STAFF REPORT
Meeting Date:
February 10, 2026
CONSENT
5 SUBJECT: PUBLIC ART INSTALLATIONS AT GLENNEYRE PARKING STRUCTURE AND
ANITA STREET BEACH ACCESS
RECOMMENDATION: It is recommended that the City Council:
1. Approve the installation of the sculpture titled, “A Breeze, Floating Bloom” by Arne Quinze to satisfy the Art in Public Places requirement in Chapter 1.09 of the Laguna Beach Municipal Code for 501 Glenneyre Street (Parking Lot 6);
2. Approve the expenditure of $130,000 and appropriation of $21,605 from the Art in Lieu Fund for the installation of the sculpture titled, “A Breeze, Floating Bloom” by Arne Quinze;
3. Approve the installation of the untitled tile mural by Kevin A. Myers at the Anita Street Beach Access Renovation Project;
4. Approve the expenditure of $30,000 installation of an untitled tile mural by artist Kevin A. Myers; and
5. Find that these actions are exempt under California Environmental Quality Act pursuant to State CEQA Guidelines Section 15303.
SUMMARY OF THE MATTER
The parking structure located at 501 Glenneyre (Parking Lot 6) is a City-owned property and is a two-level facility with 208 regular parking spaces and seven handicap spaces. The structure is undergoing a rehabilitation project which includes waterproofing of the planters on the top floor, structural strengthening of beams and stairwells, and brick repairs. The architecture of brick and concrete spans approximately 120 feet with seven recessed arches. As part of rehabilitation project, the Property is required to satisfy the Art in Public Places requirement of Chapter 1.09 of the Laguna Beach Municipal Code. The proposed installation of the sculpture titled, “A Breeze, Floating Bloom,” will be located on the exterior wall towards the south entrance to the structure, in an opening between existing eucalyptus trees. As part of rehabilitation project, the Property is required to satisfy the Art in Public Places requirement of Chapter 1.09 of the Laguna Beach Municipal Code.
Anita Street Beach Access Renovation Project consists of the construction of the sewer lift station and beach access stairs and included a location for a mural installation as part of the design even though the project does not require installation of Art in Public Places requirement of Chapter 1.09 of LBMC. The proposed untitled mural by Kevin A. Myers is proposed to replace the work of artist Francesca Zobek, which was deaccessed and removed to accommodate the improvements at the site. The ceramic tile mural installation is proposed to be funded by savings in the Arts Commission Special Programs Budget.
PUBLIC ART INSTALLATIONS AT GLENNEYRE PARKING STRUCTURE AND ANITA
STREET BEACH ACCESS
February 10, 2026
DISCUSSION
Glenneyre Parking Structure: “A Breeze, Floating Bloom” by artist Arne Quinze Laguna Beach has a long-established reputation as an arts-centered community and destination for artists, residents, and visitors. To support and preserve this cultural identity, the Laguna Beach Municipal Code requires the installation of public art as part of certain development projects. This includes remodels or reconstruction of existing commercial or industrial properties with expenditures exceeding $225,000; residential subdivisions of more than four units; and public parks or infrastructure projects, subject to specified exceptions. (LBMC Section 1.09.040.)
Upon submission of an art in public places application form, the applicant makes a presentation to the Arts Commission to introduce the development project and to propose concepts and plans for a public art project. (LBMC Section 1.09.050(d).) Once the applicant receives conceptual approval from the Arts Commission, the applicant submits a final application form, including specific plans for the public art project, for review and decision by the Arts Commission. (LBMC Section 1.09.050.) The final art in public places application must then be submitted to the City Council for action. (LBMC Section 1.09.050(g).) The City Council approves, conditionally approves, or denies the application based on the following guidelines:
1. The art works shall be clearly visible and easily accessible to the public.
2. The art in public places application shall include a site plan showing the location of the art work, complete with landscaping, lighting and other appropriate accessories to complement and protect the art work.
3. The composition of the art work shall be of permanent-type of materials in order to be durable against vandalism, theft and weather, and in order to require a low level of maintenance.
4. The art work shall be related in terms of scale, material, form and content to immediate and adjacent buildings and landscaping so that it complements the site and surrounding environment.
5. The art work shall be designed and constructed by persons experienced in the production of such art work and recognized by critics and by his or her peers as one who produces works of art.
6. The art work shall be a permanent, fixed asset to the property.
7. The art work shall be maintained by the property owner in a neat and orderly manner acceptable to the city.
To satisfy the Art in Public Places requirement required for reconstruction work at the City-owned facility of the Glenneyre Parking structure, the Arts Commission is recommending an installation by Belgium artist Arne Quinze. The wall-mounted sculptural work will be created of powder coated aluminum and measure 138 inches in height by 222 inches in length and 12 inches in depth away from the wall. The artist will be selecting a color palette for the work which reflects the native coastal plantings in Laguna Beach. The installation is located between existing eucalyptus trees, not interfering with their trunks, branches, or roots.
PUBLIC ART INSTALLATIONS AT GLENNEYRE PARKING STRUCTURE AND ANITA
STREET BEACH ACCESS
February 10, 2026
The aluminum sculpture is light weight and will be affixed to the wall with anchors. Artist renderings are included as Attachment 2.
Quinze is an internationally recognized artist with installations around the globe. With a career spanning thirty years, this will be his first public art installation in California. The work is inspired by nature, as described by the artist: “Inspired by coastal flora, the sculptures float gracefully across the structure, echoing the sway of flowers in a gentle breeze. Each piece is individually sculpted from aluminum, introduces light, shadow and motion into the urban fabric…a dialogue between nature and architecture. Downtown Laguna Beach has an opportunity to reimagine a familiar structure, not just as concrete and brick, but as a stage for pause, reflection and reconnection.”
At its meetings on November 24, 2025 and January 12, 2026, the Arts Commission received a presentation by the artist and, on January 12, 2026, unanimously approved the installation “A Breeze, Floating Bloom” to satisfy the Art in Public Places requirement at the property. The Arts Commission minutes are included as Attachment 1.
DISCUSSION: Anita Street: “Untitled” by artist Kevin Myers The sewer lift station and beach access stairs at Anita Street have been replaced with a cohesive design to replace aging infrastructure and minimize the impacts of the newly built sewer lift station at the public stairway. On June 27, 2022, the Arts Commission recommended deaccession of the existing mural “Water Wall” by Francesca Zobek and a new mural installation as part of the new project. The mural was deaccessed in accordance with guidelines of Resolution 04.038 of the policies for acquisition and deaccession of works of art. There is no requirement for Art in Public Places for the project.
As part of the renovation project the project included a location for a mural on an exterior retaining wall.
Artist Kevin Myers is proposing an abstract tile mural to be installed within the eight feet in height by eight feet in width and one inch in depth recessed alcove constructed within a retaining wall at the site. The handmade tile mural will be affixed to the constructed concrete wall and finished with grouting and antigraffiti coating. Steps were taken during construction to include a water barrier to ensure the longevity of the mural.
Myers is a local artist with extensive experience in his art form and has been an educator and held the position of head of ceramics at Orange Coast College.
At its meeting on November 24, 2025, the Arts Commission received a presentation by the artist and unanimously approved the installation. The Arts Commission minutes are included as Attachment 2.
FINANCIAL ANALYSIS
Glenneyre Parking Structure: The Art in Public Places requirement for the restoration project is $14,000.
The remaining balance of $116,000 will be allocated from savings in the Art in Lieu Fund which has funding available of $94,395 in account 1231275-72106, Public Art Projects. An appropriation of $21,605 from the Art in Lieu Fund’s available fund balance of $385,810 is requested.
PUBLIC ART INSTALLATIONS AT GLENNEYRE PARKING STRUCTURE AND ANITA
STREET BEACH ACCESS
February 10, 2026
Anita Street Beach Access: The installation cost of $30,000 will be funded through savings in the Arts Commission Special Programs budget in a carryover with an available fund balance of $33,000.
ENVIRONMENTAL ANALYSIS
The recommended actions are exempt under the California Environmental Quality Act under CEQA Guidelines Section 15303 because it consists of construction and location of limited numbers of new, small facilities or structures, installation of small new equipment and facilities in small structures, and/or the conversion of existing small structures from one use to another where only minor modifications are made in the exterior of the structure. Here, the recommended action meets the exemption because it involves installation of a small art structure on the wall of a parking garage and the installation of a small tile mural on a retaining wall and funding for such installations.
ATTACHMENTS
1. Arts Commission minutes 11/24/25 and 1/12/25 (Pgs. 5-6)
2. Artist Rendering (Pgs. 7-8)
Submitted By: Sian Poeschl Approved: .David A Kiff
Sian Poeschl, Cultural Arts
Manager
Dave Kiff, City Manager
Report Prepared By: Coordinated With:
Sian Poeschl, Cultural Arts Manager Jane Abzug, Assistant City Attorney