City Planners to Present General Plan Principles at Special 710 Advisory Group Meeting on Monday

Pasadena’s Department of Planning and Community Development will present its General Plan Principles at a special meeting of the Reconnecting Communities 710 Advisory Group on Monday, July 1. The presentation, scheduled for 6 p.m. in the City Council Chamber at City Hall, will be open to the public.

The meeting will focus on Pasadena’s comprehensive approach to urban planning, as required by California law for all cities and counties. The General Plan, described as expressing “a vision about how a community will grow, reflecting community priorities and values while shaping the future,” encompasses seven key elements.

These elements include Land Use, Mobility, Housing, Open Space and Conservation, Green Space, Recreation and Parks, Safety, and Noise. A new topic, Environmental Justice, is also slated to be addressed in the plan. The California Office of Planning and Research (OPR) establishes General Plan guidelines, including mandatory elements to address.

Pasadena’s Land Use Element, last updated in 2015, designates allowable land uses and sets density and intensity guidelines. It highlights specific plan areas and community places, with goals ranging from sustainable growth to promoting arts and culture. This element also establishes eight Guiding Principles for the city’s development.

The city’s Mobility Element, also from 2015, establishes a multi-modal plan for transportation. It assigns street types based on context and function, and prioritizes bicycle infrastructure alongside public transportation services and parking considerations. Implementation programs include the Bicycle Transportation Action Plan (2015), Pedestrian Transportation Action Plan (2024), and Citywide Parking Strategic Plan (Draft, 2021).

The Housing Element, updated in 2022, addresses existing and future housing needs. It covers topics such as community profile, constraints to development, and housing resources, with goals including promoting healthy neighborhoods and housing diversity. This element must be updated every eight years.

Open Space and Conservation, Green Space, Recreation and Parks elements focus on protecting natural resources and improving urban environments. These sections emphasize the importance of preserving open spaces and enhancing access to recreational facilities.

The Safety Element, dating from 2002, addresses natural and man-made hazards. It aims to improve community safety and sustainability, covering risks such as earthquakes, landslides, and wildfires. The Local Hazard Mitigation Plan (LHMP) guides the city towards greater disaster preparedness and resilience.

Pasadena’s Noise Element, also from 2002, identifies various noise sources and provides guidelines for noise-compatible land use. It aims to reduce the effects of noise from traffic, public transportation, and commercial activities on residential areas.

The city is currently developing an Environmental Justice element, as required by California Senate Bill 1000. This new section will address health risks in disadvantaged communities disproportionately affected by environmental pollution. A “disadvantaged community” is defined as an area identified by CalEPA as a low-income area “disproportionately affected by environmental pollution and other hazards that can lead to negative health effects, exposure, or environmental degradation.”

The presentation will offer insights into how the city plans to balance growth with community values and environmental concerns.