The arts are about to take center stage in Fairfax County. The Board of Supervisors has added a sweeping new set of arts-centric policies to the county’s building guidelines. The policies encourage the inclusion — or at least the consideration — of arts spaces or elements in new private and public developments. A parade of local arts advocates appeared before the supervisors to support the new policies. But some local officials say the guidelines could be a burden to both developers and county staff. “It’s just another step in the process of land owners and homeowners getting projects approved,” said Republican Pat Herrity, who alone voted against the new policies. “It’s more staff work, and it’s more work for people seeking approval.” Herrity argued that similar county policies, though written as “encouragements,” often become tacit requirements that force developers and builders to adhere to an expanding list of building restrictions. He and other supervisors discussed the county’s policy of encouraging energy-efficient building certifications as one example of a suggestion that had, in practice, become more like an obligation Herrity said he supports public art and arts programs, but he questions whether the county should have the authority to pass judgment on new arts initiatives. “Should the government be involved in approving what’s art? I don’t know if that’s our place,” Herrity said. Board Chairwoman Sharon Bulova said the new policies are meant only to encourage the inclusion of arts elements in new developments and to underscore the county’s support of the performing and visual arts. “This is just guidance,” Bulova said. “It does not mandate that anything is required.” Supervisor John Cook, R-Braddock, voted in favor of the new policies, but said he would be watching closely to ensure the county’s encouragement does not become a prerequisite for new developments. “I support the idea of encouraging arts, but I hope staff and individual supervisors are not going to use it as a club to extract economic concessions for the arts,” Cook said. “If it becomes a de facto requirement, I’ll have a problem with that,” he said.
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