Placement: New Business
Action Requested: Motion / Vote
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Public Art Application: Ladybug Hideaway Alternative Equivalent Proposal Request for Wylder.
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Submitted By: Bethany Grubbs, AICP, Senior Planner/Public Art Program
Strategic Plan Link: The City's Goal to enjoy culture, nature and fun activities.
Executive Summary (General Business): Four Seasons at Wylder Neighborhood Association, Inc. is requesting approval to relocate the previously approved artwork Ladybug Hideaway by Mark Fuller. The proposal would move the installation from the commercial plazas on the north side of the development to a nature path located inside of an open space tract, along an arterial roadway within a residential area to the south.
Presentation Information: The applicant will provide a presentation.
Staff Recommendation: The Planning and Zoning Department recommends that the Board review and discuss the application and provide a formal recommendation to City Council regarding the proposed artwork relocation.
Alternate Recommendations:
1. If the Board finds that sufficient information has been provided, the Board may recommend approval of the proposal with comments. Any comments must be addressed prior to scheduling the item for City Council consideration.
2. The Board may choose not to recommend approval of the proposal and may provide direction to staff on any revisions or additional information needed.
Background: The artwork was approved by Council on May 13, 2024, through Resolution 24-R34 an Alternative Equivalent Proposal under Section 162.08. The original concept consists of twelve sculptural blades incorporating nineteen species of ladybugs, placed within two 5,100-square-foot plazas on the commercial tracts at the intersection of Midway Road and Wylder Parkway. The approved location was intended to provide an opportunity for the public to walk up to and through the art piece while exploring the various ladybugs for educational purposes. The location within a future commercial development was intended to provide parking and safe public access to the art work.
The developer reports that updated commercial access planning shifted vehicular movements and introduced increased traffic conflicts for pedestrians approaching or leaving the artwork. The applicant also notes that commercial out-parcels cannot be relied upon to activate or visually engage the originally approved art plazas. The developer proposes to consolidate the two plazas into a single installation within the residential area, adjacent to a nature path and preserve.
In March 2026, the developer notified staff of their intent to relocate the artwork on a public right-of-way along a nature path with no parking. Any change in location requires returning to the PAAB and City Council for approval.
Issues/Analysis: This request is submitted as an Alternative Equivalent Proposal (Option 4) under the Public Art Ordinance for the Wylder sculptures known as Ladybug Hideaway. The proposal includes twelve monumental public art pieces by Artist Mark Fuller, consisting of clusters of 8-, 10-, and 12-foot sculptural blades resembling silver and green grasses, featuring nineteen ladybug species.
The alternate equivalent proposal satisfies the public art requirements for POD 1, POD 2, POD 4, POD 5, POD 6A, POD 6B, POD 7, POD 8A, POD 8B, POD 8C, POD 9, Tract A, Tract B, Tract C, Founders Crossing East, and Founders Crossing West.
Per Section 162.08(d), the submittal must contain all information and meet all criteria outlined in Section 162.09 for including public art on private development. Required elements include:
The artwork must be located in an exterior place and the application must include:
1. Artist's qualifications, including resume and portfolio establishing the artist's credentials.
2. Detailed description and depiction of the work of art and its location on the site.
3. Drawings and renderings of the proposed work of art, in terms of size, scale, color, shape, and materials in sufficient detail to provide a clear understanding of the art.
4. Maintenance program required for the artwork.
5. Compliance with public accessibility (ADA) requirements.
The City may approve the alternative equivalent proposal if it finds that:
1. The alternative equivalent proposal will further the purposes of the City’s Public Art Ordinance.
2. The proposed location of the alternative equivalent proposal is in reasonable proximity to the location of the site(s) generating the work of art requirement, in order to avoid clustering of all public art in one location.
3. The cost of the proposal will be equal to or greater than the cost of the public art assessment that would otherwise be required for each individual project.
4. The developer has established to the satisfaction of the City that the alternative equivalent proposal will create freely accessible public art in the City to an equal or greater extent than installation of public art on the individual project site or contribution to the Public Art Fund.
In approving a proposal, the City may impose reasonable conditions of approval requiring the developer to enter into agreements with the City or other public agencies or private parties to memorialize the legal obligations of all parties involved with the alternative equivalent proposal.
Financial Information: “Total construction costs” refers to the full cost of the approved improvements for a development project, excluding land value, as documented in the construction contract(s). With a projected construction cost of $1,600,000.00, the project is close to meeting the minimum public art assessment threshold required under Section 162.08(20)(a)-(c) of the City Code. Based on an artwork appraisal of $1,530,850.78, any remaining difference will be paid as a monetary contribution to the Public Art Fund.
Upon completion of construction, Four Seasons at Wylder Neighborhood Association, Inc. intends to convey the land and responsibility for maintenance and operations to a Community Development District. The City Attorney’s Office will need to review and approve any proposed agreements, deeds, etc.
Special Consideration: The proposed relocation would change how people can interact with the artwork. The original commercial location was meant to be a dedicated public space where anyone could walk up to the sculptures, look for the ladybugs, and enjoy the interactive elements. The new location is located on a path along Wylder Parkway, which is identified as an arterial roadway, that runs from Glades Cut Off Road and Midway Road. There is no parking associated with the artwork plaza; therefore, only pedestrians, primarily being the residents of the adjacent communities, will be able to access and engage with the site. The ordinance states that artwork must be “freely accessible”. As a result, far fewer members of the general public are likely to see or interact with the artwork, and it shifts from a public-facing experience to a semi-public neighborhood feature.
Location of Project: The proposed location is south of the intersection of Midway Road and Wylder Parkway, along the west side of Wylder Parkway.
Attachments:
1. Project Narrative
2. Ladybug Hideaway Proposal
3. Artist's Resume
4. Site Plan
5. Hardscape Plan
6. Landscape Plan
7. Artwork Appraisal
8. Proposed Work Schedule
9. Sculpture Maintenance Plan
10. ADA Compliance Plan
11. Creditable Project List
12. Agent Authorization Form
13. Warranty Deed
14. Property Card
NOTE: All of the listed items in the “Attachment” section above are in the custody of the City Clerk. Any item(s) not provided in packets are available upon request from the City Clerk.
Internal Reference Number: N/A