Planning commission urges council to preserve in‑lieu fee premium, create dedicated art fund

The Cupertino Planning Commission recommended on Sept. 23 that the City Council retain the existing premium on art in‑lieu payments, create a separate city art fund for any in‑lieu payments, and remain the final decision maker on allocations.

The recommendation arrived after a staff presentation reviewing an Arts and Culture Commission proposal to amend Chapter 19 of the municipal code and adopt an art‑in‑lieu fee policy. John Martier, senior planner with Cupertino’s Community Development Department and liaison to the Arts and Culture Commission, told commissioners the item was before planning because it includes changes to the zoning code. "The purpose was because it involves changes to chapter 19, which is the zoning ordinance," Martier said during the meeting.

The Arts and Culture Commission recommended a single 1% valuation for either providing on‑site public art or making an in‑lieu payment, and proposed creating and maintaining a separate art fund to collect any in‑lieu payments. Commissioners and…