CITY MULLS CREATING FUND FOR PUBLIC ART.

Byline: Teresa Jimenez Daily News Staff Writer

The vision is appealing: sculptures in business parks, decorative fountains in shopping centers and murals on otherwise nondescript buildings.

But with the concept comes a cost, and city officials are considering a program that would collect money or require art from developers.

The idea has been debated by Santa Clarita officials for years, and similar programs exist in cities all over the Los Angeles area, including Burbank, Pasadena, Culver City and West Hollywood.

But city representatives have shown hesitation at charging developers for a program that, in exchange, would add some beauty and texture to the area.

On Thursday, the Parks and Recreation Commission will receive information about program possibilities, and the City Council will consider the concept at its meeting Feb. 23.

``We haven't been given the green light by any means,'' said Lisa Hardy, assistant planner for the city. ``But we're doing the research. This is the very beginning first step.''

City staff members have presented a report on the benefits of public art, including opportunities for children and students to develop murals or play on interactive pieces.

The art could also allow the community to celebrate its historic character and cultural diversity, prevent vandalism and graffiti, and add visual uniqueness, the report states.

As part of the program, the commissioners and council members would have to decide what constitutes art, how much a developer would be required to contribute and who would have ownership and maintenance responsibilities.

The city has looked at other communities' public art programs for help.

In Culver City, for example, builders may provide art at their developments as long as the public has access to it. Or they can contribute 1 percent of the value of the project, which the city would use to commission art or host live performances. Culver City's program handbook is included in the commissioners' packets for review.

Public art could include a whole list of features: sculptures, murals, mosaics, monuments, wall hangings, photographs or engravings. The important thing is that the works be available for public viewing and satisfy city review.

``Typically, public art needs to be developed by an artist. It can be part of the architecture or freestanding,'' Hardy said. ``A mural or mosaic could certainly qualify. A fountain, as long as it has an artistic feature, could qualify.''

City officials originally considered creating a public art program in 1991, shortly after Santa Clarita had incorporated, Hardy said. But about that time, the economy had begun to slow along with development, she said.