Design Review Commission approves amendment to public‑art program to mount LED displays on raised planters

The San Gabriel Design Review Commission on April 22 approved MSP24‑002, an amendment to an earlier public‑art program for a mixed‑use project on Valley Boulevard, to relocate previously approved vertical displays onto raised planters and install curved LED screens integrated into the landscape.

Planning manager Samantha Tewasart said the original public art program approved in 2016 showed vertical 4×12 displays along an interior corridor; the applicant asked to relocate approximately four curved displays onto three‑foot planters to better integrate with store‑fronts and site landscaping. Staff described the building as roughly 85,000 square feet with 13,500 square feet of ground‑floor commercial space and about 80 residential units; the project approaches final completion.

Applicant representative Lavender (BNC) and owner Anita To said tenant storefront locations and advances in display technology motivated the change: "some of these displays are actually located on the tenants' storefront. So, it's not practical to have those," Lavender said, and Anita To said the new curved screens and custom planters "enhanced the original concept." The applicant indicated modules are IP65‑rated and replaceable.

City architect and commissioners raised several operational and durability issues: they asked about skateboard or bicycle damage, irrigation‑water intrusion through multiple conduit penetrations into planters, module replacement procedures and spare‑parts strategy. The city architect asked, "I wonder what happens when the skateboarders hit this thing?" The applicant replied the LED modules are modular and replaceable, will have spare parts stocked (about 10–15 percent extra on hand) and that drivers and power supplies will be located behind the panels and within planters. The applicant also committed to provide specifications for module size, frames and waterproofing details.

Commissioners stressed the importance of a maintenance and replacement plan; staff said maintenance obligations and code enforcement would apply if the artwork ceased to function and the project would be required to return to the commission for remedial action or a different public art solution. After discussion about protection, waterproofing, module replacement and structural/penetration details, the commission voted to approve the amended public art program. Commissioners asked staff and the applicant to provide detailed specifications and noted maintenance costs should be accounted for in operating budgets.

The approval allows installation of the curved LED panels mounted on the planters as presented, subject to the applicant supplying technical specifications and ensuring waterproofing and structural penetrations are designed to minimize water intrusion and maintenance burdens.