To: Mark Hafner, City Manager
From: Julie Smith, Community Development Department
Subject:
Title
Consider a resolution approving a Site Plan Amendment for the Playful Puppy Sculpture Plaza, located on the north side of Rufe Snow Drive at 330 Rufe Snow Drive, being Lot 1R, Block 1 of the Public Safety Addition, and zoned Town Center (TC). City of Keller, owner/applicant. (SP-20-0036)
Background:
The Keller Public Arts Board began pursuing an animal-themed sculpture for the Keller Police/Jail/Regional Animal Services facility shortly after the building was constructed in 2012, but until the implementation of the Public Arts Development Fee in 2015, a there was no funding source for the project.
The Keller Public Arts Master Plan lists the installation of an animal-themed sculpture for the Police/Jail/Regional Animal services facility as one of the Public Arts Program’s project goals. In 2018, the Board directed staff to coordinate a limited competition for the selection of the artist for the project. City Council approved an agreement with artist Brad Oldham in 2019 for the creation of a dog sculpture (the “Playful Puppy”).
Part of the Board’s vision for the project was a plaza or viewing area to include lighting, landscaping and a raised platform for the sculpture. A Request for Proposals was advertised in accordance with State Law for the construction of the “Playful Puppy” Sculpture Plaza in November 2019, and five proposals were received. The lowest bid was more than double the project architect’s estimate. At staff’s recommendation, City Council rejected all of the bids in March 2020. Staff worked with the architect to reduce the scope and set a more realistic estimate for the total project. A second Request for Proposals for the plaza was advertised in accordance with State Law and three proposals were read aloud on July 21, 2020. C Green Scaping submitted the lowest bid, and after reviewing their qualifications and references, the project architect and city staff recommend moving forward with C Green Scaping for the sculpture plaza. City Council awarded the bid to C Green Scaping on September 1, 2020.
The sculpture plaza, like the sculpture itself, will be funded out of the Public Arts Development Fee Fund. (The Public Arts Fee was adopted by City Council as part of the FY 2015-16 budget process and applies a .25% fee to the construction value of applicable projects for the purpose of purchase and administration of public artwork.)
Summary:
Because the project is located in the Town Center Zoning District, approval of the site plan by the Planning and Zoning Commission and City Council is required.
Citizen Input:
A Site Plan application does not require a public hearing, so no public hearing notifications were sent out to the surrounding property owners for this request. The public will have an opportunity to speak on this agenda item during the “Persons To Be Heard.”
Planning and Zoning Commission Recommendation:
On December 8, 2020, the Planning and Zoning Commission unanimously recommended approval of the item and the Commission stated they would love to see more projects like this.
Alternatives:
The City Council has the following option when considering a Site Plan with no variances:
§ Approve as submitted.