and Zoning Commission.

2. Repealed by Ord. (O)22-09.

3. Timing for public construction projectsartwork review by the Planning and Zoning Commission shall be determined by the Town Engineer and the Planning and Zoning Administrator.

4. The design review of artwork shall assess artist qualifications, artwork design and artwork location(s) as provided in subsection G of this section.

5. Subsequent to approval, the Planning and Zoning Administrator (PZA) shall complete a final review. The applicant shall provide information on the artwork’s final design and a maintenance plan per subsection I.8 of this section. Changes to the approved artwork design or the approved maintenance plan shall require approval of the PZA.

6. Project completion shall be certified by the acceptable installation of the approved artwork and submittal by the property owner of a certification package including the following: a statement that the artwork, artist and site meet the criteria established by this section, the date on which the installation was completed, and an itemized account of the expenses incurred in fulfilling the requirements of this section.

7. For existing developments, previously approved projects, subsequent phases of phased projects, or projects that do not require a landscape plan, final review of artwork shall be approved prior to the issuance of the building permit.

8. Planning and Zoning Administrator decisions specified in this section shall be appealable within twenty (20) days to Town Council. Town Council decisions on appeals pursuant to this section shall be final.

((O)22-09, 10/05/22; (O)17-05, 06/07/17; (O)14-02, 01/15/14; (O)11-15, 05/18/11)

G. Design and Location Requirements

1. Artwork shall be designed by an artist, as defined in Chapter 31. If a design team is employed to create the artwork, at least one (1) team member shall be an artist as defined in Chapter 31.

2. Artwork shall not include any of the following unless specifically allowed by the authorized approval body and the item is designed by an artist: architectural elements or structural parts of a building or other structure; fixtures or features such as grates, shade screens, streetlights, benches, signs, and bike racks. Designs of such items shall clearly result in artistic expression beyond the normally anticipated functional appearance.

3. Artwork shall be in an area easily accessible and clearly visible to the general public. The location shall allow for unrestricted viewing from a variety of vantage points.

4. Artwork may be located on a publicly viewable building facade, provided such location improves overall public accessibility to the artwork.

5. Artwork may be located within a building subject to approval by the authorized approval body. The applicant shall demonstrate that the interior location for the artwork provides equal or superior public access relative to outdoor locations. Indoor locations shall be readily accessible to the public such as lobbies and entryways and shall be accessible to the public for a minimum of forty (40) hours each week.

6. The location of artwork shall be indicated on the landscape plan, development plan, plat or other appropriate document as determined by the Planning and Zoning Administrator.

7. Artwork shall be permanent, and may be integrated with the work of other design professionals.

8. Artwork shall not be located in sight visibility triangles.

9. Location of art in a proposed or existing Town right-of-way shall be approved by the Town Engineer.

10. Off-site locations for artwork may be approved by the Town Council, upon review and recommendation by the Planning and Zoning Commission.

((O)22-09, 10/05/22; (O)17-05, 06/07/17; (O)14-02, 01/15/14; (O)11-15, 05/18/11)

H. Art Design Principles

Assessment of art applications shall be based on conformance with the adopted design standards – Addendum A of the Zoning Code – and fulfillment of the following principles:

1. Quality

Artwork demonstrates originality, artistic quality, and excellence in design and craftsmanship; to be demonstrated through renderings, explanation of construction, materials, and artist resume.

2. Response to Context

Artwork should be appropriate in scale, material, form and content for the immediate and general social and physical environments with which they are to relate.

3. Durability

Consideration should be given to structural and surface integrity, permanence, and protection against theft, vandalism, weathering, and excessive maintenance and repair costs.

4. Integration

Where possible, in addition to meeting aesthetic requirements, artwork should also serve to establish focal points, modify, enhance or define specific spaces or establish identity.

5. Safety

Artwork should not present a hazard or create unsafe conditions.

6. Diversity

Artwork should contribute to a diversity of style, scale, media, artists, community values and forms of expression within the Town.

7. Visibility

Artwork should be visible and accessible for the purposes of public enjoyment and security, considering pedestrian and vehicular traffic, lighting, active hours on site and future development and vegetation growth.

8. Feasibility

Consideration should be given to the likelihood of successful completion of the artwork. Factors to be considered include but are not limited to: project budget, timeline, artist’s experience and soundness of materials.

9. Advertising Elements

Art shall not reflect or include advertising elements of a business or corporation including colors, graphics, logos or other representations of corporate identity.

((O)22-09, 10/05/22; (O)17-05, 06/07/17; (O)14-02, 01/15/14)

I. Installation and Maintenance

1. Artwork shall be installed, inspected and certified complete prior to the issuance of a final certificate of occupancy. The Town may withhold the final certificate of occupancy until public artwork installation is complete.

2. An artwork installation schedule, addressing timing, budget allocation, artwork location(s), and specific details for each phase of a phased development project, shall be submitted for review by the Planning and Zoning Administrator. Each development phase shall include public artwork allocated proportionally to building valuation as determined by the Planning and Zoning Administrator.

3. Art must remain on public display and shall be maintained in the condition in which they were originally installed.

4. The installation of the artwork will be done in a manner that will protect the artwork and the public. The general safety and permanence of artwork installation shall be inspected as determined by the Town Building Official, Town Engineer and the Planning and Zoning Administrator. Incomplete or unsafe installations shall not be approved.

5. Artwork projects shall have a small plaque not to exceed eighty (80) square inches in size identifying the title, date and artist. The plaque shall contain the words “Oro Valley 1% for Art Program.”

6. Continued maintenance of the artwork shall be the responsibility of the property owner. The artwork shall be maintained to preserve its intended appearance as specified in the approved application. Faded paint, missing or damaged parts, or deteriorated finishes represent unacceptable maintenance conditions.

7. The original artist shall be offered the opportunity to provide maintenance and repair services for the artwork they create. If the original artist will not be maintaining the artwork, documentation of the property owner’s request to the artist for maintenance and repair services shall be submitted with the maintenance plan required in subsection I.8 of this section.

8. A maintenance plan specifying the party(ies) intended to complete repairs, required maintenance steps, and frequency of maintenance shall be submitted with the application for artwork approval. If the party identified to perform maintenance and repairs is not the original artist, a statement of the individual’s qualifications to repair and maintain the artwork shall be submitted with the maintenance plan. Qualified individuals shall have experience working with the media and materials used in the artwork.

9. Art responsibilities shall transfer from property owner to property owner.

10. The property owner shall be responsible for the services and utilities necessary to operate and/or maintain the artwork over time.

11. The property owner shall provide evidence of insurance in a minimum amount equal to the purchase and installation costs of the artwork.

12. Replacement of missing or damaged art is required, unless the property owner provides documentation that shows that the artwork was properly maintained in accordance with the approved maintenance plan. Property owners are required to respond to inquiries from the Town regarding damaged or missing art within fifteen (15) days of written notice.

13. Failure to maintain the artwork, as determined by the Planning and Zoning Administrator, shall constitute a violation of this Code, and/or cause liens against the real property.

14. Artwork cannot be permanently removed, relocated or altered in any way without the review and approval of the Planning and Zoning Commission.

15. In the event artwork must be temporarily moved or altered due to construction or other activity, the property owner shall submit in writing a request to the Planning and Zoning Administrator detailing the purpose, time frame, and intended temporary location for the artwork. The request must be approved by the Planning and Zoning Administrator, with reference to the maintenance plan, prior to movement or alteration of the artwork. The artwork shall be returned to its original location.