Planning Commission Gives Unanimous Support to Lamanda Park Specific Plan

Six years after launching a first-ever Specific Plan for the Lamanda Park area of Pasadena, the Planning Commission on Wednesday unanimously voted to recommend approval, but with a key condition.

The plan area covers the portion of the city between the 210 Freeway on the north, Colorado Boulevard on the south, Roosevelt Avenue on the west and Kinneloa on the east. That’s the historic heart of what was once an independent township before being absorbed into the City more than a century ago. It’s home to more than 750 businesses, employing nearly 5,500 people. More than 100 of those businesses have been operating there for at least 20 years. 

According to City planning staff, the goals of the new plan include:

 A supportive environment for new development and businesses 

• A reinvigorated Colorado Boulevard that entices locals with unique retail, restaurants, and other amenities 
• A variety of new housing options including multi-family, mixed-use, and work/live units. 
• Creative building design that fits the scale of the neighborhood while providing more activity and a sense of place. 
• Enhancing the pedestrian experience for future residents in new multi-use buildings, existing and new work/live units, as well as employees walking to local shops around the area and connecting to public transportation. 

Ten citizens addressed the Commission. While generally favoring the plan and complimenting the staff for their work, many expressed concerns about the City’s commitment to maintain the area, let alone enhance it.

Resident Mary Fitzpatrick saluted the vision of improving pedestrian pathways, noting that the current experience of walking from her home to the nearby Metro station is “not good.” 

Harvey Cortner called for more trees, particularly natives. Estelle Campbell a resident and business owner expressed frustration with the design of the recent Home Depot and called for making sure that “goals are actually met.” 

Commercial broker Cathy Constanzo noted homeless concerns and said “the budget is very important to be able to execute the plan in a timely manner.”

That theme was echoed by the Planning Commissioners. Commissioner Rick Cole saluted the staff for “a very thoughtful and thorough” effort that reflected “sensitivity to the concerns that have been expressed” by residents. He cited the transformation of Old Pasadena from “skid row into one of the most vibrant realms in Southern California.” He expressed concern about adopting the plan “without a budget, without a commitment” by other City departments to actually implement the plan.

Commissioner Steve Olivas credited the staff with “really listening.” But, he added, “there is a lot more work to be done” and “we ought to be clear about what is and isn’t being done,” particularly about walkability and safety. 

Commissioner Julianna Delgado warned against raising expectations without providing the funding and follow-through needed to implement the Plan’s vision. She also suggested exploring making a linear park out of the old railroad right of way that runs through the area. 

Chair Jennifer Higginbotham suggested prioritizing some projects that could be implemented quickly in the Commission’s recommendation to the City Council.

Ultimately, the Commissioners unanimously recommended that the City Council adopt the Plan. However, the motion included advice to the Council that approval of the plan be accompanied by “initial commitments of staff time and pilot investments to be implemented within the first year of the Plan with a minimum budget allocation of $50,000.” 

Cole explained, “It’s budget dust in a City budget of over a billion dollars, but unless there is staff time and unless there’s money” the Plan will likely sit on a shelf rather than bring the desired results envisioned in the plan.

Planning Director Jennifer Paige pledged the Plan would go to the City Council for final approval “by the end of the year.”