Art in Public Places law brings new contribution to Agoura Hills

By Stephanie Bertholdo bertholdo@theacorn.com

In compliance with the city of Agoura Hills Art in Public Places ordinance that was passed in 1989, an abstract stone sculpture has been erected at Oak Creek Apartments. The artwork is located at the new Canwood Street entrance that crosses Kanan Road.

The sculpture was created in 1998 by Beverly Pepper, an American artist living in Italy. Named "Borgia Memories," the piece is from Pepper’s "Magma" series.

Corinne Wise, an associate with Isenberg’s and Associates, Inc., an art consultant firm that worked with the city’s art commission on the project, said the sculpture was created from a 70-million-year-old pietra serena stone that was quarried in Italy.

Borgia Memories is the 11th work of art to be added to Agoura Hills, according to Agoura Hills Planning Director Mike Kamino.

The Art in Public Places ordinance requires developers to provide a piece of art if their project exceeds 30,000 square feet. The art must be worth at least 1 percent of the value of the project, Kamino said.

A developer can waive the requirement if a fee is paid. The money from "in lieu" fees can be combined to create art throughout the city, not necessarily in front of a specific project.

Scheu Development Co. of Westlake Village received recent approval to construct two office buildings near Ladyface Mountain. The developer’s art plan was opposed because it wasn’t in a highly visible location. Scheu opted to pay the "in lieu" fee.

The city’s public art committee is comprised of one planning commissioner and one council member. They meet when they need to, according to Kamino. The abstract circular design at the entrance of city hall and several other pieces that highlight office buildings on or near the freeway corridor are here because of the Art in Public Places law. A soaring eagle bronze welcomes guests to Hampton Inn and an Indian maiden design is found near the Gateway project by Yamato’s restaurant on the south side of the 101 Freeway.

Many of the designs, including the new sculpture at the Oak Creek Apartments, are abstract.

The $80 million Oak Creek development is part of a mixed-use project on the 40-acre site that’s being built by J.H. Snyder Company of Los Angeles. In addition to the 24, 14-unit Craftsman-styled apartment buildings, the development will eventually include a nine-acre commercial site with an extended-stay hotel.