Danville Explores Developer Fees for Public Art, Eyes San Ramon Model

The Danville Town Council took its first serious look at creating a public art ordinance that would require developers to fund art on new construction projects, surveying how five neighboring cities handle the issue and hearing enthusiastic support from a growing local arts community. No votes were taken at the July 14 study session, but the council directed staff to return with deeper analysis and broader stakeholder outreach.

• Council weighs requiring developer fees on all new construction to fund public art, exploring models ranging from 0.33% to 1% of project costs
• Vice Mayor Storer proposes flat fee — not percentage-based — after paying $92,000 in art fees on a single San Ramon project with no accountability for where the money went
• Four local artists and advocates turn out in force, announcing the formation of the Danville Artist Network and pitching projects from heart sculptures to a Danville Bowl memorial
• Council consensus builds around an arts master plan that would identify locations for art before collecting fees, inspired by San Ramon's evolving approach

Staff presented the council with a comprehensive survey of how Walnut Creek, Dublin, San Ramon, Lafayette and Livermore each require developers to either install publicly visible art or pay fees into a municipal arts fund. The models vary widely — from Livermore's 0.33% of construction costs to Walnut Creek's 1% — but all have survived legal challenges.