Pasadena City Council Approves Lamanda Park Specific Plan

The Pasadena City Council unanimously approved on Monday the Lamanda Park Specific Plan (LPSP).

The plan is a comprehensive framework designed to guide the development of the southeast Pasadena area between the 210 freeway to the north, Roosevelt and Vista avenues to the west, Colorado Boulevard to the south, and Kinneloa Avenue to the east.

A City staff report described the area as a diverse District with a blend of residential, commercial, and industrial spaces. Lamanda Park is home to over 750 businesses, many of which are centered around the thriving life science industry.

Lamanda Park contributes to the $61.5 billion life science sector in the Los Angeles region and is home to many long-standing businesses, some of which have been in the area for more than 20 years.

“We have to invest in their community and in their business space so that we can see this plan come to fruition,” said Councilmember Tyron Hampton.

Councilmember Gene Masuda pushed for the plan nearly 10 years ago, but received pushback at that time from some City Councilmembers.

“It was ‘we don’t need another specific plan,'” said Masuda who praised members of the City staff that stood by him on the matter. “I am very grateful for that. It’s an area that needs a lot of improvement.”

Since that time Home Depot has moved into the area and the City Council has approved plans for a new Rusnak Porsche dealership in the area.

The plan aims to foster innovation and creativity while preserving the neighborhood’s unique character as a hub for research, development, and light industry.

The Planning Commission voted unanimously to recommend the City Council approve the plan with pilot investments to be implemented and funded by the City within the first year of the Specific Plan’s adoption with a minimum budget allocation of $50,000.

The LPSP is part of the broader “Our Pasadena” initiative, which is updating the City’s specific plans to ensure sustainable growth while maintaining the area’s distinctiveness.

The Lamanda Park area, known for its mix of commercial, industrial, and residential uses, is seen as a key area for economic growth, especially in the technology and life sciences sectors.

The plan will establish new goals, policies, and regulations for the area, focusing on improving connectivity, expanding housing opportunities, and enhancing the public realm with pedestrian-friendly infrastructure. The plan also emphasizes maintaining the area’s role as a research and development hub while introducing more residential options on its periphery.

The Council will also consider adopting an addendum to the City’s 2015 General Plan Environmental Impact Report (EIR), confirming that the new plan does not trigger additional environmental reviews. Additionally, the plan includes a zoning map amendment and a land use map update to reflect the proposed changes in the area.

The Planning Commission’s approval of the LPSP included several key recommendations to improve the area’s infrastructure and environmental sustainability, including protection of existing street trees throughout Lamanda Park, requirement for new developments to include pedestrian walkways from arterial streets to main building entrances, incorporation of additional pedestrian crosswalks along Colorado Boulevard, development of a potential linear park along the former railroad right-of-way, pilot investments for infrastructure improvements to be implemented within the first year of the plan’s adoption, with a minimum budget of $50,000.

These recommendations, along with a proposed review of pedestrian access from Walnut Street to the Home Depot entrance, aim to improve the area’s livability while supporting its economic growth.

The LPSP envisions the area as a cutting-edge hub for business development and innovation. The plan encourages the development of new, pedestrian-friendly spaces and enhanced public areas to promote sustainability and better connectivity between businesses and the community. The area’s existing employment and commercial focus will be preserved, with housing primarily concentrated on the outskirts to complement the District’s economic activity.

Significant improvements to pedestrian infrastructure, such as new crosswalks and expanded landscaped medians, are part of the plan to make Lamanda Park more accessible and attractive. The plan also seeks to improve transportation options for residents and workers, including the development of better connections to the nearby Sierra Madre Villa Metro Station.

If approved, the Lamanda Park Specific Plan will be the latest addition to the City’s comprehensive planning effort, joining previously adopted plans for other areas such as Lincoln Avenue, East Colorado, and South Fair Oaks.