Hi Neighbors,
Please read the notes from our meeting with the City of Pasadena regarding the North Lake Specific Plan. Your thoughts and comments are needed. Please pass this around to others I may have missed.
Best,
Cybele
Cybele Garcia Kohel
Vice President & Los Robles Representative
Vice President & Los Robles Representative
Craftsman Heights Neighborhood Association
NW Neighborhood Advocacy Commission
cybelegarcia@me.com
cybelegarcia@me.com
3/11/13 Planning & Community Development Discussion: Focus on North Lake Plan
City Representatives Present:
Vicrim Chima, Assistant Planner, Design & HIstoric Preservation Community Planning
Scott Reimers, Planner
NW Neighborhood Advocacy Group members present:
Cindy Clark-Schnuelle, Orange Heights
Bob Kneisel, Bungalow Haven & Pasadena Neighborhood Coalition
Cybele Garcia Kohel, Craftsman Heights
Members of NAG met with representatives of the City of Pasadena's Planning Department for the purpose of getting a better understanding of the changes proposed to the General Plan update as it relates to North Lake and how that may impact surrounding neighborhoods.
The following documents are helpful in understanding this discussion:
1. Planning & Community Development Department Staff report to the City Council of October 10, 2012 (summary of the proposed changes)
http://www.cityofpasadena.net/
2. The Map of the proposed changes
http://www.cityofpasadena.net/
3. Pasadena General Plan Update Land Use & Mobility Elements- Community Workshop 3/10/12
http://www.cityofpasadena.net/
As you will see by referring to the map, there are 5 areas where a zoning change is being proposed. The two areas which will have increased density are NL-1(On Washington, just West of Lake) and and NL-5 (on Lake just North of Orange Grove). The others only expand the "mixed used opportunities", meaning they are proposing to make them mixed use retail/residential spaces. These areas were designated for possible zoning changes because the City received feedback from city residents through the General Plan process. The majority of the feedback fell into 4 areas; Protecting and Preserving the neighborhood character (including historic aspects), Targeting Growth Areas, a Focus on Economic Development and Planning for Alternative Transport.
The changes, once finalized with input from the residents (that's us), will first update the General Plan and then result in changes to the North Lake Specific Plan.
The concerns we have about the changes go as follows:
1. Parking near the area of NL-1 (Washington Theatre area) will be a challenge if the theatre is ever developed as a full capacity theatre. Scott's response to this was that each site developed would have to be designed with either back parking lots and/or underground parking. It was also suggested that theatre patrons could share parking of the adjacent developed properties, since the parking hour needs would likely be different. While a reasonable suggestion, we were a bit skeptical at this suggestion because the theatre has a capacity of close to 1,000 people.
2. The density increases in both NL-1 and NL-2 will allow for buildings as tall as 3 stories. Both these areas are adjacent to residences, and that will impact them, having large buildings looming over them. The response by Scott stated that the buildings developed would have a "stepped" development, not a square block building (rising at a 45 degree angle). My thoughts on that would be to cap it at 2 stories, it would be more in keeping with the residential feel of the area. We also voiced concern in the type of residents developed. Rather than having all luxury or all low-income, we should have mixed income properties so the we preserve not just the character and feel of the architecture in NW, but also that we help preserve the socioeconomic diversity of the people living in NW.
3. There were places where the map was incorrect, and this was pointed out to Scott and Vicrim. There are historic properties in NL-3 and residences on Claremont and Hudson, which could not and should not have increased or changed density or zoning.
4. In so far as what type of business would go into the proposed changed areas, it was noted that we may make suggestions as to a general type of business we would like to see, not a specific business.
5. North Lake would also be getting a facelift in terms of wider sidewalks, garden spots and trees. There is a proposed bike lane as well. Our response to the proposed bike lane was mixed; some believed it was a positive thing, others a negative.
The timeline for comments is ASAP. They want feedback quickly, as they hope to begin an Environmental Impact Report in April. We request that you review the proposed changes and email one of us, or Scott Reimers (sreimers@cityofpasadena.net), with your comments. Questions to think about: How will these changes impact my home/neighborhood? Which will impact me the most and how? What types of businesses would you be interested in seeing and walking too? How would this impact traffic for me? Is this an area you may want to live or open a business? Would parking be an issue for me?
City Representatives Present:
Vicrim Chima, Assistant Planner, Design & HIstoric Preservation Community Planning
Scott Reimers, Planner
NW Neighborhood Advocacy Group members present:
Cindy Clark-Schnuelle, Orange Heights
Bob Kneisel, Bungalow Haven & Pasadena Neighborhood Coalition
Cybele Garcia Kohel, Craftsman Heights
Members of NAG met with representatives of the City of Pasadena's Planning Department for the purpose of getting a better understanding of the changes proposed to the General Plan update as it relates to North Lake and how that may impact surrounding neighborhoods.
The following documents are helpful in understanding this discussion:
1. Planning & Community Development Department Staff report to the City Council of October 10, 2012 (summary of the proposed changes)
http://www.cityofpasadena.net/
2. The Map of the proposed changes
http://www.cityofpasadena.net/
3. Pasadena General Plan Update Land Use & Mobility Elements- Community Workshop 3/10/12
http://www.cityofpasadena.net/
As you will see by referring to the map, there are 5 areas where a zoning change is being proposed. The two areas which will have increased density are NL-1(On Washington, just West of Lake) and and NL-5 (on Lake just North of Orange Grove). The others only expand the "mixed used opportunities", meaning they are proposing to make them mixed use retail/residential spaces. These areas were designated for possible zoning changes because the City received feedback from city residents through the General Plan process. The majority of the feedback fell into 4 areas; Protecting and Preserving the neighborhood character (including historic aspects), Targeting Growth Areas, a Focus on Economic Development and Planning for Alternative Transport.
The changes, once finalized with input from the residents (that's us), will first update the General Plan and then result in changes to the North Lake Specific Plan.
The concerns we have about the changes go as follows:
1. Parking near the area of NL-1 (Washington Theatre area) will be a challenge if the theatre is ever developed as a full capacity theatre. Scott's response to this was that each site developed would have to be designed with either back parking lots and/or underground parking. It was also suggested that theatre patrons could share parking of the adjacent developed properties, since the parking hour needs would likely be different. While a reasonable suggestion, we were a bit skeptical at this suggestion because the theatre has a capacity of close to 1,000 people.
2. The density increases in both NL-1 and NL-2 will allow for buildings as tall as 3 stories. Both these areas are adjacent to residences, and that will impact them, having large buildings looming over them. The response by Scott stated that the buildings developed would have a "stepped" development, not a square block building (rising at a 45 degree angle). My thoughts on that would be to cap it at 2 stories, it would be more in keeping with the residential feel of the area. We also voiced concern in the type of residents developed. Rather than having all luxury or all low-income, we should have mixed income properties so the we preserve not just the character and feel of the architecture in NW, but also that we help preserve the socioeconomic diversity of the people living in NW.
3. There were places where the map was incorrect, and this was pointed out to Scott and Vicrim. There are historic properties in NL-3 and residences on Claremont and Hudson, which could not and should not have increased or changed density or zoning.
4. In so far as what type of business would go into the proposed changed areas, it was noted that we may make suggestions as to a general type of business we would like to see, not a specific business.
5. North Lake would also be getting a facelift in terms of wider sidewalks, garden spots and trees. There is a proposed bike lane as well. Our response to the proposed bike lane was mixed; some believed it was a positive thing, others a negative.
The timeline for comments is ASAP. They want feedback quickly, as they hope to begin an Environmental Impact Report in April. We request that you review the proposed changes and email one of us, or Scott Reimers (sreimers@cityofpasadena.net), with your comments. Questions to think about: How will these changes impact my home/neighborhood? Which will impact me the most and how? What types of businesses would you be interested in seeing and walking too? How would this impact traffic for me? Is this an area you may want to live or open a business? Would parking be an issue for me?
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