Public hearing on expanding public art funding in Manhattan Beach.

NOTICE OF PUBLIC HEARINGMARCH 17, 2026 AT 6:00 P.M.THE MANHATTAN BEACH CITY COUNCIL WILL CONDUCT A PUBLIC HEARING TO CONSIDER A ZONE TEXT AMENDMENT TO EXPAND THE TYPES OF PUBLIC ART THAT MAY BE FUNDED BY THE CITY’S ART IN PUBLIC PLACES PROGRAMApplicant: City of Manhattan Beach
Project Location: Citywide
Project Description: The City Council will consider amending Manhattan Beach Municipal Code Section 10.90.060 regarding the use of public art funds to specify that such funds may be spent on the costs associated with a wide range of public art, visual arts and performing arts, including but not limited to paintings, murals, sculpture, literature, architecture, theater, film, music, and emerging art forms.
Environmental Determination: The City has reviewed the proposed project for compliance with the California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA) and has determined that the municipal code amendment is not a project for purposes of CEQA because it is a government funding mechanism or other governmental fiscal activity that does not involve any commitment to any specific project which may result in a potentially significant physical impact on the environment. (See CEQA Guidelines Section 15378(b)(4).) Further, as a separate and independent basis, the amendment is exempt from CEQA pursuant to Section 15061(b)(3) of the State CEQA Guidelines, as it can be said with certainty that there is no possibility that the activity of using public art funds for various art projects and performances may have a significant effect on the environment.
Planning Commission Recommendation: On February 25, 2026, the Planning Commission recommended adoption of the proposed amendment by a 3–0 vote, with one commissioner not in attendance.
Project Planner: Ted Faturos, Planning Commission, (310) 802-5512, tfaturos@manhattanbeach.gov
Meeting Date & Time:Tuesday, March 17, 2026. Meeting Begins at 6:00 P.M. (Item discussion time is dependent on location on the agenda.)
The City Council meeting will be conducted in-person at City Council Chambers (1400 Highland Avenue) and via Zoom; instructions on registering for public participation will be included under the ‘Public Comments’ section of the City Council meeting agenda that will be posted on the City’s website (https://www.manhattanbeach.gov) on or before Wednesday, March 11, 2026. If you wish to have written materials included in the agenda, please submit such material prior to Tuesday, March 10, 2026.
Public Comments: The City Council encourages the public to participate by submitting comments in advance of the meeting. All comments provided by the deadlines above will be available to the City Council and the public prior to the meeting. Comments received following posting of the Staff Report will be forwarded to the City Council at, or prior to, the meeting. In addition, you may participate by attending the meeting in-person or joining Zoom during the meeting, instructions for which will be included on the Agenda.
For information, contact the Project Planner. A staff report will be on the City Website (www.manhattanbeach.gov) on or before Wednesday, March 11, 2026.
Masa Alkire, AICPCommunity Development DirectorThe Beach ReporterPublished: 3/5/26