DRAFT Vision Report 6-5-2012

7/31/2019 DRAFT Vision Report 6-5-2012

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TableofContentsIntroduction........................................................................................... 1VisionforAltadena................................................................................. 3

Diverse,eclectic,uniquecharacter................................................................4Viewsandaccesstothemountainsandnature..............................................7Town/districtcenterswiththrivingbusinesses..............................................10Safeandpeacefulneighborhoods................................................................14Communitycohesionandstronginstitutions................................................17Opportunitiesforwalking,biking,hiking,riding,andplay.............................20

GoingForward...................................................................................... 23Appendices[notincludedinthisdocument;refertoprojectwebsite]

NotesfromWorkshop1:GroupWorkNotesandPostItNotes

NotesfromWorkshop2

[Tobeadded:NotesfromWorkshop3]


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AltadenaCommunityVisioningProcess DRAFTVisionReportJune2012 Page1

Introduction

Purpose

In2012,theCommunityDevelopmentCommissionoftheCountyofLosAngelesandtheCountyofLos

AngelesDepartmentofRegionalPlanninginitiatedavisioningprocesstogathercommunityinput

aboutAltadenasfuture. Thisinputwasintendedtosetthedirectionforanyfutureupdatestothe

CommunityStandards

District

zoning

regulations

specific

to

Altadena

as

well

as

provide

the

County

andAltadenaleaderswithabetterunderstandingofwhatcommunitymemberswanttoseein

Altadenasfuture.

ThisvisionreportisasummaryofthecommunityinputreceivedthroughtheAltadenaCommunity

VisioningProcess. ItdescribeswhatcommunitymembersvaluemostaboutAltadena,themajorissues

theyfeelshouldbeaddressed,andthekindoffuturethattheyhopetosee. Itisnotaworkprogram

butratherasnapshotofacommunitydiscussion.

ThereportwillserveasareferencedocumentfortheCountyofLosAngelesinanyfutureplanning

effortsthatmaybeundertakenwhenfundingandresourcesbecomeavailable. Communitymembers

mayalso

choose

to

continue

the

conversations

begun

in

the

visioning

process

and

pursue

the

suggestionsthathavebeenmade.

VisioningProcess

BeginninginFebruary2012,theCountysconsultant

teambecamefamiliarwithAltadenaandmetwith

individualsandgroupsthatwereexpectedtohave

insightintomajorcommunityissuesandassets.

Theseinterviewsandmeetingscontinued

throughouttheprocess. Groupsthatparticipated

includedtheTownCouncilandtheCouncilsLand

UseCommittee,

Altadena

Heritage,

Chamber

of

Commerce,theAltadenaLibrary,andAltadena

CrestTrailWorkingGroup.

Aseriesofthreecommunityworkshopswasheldat

LomaAltaParkGymontheeveningsofApril4,April

25,andJune6;eachworkshoplastedabout2hours.

Effortstopromoteparticipationintheseworkshops

includedpostcardssenttoeverypropertyownerin

Altadena;flyerssenthomeinstudentpackets

throughthepublicschoolsinAltadena;emailssent

throughcommunity

lists;

anotice

on

the

CommunityDevelopmentCommissionandTown

Councilwebsites;andarticlesinAltadenablog,the

AltadenaPatch,andthePasadenaStarNews.

Emails,flyers,andpostcardswerewritteninSpanish

aswellasEnglish,andSpanishtranslationwas

availableattheworkshops.

ThetopicofNewBusinessesattractedattentioninthefirstcommunityworkshop.Below,dotsshowwhereworkshopparticipantsliveorwork.


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Thefirstcommunityworkshopgatheredcomments

aboutAltadenastreasures,challenges,and

visionsforthefuturefromatleast135participants

throughanindividualbrainstormingexercise

followedbysmallgroupdiscussionsaboutthemajor

topicsinthecomments. Thesecondworkshop

(attendedby

at

least

80

people)

prompted

groups

to

discusstheinputthathadbeenreceivedatthefirst

workshop,theinterviews/meetings,andonline.

Thisinputwaspresentedonasetofdiscussion

sheetsthatbecamethebasisforthisvisionreport.

[DescriptionofWorkshop3tobeaddedhereinthe

finalreport.]

ReportOrganization

ThevisioningprocessuncoveredawealthofideasaboutAltadenasfuture,onawiderangeoftopics.

Workshopsummaries

(see

Appendix)

that

were

produced

during

the

process

presented

this

input

in

full;however,thisreportisintendedtoprovideafocusedlistofitemsthatcommunitymembersseem

tofeelaremostimportantatthistime.

TheVisionforAltadenasectionisthemainbodyofthisreport. Itisorganizedaroundsixprimary

characteristicsthatdescribethedesiredfutureforAltadena,asexpressedbyparticipantsinthe

visioningprocess. Foreachcharacteristic,thereportpresentsthefollowing:

GuidingPrinciplesThesestatements,originallypresentedtocommunitymembersinWorkshop2andrevisedbasedontheirfeedback,describeageneralapproachforachievingor

retainingadesiredcharacteristic. Theymaybeseenasaframeworkforpolicyoraction.

VisioningQuotesKeyquotesfromindividualsandsmallgroupsexplainincommunitymembersownwordswhattheyhopeAltadenawillachieve.

KeyTopicstoAddressThissectionprovidescommunityinputregardingkeytopicsthatresidentsfeelshouldbeaddressed. Foreachtopic,relatedcommunityconcernsand

suggestionsarepresented,alongwithsomerelevantbackgroundinformationandthingsto

consider. Theseconsiderationsincludeinstancesofsuggestionsalreadybeingimplemented,

potentialcontradictionsincommunitymemberssuggestions,andotherpotentialissuesthat

theCountyandconsultantareawareof.

TheGoingForwardsectionprovidesalistofinitiativesthatreceivedsupportinthevisioningprocess

andsuggests

how

the

vision

report

may

be

used

by

the

County

and

community

members.

TheAppendicesprovidemoredetaileddescriptionsoftheworkshopsandcompilationsofthe

communityinputreceivedatthoseworkshops.

GroupsdiscussedearliercommunityinputinWorkshop2.Credit:altadenablog.


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VisionforAltadena

ByidentifyingAltadenastreasuresandmakingsuggestionsforthefuture,participantsinthe

visioningprocessexpressedthattheirdesiredfuturecommunityshouldhavethefollowing

characteristics:

Diverse,eclectic,uniquecharacter Viewsandaccesstothemountainsandnature Town/districtcenterswiththrivingbusinesses Safeandpeacefulneighborhoods Communitycohesionandstronginstitutions Opportunitiesforwalking,biking,hiking,riding,andplay

SomeoftheseareexistingcharacteristicsthatresidentswantAltadenatoretain;othersareideal

characteristicsthattheyhopeAltadenawillachieve. Eachcharacteristicisdescribedbelow.


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Diverse,eclectic,uniquecharacter

Residentsappreciatetheeclecticanduniquecharacterof

Altadena. Thisincludesplacessuchashistoricalhomesand

properties,andlocallyownedbusinesses. Italsoincludesan

appreciationforpeoplewitharangeofethnicbackgroundsand

incomes,andforartistsandmusiciansinthecommunity.

GuidingPrinciples Preservehistoric,eclectic,uniquecharacter Allowavarietyofbuildingtypesandstylesinkeeping

withAltadenaseclecticcharacter

ValuethediversityofAltadenaspopulation Allowfordiversityinhousingtypesandaffordability Respectthedesireforindependenceandfreedom

KeyTopicstoAddress Designregulationsandguidelines Incomediversityandgentrification

DesignregulationsandguidelinesBackground

AsacknowledgedbymanyparticipantsinWorkshop1,

Altadenahasarichhistorythathasleftalegacyofhistoric

buildingsandothersites.TheAltadenabuiltenvironment

reflectsdifferentperiodsofgrowththroughoutthishistory,

withdifferentbuildingstylesandstandards. Inthepresentday,

developmentinAltadenaisregulatedbytheLosAngeles

County

General

Plan,

Altadena

Community

Plan,

and

Los

AngelesCountyzoningcode.

TheCommunityStandardsDistrict(CSD)addstoandmodifies

theunderlyingCountyzoningregulationsforsetbacks,signage,

andotheraspectsofbuildingandsitedesign.Itincludes

languagethatpromotestheuseofaMediterraneanstylefor

buildingsintheLakeAvenueareaandlimitsbasebuilding

colorstolightearthtonesandmutedpastelcolorswhile

allowingcontrasting,morecolorfulcolorsfortrim.

TheCSDalsoprovidesresidentialregulationsforAltadena

whichaddress

development

and

grading

in

County

designated

hillsidemanagementareas,andprovidedevelopment

standardsforR1,R2,andR3zones. Thesestandardsinclude

yardsizerequirements,requiredsetbacks,heightlimits,

requirednumberofparkingspaces,maximumfloorareaandlot

coverageallowedforsinglefamilyhomes,andtheinclusionof

decorativerooflinefeaturesformultifamilybuildings.

VisioningQuotes

Notcookiecutter lotsofcharacter

Treasure,

Workshop

1

HistorichomesTreasure,Workshop1

Uniquearchitecture&design

Treasure,Workshop1

Creativepeople:scientists,artists,

musiciansTreasure,Workshop1

Eccentrics/diversityofpopulation

Treasure,Workshop1

Independentspiritofresidents&racially

diversegroupsTreasure,Workshop1

Weneedtobemoreawareoftheless

welloffpartsoftown

Challenge,Workshop1

Bringingeast+westsectorstogether

Challenge,Workshop1

Gentrificationisathreattoquiet&racial

harmony

Challenge,

Workshop

1

Iliveinthesamestreetasmydoctor

andmygardener Idon'twantthatto

change.Vision,Workshop1

Preserverangeofincomelevels not

becomealluppermiddleclass

Challenge,Workshop1


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IssuesIdentifiedbyCommunity

CommercialareasTheCSDlimitationsonbuildingstyleandcolorseeminconsistentwithAltadenas

eclecticandcreativecharacter,anddonotfittodayssensibilityforcolors/signage/architecture,in

thewordsofWorkshop2participants.

ResidentialareasItmaybeachallengetoapplyzoninganddesignguidelinestotheuniquepatchwork

ofAltadenas

residential

areas.

For

instance,

due

to

current

setback

requirements,

homeowners

in

the

R1zonemayneedconditionalusepermitsforhomeexpansionsiftheirpropertyissignificantlysmaller

(andthereforetheirsetbackssmaller)thanthoseoftheirneighbors. AsubcommitteeoftheTown

CouncilsLandUseCommitteeproducedareportthatrecommendsrevisionstotheR1zoning

regulationsintheCommunityStandardsDistricttoaddressthisissueandmakeotheradaptationsfor

Altadenasneighborhoods.

FenceheightsManyfencesinAltadenasresidentialareasdonotconformtotheCountyzoning

regulations,butcommunitymembersseemtofindthefencesacceptable.

PreservingviewsCommunitymemberswishtopreserveviewsofnighttimeskiesandtounderground

powerlines

that

interfere

with

daytime

views.

CommunitySuggestions

Commercialareas:o Providedesignguidancethatpromotesarchitecturalqualitywithoutdictatinga

particularstyleorcolorscheme.

o Establishstandardsorguidelinesforbuildingmass,setbacks,density,rearparking,andrightofwayintrusion.

o Requirethateachstorybesetbackfartherthanthestorybeneathit,tohelppreserveviewsofthemountainsfromthestreet. Allowbuildingoverhangsoversidewalks.

Homeadditions,accessorybuildings,pools:o Revisesetback/yardrequirementsinCSDsothathomeownersdonotneedconditional

usepermitsfortypesofexpansionsthatthecommunityfindsacceptable. (Forsuggestedrevisions,refertothereportfromLandUseCommitteeSubcommitteefor

theReviewoftheAltadenaCommunityStandardsDistrictZoneR1.)

ReviseregulationstobemoreaccommodatingoffencesandhedgesthatalreadyexistinAltadena.

Providemoreproactivecodeenforcementtopromotebetterpropertymaintenance,ensurecompatibilitywithsurroundingproperties,andpreserveoaktrees.

Adoptadarkskyordinancetocontrollightpollution. TheCountyrecentlyadoptedsuchanordinance,whichonlyappliestotheportionsofAltadenalocatedwithintheboundariesofthe

AngelesNationalForest.

Create

a

long

term

plan

for

undergrounding

utilities

and

power

lines.

Considerations

BuildingheightsinmuchofAltadenascommercialareasarelimitedto35feet,andcommunity

membershavedifferingopinionsaboutwhetherthislimitshouldbepreserved. Thesuggestionfor

steppingbackanystoriesbuiltabovethegroundfloormaypartlyaddresstheconcernsofpeoplewho

wishtoretainthecurrentheightlimit.


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IncomediversityandgentrificationBackground

Altadenaisdiverseinmanyways,includingitsmixofhousingoptionswithinneighborhoodsthatallows

peoplewitharangeofincomestoliveincloseproximitytoeachother. Asseeninthecommunity

quotes,thisissomethingthatpeopletreasure.

IssuesIdentified

by

Community

GentrificationThisisatermwithdifferentconnotations.Itusuallydescribesaprocessof

transformationinanareathatincludesanincreaseinrentpricesandaninfluxofbusinessesthatcater

topeoplewithhigherincomes. Itcanfollowpositivechangestoanareathathavemadeitmore

desirabletoliveorconductbusinessthere. However,anincreaseinthecostoflivingcanleadto

displacementofpeopleandbusinessesinfact,withoutpreventativeeffortsdisplacementislikelyto

occur. AstheVisioningQuotesonpage4suggest,Workshop1participantsfeltthatgentrificationis

occurringinAltadenaandtheywantedtopreservetheaffordabilitythatallowsresidentsofdifferent

incomestoliveonthesamestreet.

East/WestdivideAlthoughAltadenansvalueincomediversity,residentsseemlesscomfortablewitha

largerdifference

they

see

between

the

east

side

and

west

side

of

the

community.

Community

membershaveidentifiedaneconomic,physicalandsocialdivide,includingalackofeast/west

connectionsalongcorridors,andtheyperceivedifferencesinthequalityofgovernmentservices

providedintheseareas.

InfrastructureandutilitiesCommunitymembersreportedissueswithelectricityreliability,homes

usingseptictanks,andoutdatedheatingsystemsinolderhomes. Furtherexplorationmaybeneeded

todeterminewhethersomeoftheseissuesareaffectingpeoplewhoneedassistanceinrehabilitating

theirhomes,andwhetherthereareparticularneighborhoodsinneedofmoreattention.


Therewerenodirectsuggestionsrelatingtogentrification.However,actionsrelatedtoCommunitycohesionandstronginstitutionsmayaddresssomeofthedesiresforbetterconnectionsacrosssocialdivisions,andforprovidingcommunitysupportsforpeopleinneed.

Communitymembersmadegeneralsuggestionstoencouragephysicalconnectivitybetweentheeastandwestthroughimprovementstoeastwestcorridorsandtransitconnections.

Suggestionsforinfrastructureincludedextendingsewersystemsandprovidingbettercommunicationsinfrastructure.

Considerations

WrittencommentsfromWorkshop1protestedthatsewerfeesshouldnotbeincreasedinorderto

extendsewerinfrastructure.


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Viewsandaccesstothemountainsandnature

InWorkshop1,themountainsandnaturewerethemost

commonlycitedtreasuresofAltadena. Residentsappreciate

viewsofthemountainsaswellasthetrailsthatallowaccessto

nature. Localparks,trees,andgreeneryarevalued,asare

peaceandquiet,darkernightskies,andaruralorcountry

feelingin

Altadena.

Appreciation

for

nature

leads

some

residentstodesiregreatersustainabilityinthebuilt

environment.

GuidingPrinciples Keephillsideneighborhoodsinharmonywiththe

naturallandscape

Preserveviewsofmountainsandhills Retainpeaceandquiet Allowrural/agriculturaluses Encourageurbanagricultureactivities Preservematuretrees Supporthealthywildlifepopulationsinnearby

wildernessareas

KeyTopicstoAddress AltadenaCrestTrailcompletionandaccess Sustainability

AltadenaCrestTrailcompletionandaccessBackground

The

Altadena

Crest

Trail

is

an

east

west

trail

between

HahamongnaWatershedParkandEatonCanyonNaturalArea

alongthebaseoftheSanGabrielMountains.Skirtingtheedge

ofdevelopedneighborhoods,itservesasacrosscommunity

connectorandconnectstoothertrailsystemsincludingAngeles

NationalForesttrailsandtheproposedEmeraldHorseshoe.

TheCountyofLosAngelesAltadenaCrestTrailImprovements

FeasibilityAnalysisidentifiedfourgapsalongthetrailand

evaluatedpotentialtrailsegmentstofillthosegaps.


TrailcompletionCommunitymemberswishtocompletethe

AltadenaCrest

Trail.

According

to

community

members,

historicalmapsshowamorecompletetrailthanwhatexists

todayandgapshavecomeaboutthroughneglect.

Developmenthasencroachedonthetrailandpropertyowners

haveerectedfencesblockingtrailuse. Communitymembers

alsoreportedthattheCountyvacatedaportionofthetrail.

VisioningQuotes

Accesstomountains,trails,nature

Treasure,

Workshop

1

Valuethequiet don'thearfreeway

noises dohearbirdsintrees,see

squirrelsTreasure,Workshop1

OurmountainsTreasure,Workshop1

Continuethesmalltownfeel,horseson

streetsetc.Vision,Workshop1

Anexpanded

local

economy

based

on

camping,hiking,equestrian&mountain

bikingusesVision,Workshop1

Preserveoaksandothermaturetrees

Vision,Workshop1

Preserveopenspace&green(pastoral)

recreationsuchashiking,horseriding,

birdwatching,openairpainting,wild

flowerwalks,

moonlight

hikes,

etc!

Vision,Workshop1

EnvironmentalsensitivityGoGreen!

Vision,Workshop1


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TrailaccessCommunitymembersbroughtuptwopointsregardingaccesstotheAltadenaCrestTrail.

Accesspointsarebeingcontrolledbyadjacentpropertyowners,someofwhomblockentrywithlocked

gates. Also,thetrailclosesatduskalthoughAngelesNationalForesttrailsthatconnecttothetrailare

openthroughthenight,preventingthroughtravelforusersoftheNationalForesttrailsandnighttime

enjoymentofthetrail.


AddlanguagetotheCommunityStandardsDistrictthatsupportstraileasements,perhapslookingtootherareasforexamples(e.g.Acton,SantaClarita).

AssignCountystafftocoordinatewiththeAltadenaCrestTrailRestorationWorkingGrouptoworkontraileasementsandresolveissueswithpropertyownerstoensureaccesstothe

AltadenaCrestTrail.

AllownighttimeaccesstoAltadenaCrestTrail,likeNationalForesttrails,orprovidespecialnighthikesasinEatonCanyon;butlimitdisturbanceinneighborhoodsbycontinuingtoenforce

prohibitiononparkingbetween10pmand6am.

EstablishanaturecenteronthewestsideofAltadena(nearHahamongnaWatershedPark/ArroyoSeco).

ConsiderationsPlanningfortrailaccesspointsshouldbecoordinatedwithplanningforwalking,biking,andhorseback

ridinginfrastructureinordertoallownonmotorizedtraveltoandfromtrailheads.

SustainabilityBackground

Atthemostbasiclevel,environmentalsustainabilityaimsforthelongtermstewardshipofenergy,

water,andothernaturalresources. Itisoftenlinkedtoothercommunitygoalsincludingsocialequity

andastableeconomy. ForAltadena,concernfortheenvironmentislinkedtoenjoymentand

stewardshipofnaturalareasandwildlifeaswellasaninterestinlocalfoodproduction.

IssuesIdentified

by

Community

ParticipantsinWorkshop1sawopportunitiesforgreaterlocalizationandindependencethrough

promotingalocaleconomyandfoodsystem,transportationoptions,renewableenergygeneration,

andwaterreuse.


Promotealocalfoodsystemthroughcommunitygardening,fruitharvesting,urbanhomesteading,farmersmarket,andafoodcoop.

Encouragemoretreesandgreenery:treecanopy,greenroofs,andlivingfacades. Requireshadetreesinparkinglotsandusedroughttolerantplantspeciesthatwithstandwindstorms.

Requirepropermaintenanceoftreesandlandscaping.

Incentivizesustainablebusinesspracticesregardingwaste,energy,andwater. Inresidentialareas,encourageactivitiesthatreducewasteandconserveenergyandwater,

suchasinstallingsolarpanels,retrofittinghomestobemoreenergyefficient,capturing

stormwater,usinggreenbuildingmethods,etc.

Createacorpstoinstallsolarpanelsandrehabilitatehomes,perhapsthroughavocationaleducationprogram. SeekgrantfundingfromSoCalEdison.

Promotesustainabilitythroughasymposium,website,andsustainabilityoverlay.


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Leverageyouthtobeambassadorsofsustainability. Preserveandenhancewildlifehabitatandcorridors.Listedasanareaofconcern:Hahamongna

watershedsedimentremovalroute.

Provideanimalservicesthatrespondquicklyandminimizesuffering.ConsidercontractingwithPasadenaHumaneSociety.

Considerations

Somesuggestions

for

the

local

food

system

are

already

being

implemented.

A

certified

farmers

marketwaslaunchedinAltadenaonMay30,2012andeffortsareunderwaytoplanafoodcoopforthe

area.

TheCommunityStandardsDistrictalreadyrequiresmaintenanceoflandscapingthroughregular

pruning,weeding,fertilizing,litterremoval,andreplacementofplantsasnecessary.


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Town/districtcenterswiththrivingbusinesses

Whileresidentsvaluethefeelingofbeingremovedfromlarger

cities,theproximitytonature,andthesenseofquietin

Altadena,thereisadesireforthecommunitytohavemoreof

theamenitiesassociatedwithcitylifeandatleastonetown

centerwherepeoplecanshop,walk,andgatherwithother

communitymembers.

Residents

would

like

to

see

the

commercialareasthrivingandoccupiedwithmorebusinesses,

butalsoexpressedadesireformoreconvenientshoppingand

formorerestaurantsandcafes,aswellascommunityevents.

GuidingPrinciples Provideparkingadjacenttobusinessesaswellasshared

parkingareasandonstreetparkingsovisitorscanpark

onceandwalktobusinesses

Encouragewalkingandenjoymentofthestreetsbringthestreetstolife

Incentivizedevelopment,rehabilitation,andreuseofcommercialproperties

Encouragerestaurants,cafes,andotheruseswherepeoplecangather

Encourageamixofuniqueandlocallyownedretailthatservesresidentsandattractsvisitors

Encourageexpansionofqualitygroceryretail Allowattractiveandvisiblesignagethatsupportslocal

businesses

Encouragecommunityevents,art,andperformances Incorporatetreesandlandscaping

KeyTopicstoAddress Fillingvacanciesandaddressingblight Parkingsupplyandregulations Streetscapeimprovements Signage

FillingvacanciesandaddressingblightBackground

EmptybuildingsarenoticeableinAltadenascommercialareas.

Inaddition,therearesomelargeandvisiblevacantlotssuchas

thefenced

lot

on

Lake

Avenue

at

Calaveras.

These

properties

arepotentiallocationsforneworexpandingbusinesses.


Vacant/underusedpropertiesBesidesthesmallervacant

storefronts,communitymemberswouldliketosee

developmentorrehabilitationofsomelargeandvisible

VisioningQuotes

Morecommunityfriendly,locallyowned

businesses

Vision,

Workshop

1

Survivalofthesmallbusinessthatwe

know&loveVision,Workshop1

RedesignLakeareacommerce,Aveto

bemoreinvitingwithshops,restaurants

&venuesforcelebrationsand

festivalsdrawpeoplefromotherplaces

Vision,Workshop1

Walkabledowntown

or

town

center

areawithrestaurants,localshops,

gatheringplacesVision,Workshop1

Thrivingbusinessesaddinginlight

manufacturing&servicecompanies

Vision,Workshop1


13/26


propertiesincludingthoseatLakeandCalaveras,Lincoln

andAltadena,andtheRiteAidshoppingcenter.Someare

concernedabouthavingtoomanyreligioususesoccupying

storefrontssincethesespacescouldbeusedbybusinesses

thatdrawmorefoottraffic(onmostdays)andaddtothe

taxbase.However,othersfeelthattheseusesaddvalue.

BlightUndeveloped

properties

and

empty

buildings

are

a

concern,aswellasalackofpropertymaintenanceincluding

weedsandtrash,unmaintainedlandscape,dirtywindows,

lackofpaint,andraggedfences.

RegulatoryissuesItisdifficultfornewusestooccupy

buildingsthatdonotconformtozoning,whichdiscourages

thereuseofthesebuildings. Additionally,itisdifficultfor

businessestomeetparkingrequirements,thusdiscouraging

themtoopeninthecommunity(thisisdescribedfurtherin

thenextsection,Parkingsupplyandregulations).


Stronglydiscouragepropertyownersfromallowingtheirpropertiestoremainvacant,unfinished,orunmaintained. Raisefinesforpropertymaintenanceviolations,andenactatax

onvacantbuildingsequaltothegeneralfairmarketrentofthearea.

Createaonestopshop/ombudsmantohelpbusinessesthroughthepermittingprocesstostartandexpandinAltadena.CommentfromWorkshop2:Countyneedstoremove

roadblocks. Lowerfeesforpermits.

Assistbusinesseswithcodecompliancebeforeimposingfines.EncourageaworkingrelationshipbetweentheCountyandChamberofCommercetoprovidethisassistance. Lower

finesforcodeviolationsthatdonotcauseblight.

Expandallowedusestoincludelightmanufacturing,andencourageartistenterprises. Grandfatheroriginalzoningtoallowstreetfrontretailbusinessestoopeninnonconforming

buildings.Allowexistingusesontransferorsale.

EstablishaBusinessImprovementDistricttopursuepositivechangessuchasaddressingundermaintainedproperties.

Considerations

Althoughcommunitymemberssuggestedenactingamoratoriumontheusesofstorefrontsfor

religiouspurposes,thisisnotlikelytobelegallydefensibleandothersinthecommunityhavealready

objected. Giventheamountofattentionthisissuereceived,however,furtherexplorationissuggested

toaddresstherootconcernssurroundingtheseuses:deadspaceandunusedparkingspacesin

commercialareasduringtheweek.

ParkingsupplyandregulationsBackground

SmallerparcelsinAltadenascommercialareashavelimitedonsiteparking,andlargerparkinglotsare

notshared.Countyzoningrequiresthatbusinessesprovideacertainnumberofspaces,soforasmaller

parcelthiscanmeanthatanewbusinesswillneedaconditionalusepermittoopen.

CaseStudy:PopUpRetailAn experiment in the city ofOakland has

made headlines with the simultaneous

openingof6new storesona single block

that had longterm vacancies. A new

business incubator called Popuphood

negotiated a deal with the landlord to

allowthe

businesses

to

occupy

his

buildings

for six months without rent. Popuphood

also helped the businesses with the

permitting process and securing a grant

from the city for tenant improvements.

May 4, 2012 marked the end of the six

months, when three of the businesses

signedlongtermleases.

Asimilarapproachcouldbehelpfulinareas

with multiple vacancies where new

businesses may have difficulty attracting

attentionandfoottraffic.


14/26



ParkingrequirementsThecostandprocessingtimeforobtainingaconditionalusepermitare

prohibitive. AtWorkshop2,acommunitymemberwrote,Untilparkingrestrictionsareresolvednew

businesseslikerestaurantscannotopen. GroupsinWorkshop2saidthataddressingtheissueof

parkingshouldbeapriority.


ReviseparkingrequirementstoreducetheneedforbusinessestoobtainConditionalUsePermits:

o Allowbusinessestocountspacesincommon.o Issueparkingpermitstolimitoverflowintoresidentialareas.

Createpublicparkingareas:o AdddiagonalparkingonMariposaStreetandLakeAvenue.(SeeStreetscape

Improvementstopicfordetails.)

o CreateparkingareasonCountyownedland.Suggestion:EmptylotonElMolinoStreetbetweenSheriffandfirestation.

Establishmechanismsforshareduseofexistingandfutureparkingamongcommercial,publicand

non

profit

entities:

o Allowbusinessestomeetparkingrequirementsbyleasingparkingonadjacent/nearby

parcels.

o Seektousetheparkinglotsofreligiousoperationswhentheyarenotbusy.Considerations

Someparticipantssuggestedcompletelyeliminatingparkingrequirements.However,parking

standardsareinplacetolimitthenumberofcarsthatcompetewithsurroundingusesforstreet

parking. Theseusesmaybeotherbusinessesorresidences.

StreetscapeimprovementsBackground

Streetscapeherereferstothespacethatliesbetweenthefacesofbuildingsoneithersideofa

streetincludingtheroadway,sidewalks,andamenitiessuchastreesandbenches. Community

membershavemadesuggestionsforchangestothestreetscapeinthetown/districtcenterareasthat

theybelievewillslowtraffic,provideparking,andencouragepedestrianactivity.


PedestriansafetyCommercialareasarenotcomfortableforpedestrians,andcrossingstreetsinfront

ofdownhilltrafficcanfeelunsafe.

StreetparkingCurrentparallelparkingonstreetsdoesnotprovideasufficientnumberofspaces(see

Parkingtopic).


Createparking/gatheringspaceinthemiddleoftheMariposaStreetrightofway(similartothenewmedianinLancastersdowntown,orarowofdiagonalparking).

CreatediagonalparkingonLakeAvenueaspartofaredesignthatnarrowsthestreetandcalmstraffic.


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Useurbandesignandlandscapingtomakepedestriansfeelsafeandcreategatheringspaces. Addtreesandlandscaping(seeSustainabilitytopic). Incorporatewater/stormwaterfeaturesthathelppreventfloodingwhileallowingstormwaterto

replenishgroundwaterresourcesandaddingaestheticvalue.

Considerations

PastproposalstomodifytheroadwayhavebeendiscouragedduetoCountystaffconcernsorpolicies

forinstance,

safety

concerns

about

any

diagonal

parking

that

would

result

in

cars

backing

into

downhill

traffic. However,asseenabove,communitymemberscontinuetobelievethatchangesareneeded.

SignageBackground

BoththeunderlyingCountyzoningcodeandCommunityStandardsDistrict(CSD)regulatesignage

accordingtocommunitydesiresthathavebeenexpressedinthepast,andtheCSDcontainsstandards

forsignsize,height,placement,aswellaswhattypesofsignsareallowed. Forinstance,theCSD

prohibitsroofsignsintheLakeAvenuearea,andfreestandingsignssuchassandwichboardsarenot

permittedonsidewalksorthepublicrightofway.

TheCSDprohibitsbillboardsintheLakeAvenueareaandWestAltadenaArea(LincolnAvenue

betweenFigueroaDriveandWoodburyAvenue;WoodburyAvenuebetweentheCityofPasadenaand

LincolnAvenue). However,billboardsthatwerepresentbeforetheCSDwasadoptedarestillpresent.


SignregulationsAltadena businessesfindthecurrentregulationstoorestrictive.Theywouldlike

morefreedomtopromotetheirbusiness,includingtheuseofsandwichboardsandothertemporary

signstoadvertiseeventssuchassales.

BillboardsSeveral billboardsremaininAltadena,includingbillboardsthatarenotbeingmaintained.


Allowtemporarysigns,sandwichboardsigns,andpermanentwindowsigns.Limitationsonsignageshouldbeminimalbutpromoteattractivesigns.Suggestionsforlimits:noprofanity,

pornography,obstructionofanotherbusiness,orpoliticalsigns.

Createaprocessforphasingoutbillboards,especiallythosethatarenotusedormaintained.Considerations

Ingeneral,signageregulationsareintendedtopromoteanattractiveandunclutteredcommercial

environment. Theycanalsoassistbusinessesincommunicatingeffectivelywithcustomers.Elimination

ofsignregulationscouldrestricttheabilityoftheCountytoenforcesignagemaintenanceandcausea

disorderlyappearance. Poorlyplacedsandwichboardscanalsointerferewithpedestrianmovementon

sidewalkswhen

there

are

other

items

blocking

the

right

of

way

such

as

poles.

Further

discussion

could

helpfindabalancethatpromotesbusinesscommunicationwhilemakingcommercialareasinviting.


16/26


Safeandpeacefulneighborhoods

InAltadenasneighborhoods,residentsseeksafetyfromcrime,

hazards,andnuisancesthatimpactqualityoflife.Community

memberscherishthesenseofquietandpeaceinAltadena,and

valuegoodneighborswhotakecareoftheirproperties.

GuidingPrinciples Promotesafetyfromcrime,speeding,andhazards Improveappearanceofneighborhoods Improvecommercialareasadjacenttoneighborhoods

KeyTopicstoAddress Safety Liquorstores Noise

SafetyBackground

AnumberofneighborhoodassociationsandNeighborhood

WatchgroupsareactiveinAltadena.TheAltadenaCoalitionof

NeighborhoodAssociations(ACONA),formedin2010,serves

asaforumforthesegroupstonetworkandshareideasand

bestpractices.


CrimeAlthoughatleasttwoWorkshop1participantssaid

thatthefeelingofsafetywasoneofthethingstheyvalued

about

Altadena,

several

others

brought

up

safety

as

a

concern,

includingchallengeswiththeft,burglary,drugs,guns,andgang

activity. AgroupinWorkshop2identifiedcrimeasapriority

issueforneighborhoods.

EmergencycommunicationCommunitycommunicationwas

broughtupasageneralareaforimprovement,notjustinthe

contextofemergencies. Participantsalsocitedspottycell

phonecoverageasasafetyissue.

SpeedingThiswasraisedasanissueforneighborhoodsandis

aKeyTopicdiscussedinanothersectionofthisreport(see

Opportunitiesfor

walking,

biking,

hiking,

riding,

and

play).


EncouragemoreNeighborhoodWatchactivityandencourageneighborhoodblockpartiesasopportunities

forneighborstoworktogetheronaprojectandgetto

knoweachotherbetter.

VisioningQuotes

Neighborhoodsarefriendlyand

relativelysafe

Treasure,

Workshop

1

IwanttofeelSAFEwalkingatnight/

leavingthehouseIwantAltadena

theft/robberydown!

Challenge,Workshop1

GangsChallenge,Workshop1

Betterstreetlighting,neighborhood

watches,safetyforallcitizens&visitors

Signals

of

Success,

Group

Discussion,

Workshop1

WellkepthomesVision,Workshop1

Asafeneighborhoodtoraiseyourchild

Vision,Workshop1

Quietneighborhoodwherepeoplefeel

comfortablewalking

Vision,

Workshop

1


17/26


Installsecuritycamerastemporarilyinareasexperiencingnewseriouscriminalactivity,asarovinggroupofsilentwatchdogsinthecommunity.

Improvestreetlighting. Setupareverse911systemforcommunicationsaboutmajoremergencies.

Considerations

BecausecommunitymembersalsovaluethedarknightskiesinAltadena,thisshouldbea

considerationwhen

installing

street

lighting.

Los

Angeles

County

has

implemented

an

emergency

massnotificationsystemthatwillbeusedtocontactCountyresidentsandbusinessesviarecorded

phonemessages,textmessagesoremailmessagesincaseofemergency.Moreinformationis

availableaboutAlertLACountyatalert.lacounty.gov.Whilesomecommunitymembersdesirebettercellphonecoverage,othershaveopposedthe

installationofmorecelltowers. Aestheticsandmaintainingviewsshouldbeconsiderationsforany

proposedwirelesstelecommunicationfacilities.

LiquorstoresBackground

TheAltadenaCoalitionofNeighborhoodAssociations(ACONA)hostedameetingin2011which

addressedliquorstoreregulation.Inthismeeting,arepresentativeoftheCaliforniaDepartmentof

AlcoholicBeverageControlsharedstatisticsshowingthatAltadenahasalowernumberofliquorstores

perpersonthanPasadenaandothercommunities(ACONAlooksatfilming,liquorstores,andcoyotes

atTuesdaynight'smeeting,Altdenablog,August10,2011).However,thatstatisticisforthe

communityasawholeanddoesnotofferanyinformationaboutthelocationsofstoreswithinthe

community.


NumberandconcentrationofstoresResidentshaveexpressedconcernsaboutthenumberand

concentrationofliquorstoresinAltadena,dueinparttoundesirableactivitiesthattakeplacearound

thosestoressuchasdrugdealingandfights.


Limitthenumberorconcentrationofliquorstores;consideramoratorium. Restrictoperatinghours,discourageloitering,andrequirestorestoprovidesecurity. Explorewaystoencouragenewusestoreplaceexistingstores.

Considerations

Giventhedesireforadditionalgroceryretailandnegativecommunitysentimentaboutliquorstores,

thereisapossiblewinwinsituationifsomeliquorstorescanbepersuadedtoconverttheiroperations

intocornergrocerystores.Financialincentivesrelatedtofoodaccessandhealthmaybeavailableto

assistin

this

conversion.

NoiseBackground

NoiseisanissuethathascomeupinAltadenaCoalitionofNeighborhoodAssociations(ACONA)

forums.


18/26



NuisancenoiseInthevisioningprocess,concernswereraisedaboutnuisancenoisefrombarking,leaf

blowers,music,andnearbynonresidentialusessuchasschools,parks,andcommercialareaswith

specialeventsincludingnoiseatnight.


Limitdays/hoursforleafbloweruse,andmandateelectricblowers. AnOjaiordinanceprovidesapossiblemodel;itlimitshoursto8am 6pmandprohibitsgasblowersinresidentialzones.

TheCityofLosAngelesprohibitstheuseofgaspoweredblowerswithin500feetofresidences.

Limithoursformusicinparksandotherpublicareasnearneighborhoods. Adoptanordinancetoaddressnuisancebarking.Beginwitheducationandtrainingforpet

owners,thenusefinesifnecessary. AnordinanceoftheCityofL.A.providesapossiblemodel.

Increaselawenforcementeffortstoaddressnuisancenoise.Considerations

Someofthecommunitysuggestionsmayhavealreadybeenaddressed;forinstance,Countyparks

havehoursofoperationafterwhichanyuseisnotallowed,includingactivitiesthatmakenoise.


19/26


Communitycohesionandstronginstitutions

ResidentsvaluethesenseoffreedominAltadenaandattitude

ofliveandletlive,whilealsovaluingthesmalltownfeel,

goodneighbors,andtheotherpeoplewhogetinvolvedin

communityaffairs.Workshopparticipantsspokeupfor

communityinstitutionsincludingschools,thelibrary,and

seniorcenter.

Participants

expressed

the

desire

for

greater

communitycohesionbetweentheeastandwestsides,

betweencommunityleaders,andbetweenneighborsinboth

residentialandcommercialareas.

GuidingPrinciples Promoteneighborliness Supportthelibraryandseniorcenterascommunity

hubs

MaintaincommunicationbetweenCountyandcommunitymembers

Maintaincooperativecommunityrelationshipswithlawenforcement

Valuesmalltowncharacterandfosteracultureofgoodneighbors

Supportcommunityschoolswithcommunityservicesashubsforneighborhoods

CoordinatejointuseofpublicfacilitiesandsharedservicesbetweenPUSDschoolsandCounty

ImprovecommunicationwithinAltadena Encouragevolunteerismandcommunityinvolvement Provideresourcesandopportunitiesforseniorsand

youth

KeyTopicstoAddress Communityinstitutions Codecomplaints Communityinvolvementandconsensus

CommunityinstitutionsBackground

CountyfacilitiesinAltadenaincludeaCommunityCenterthatis

usedforTownCouncilmeetingsandasofficeandmeeting

spacefor

several

nonprofit

organizations,

as

well

as

asenior

center. Thereisalibrarythatissupportedbyitsown

independentdistrict,whichhasamainlocationbythesenior

centerandabranchbyCharlesWhitePark. Thelibraryis

seekingtomakephysicalimprovementsthatareneededfor

safetyandADAcompliance,andwouldbenefitfromadditional

parkingspaces.

VisioningQuotes

Communitysupport&neighborliness

peoplelend

ahelping

hand

&

say

hello

Treasure,Workshop1

CrankyactivistsTreasure,Challenge,

andVision,Workshop1

Neighborhoodunitsorganizedfor:

parties,neighborhoodwatch,CERT

disasterVision,Workshop1

Iwouldknowmyneighborsevenbetter

workingon

projects

&

having

parties

regularlyVision,Workshop1

Thelibraryisgreat!

Treasure,Workshop1

Communitysendingkidstopublic/local

schoolsVision,Workshop1


20/26


PublicK12schoolsinAltadenaarewithinthePasadenaUnifiedSchoolDistrict,whichrecentlyclosed

twoelementaryschoolsinAltadena.ConcernsaboutschoolshaveledtotheformationofanEducation

CommitteewhichisreportingtotheTownCouncil.


LibraryBecausetheyvaluethelibrary,communitymemberswantimprovementstobefunded.

SchoolsCommunitymemberscitedconcernsaboutschoolclosures,quality,andsafety.Theyhope

formorecommunityconnectionwithpublicschools.


Offeravarietyofservicesthroughschoolsthatsupportchildrenandtheirfamilies. Developandstrengthenpartnerships. EngagethecommunityatlargeandCountySupervisorineducationoversightandsupport. Providestaffedschoollibraries,artseducation,andresourcesforstudenthealth. Deployretiredteachersastutors. Developjointuseagreementstomakeschoolgroundsavailableforcommunityrecreation

whennot

in

use

by

schools,

and

to

make

community

facilities

available

for

school

use.

Considerations

Thelibraryisoperatedbyitsowndistrictwhichprovidesfunding,andthusisnotunderthejurisdiction

oftheCounty. However,theCountycouldassistinthelibrarysimprovementeffortsbyfacilitatingthe

permittingprocess.

CodecomplaintsBackground

EnforcementofthezoningcodeisareactiveprocessinwhichtheCountyrespondstocomplaintsthat

are

registered.

These

complaints

may

be

registered

by

anyone,

and

the

County

keeps

that

persons

informationconfidential.


UseofcomplaintprocessCommunitymembersareconcernedaboutincidentsofanonymouscode

complaintswhichappeartoberegisteredforvindictivepurposesratherthanstemmingfromlegitimate

concerns(dubbedcodebombing),andaboutindividualssubmittingexcessivenumbersofcomplaints.


Provideaprocesstoresolveconflictsbeforetheyescalateintocodeviolationcomplaints. Revisethecomplaintprocesstodiscourageexcessivecoderelatedcomplaintsfromasingle

anonymousindividual.

Proactivelyenforcethezoningcoderatherthanrelyingoncommunitycomplaints.Considerations

Limitingtheabilitytomakecomplaintsaboutcodeviolationsmayconflictwithothercommunity

membersdesirestoseemorecodeenforcementefforts.


21/26


CommunityinvolvementandconsensusIssuesIdentifiedbyCommunity

CommunicationandinvolvementTopromoteinvolvementincivicaffairsandcommunityevents,

someresidentsfeelthatmorecommunicationisneededaboutmattersthataffectthemor

opportunitiestoparticipate.

Lackof

consensus

Some

people

voiced

concerns

about

alack

of

community

consensus

about

where

thecommunityshouldbeheaded,orafeelingthatasmallgroupcouldderaileffortswithlarger

communitybenefits.OneWorkshop1participantlistedcrankyactivistsasatreasureofAltadena,a

visionforthefuture,andachallenge. AlthoughAltadenaisfortunatetohavecommunitymembers

whocareenoughtogetinvolvedincivicaffairs,differentgroupsmaysometimesworkatcross

purposes.


CreateamechanismforsendingannouncementsfromtheTownCouncilsuchasacommunitywideemaildatabase.

CouncilshouldadopttheBrownActtoensurefairandopenmeetings. Createcommunicationtoolstobetterconnectresidentswithgovernment. Suggestionsincludeahotlineforreportinggraffiti,parkingviolations,andcodeviolations;andanAltadenaappfor

smartphones.

Offermorecommunityevents,inparks,intown/districtcenters,ontemporarilyclosedstreets. Encourageneighborhoodblockpartiesasopportunitiesforneighborstoworktogetherona

projectandgettoknoweachotherbetter.

Considerations

Agraffitihotlineat(800)6754357allowsLosAngelesCountyresidentstoreportgraffititothe

DepartmentofPublicWorks.


22/26


Opportunitiesforwalking,biking,hiking,riding,andplay

Giventheirappreciationforthemountains,itisnotsurprising

thatcommunitymembersexpressedthedesireformore

opportunitiestoenjoytheoutdoorsonfoot,bike,and

horseback. Theyalsowanttousethesemodesof

transportationtosafelygetaroundtown,inconjunctionwith

transitservice

that

supports

the

ability

to

travel

without

acar.

Participantslistedparksascommunitytreasuresandhave

hopesformorerecreationalactivitiesandfacilities.

GuidingPrinciples ProvideandmaintainpathwaysthroughoutAltadena

forsafetravelonfoot,bike,andhorseback

Promotesafesharingofstreetsbetweenpeopleusingdifferentmodesoftransportation

ReconnecttheAltadenaCrestTrailandprovidemorepublicaccesspoints

Encourageexpandedtransitservice Providedisabledaccesstopublicfacilitiesand

commercialareas

ExpandrecreationfacilitiesandactivitiesKeyTopicstoAddress

Speeding Infrastructureforwalking,biking,riding Recreationfacilitiesandactivities

SpeedingBackground

Speedingisaconcerninmanycommunities,butthesloped

north/southstreetsofAltadenamayfacilitatespeeding

downhill.Speedingnegativelyimpactsthefeelingofsafetyin

neighborhoods;makesitlessappealingtowalk,bike,orridea

horseonthestreet;andchallengespedestriansattemptingto

crossstreetsincommercialareas,includingschoolchildren.


SpeedingSpeedingtrafficinneighborhoodsandin

commercialareasmakespeoplefeelunsafewhencrossingor

walkingalong

the

street.

Locations

where

speeding

was

cited

asanissue:majornorth/southstreets;MarengoAvenue

betweenLomaAltaDriveandAltadenaDrive;LakeAvenue;

trafficcomingoutofLaVina;WindsorAvenue;andChaney

TrailnearAlzadaDrive.

VisioningQuotes

Safetyissuesforchildrenwhomustwalk

toschool

on

streets

with

no

sidewalks

+

speedingcarsChallenge,Workshop1

Acommunitywhereneighborswalkedto

theshops,stores&parksslowertraffic

Challenge,Workshop1

RoadrepairChallenge,Workshop1

PublictransportationtoMeadows,to

topofLake,etc.

Challenge,Workshop1

Bicyclefriendlycommunity

Vision,Workshop1

LomaAltaParkisfantastic

playground,pool,baseball,equestrian,

garden,tennis,etc.

Treasure,Workshop1

Morecommunity

activities

in

Farnsworth

ParkVision,Workshop1

Moreparks&recreationfacilities

Challenge,Workshop1


23/26



Usetrafficcontrolandcalmingdevicesaroundneighborhoodssuchasstopsigns,roundabouts,andspeedbumps,andenforcespeedlimitsmoreaggressively.

Usestreetscaperedesignincommercialareastoslowtraffic(seeStreetscapeImprovementstopic).

Considerations

Somecommunity

members

do

not

feel

that

traffic

calming

devices

should

be

apriority

for

public

investment.

Infrastructureforwalking,biking,ridingBackground

InfrastructureforwalkingThepresenceofsidewalksvariesfromneighborhoodtoneighborhood

withinAltadena. Commercialareashavesidewalks;however,thewidestreetsandcarsspeeding

downhillcandiscouragepeoplefromwantingtocrossthestreet. Fewtreesoffershadeintheseareas.

InfrastructureforbikingTheCountyofLosAngelesadoptedaBicycleMasterPlaninMarch2012,

whichshows

anetwork

of

proposed

bikeways

through

Altadena

as

well

as

the

segments

of

existing

bike

routesinthesoutheasternpartofthecommunity. ThesesegmentsonAllenAvenue,Washington

Boulevard,AltadenaDrive,andNewYorkDriveareevidentlytheonlydesignatedonstreetbike

facilitiesinAltadena.

InfrastructureforhorsebackridingHorsekeepingisallowedthroughoutAltadenaforpropertiesofa

certainsize;morehorsesareallowedonpropertieswithintheAltadenaEquestrianDistrictinwest

Altadena. LomaAltaParkhasanequestrianarenaandtherearecommercialstableslocatedinthispart

ofthecommunityaswell. Horsesandtheirriderssharetheroadwithotherusersontheirwaytonature

trailssuchastheoneaccessedatthewestendofAltadenaDrive,anothernorthoftheLomaAltaarena,

andChaneyTrail.

IssuesIdentifiedbyCommunityExistinginfrastructureCommunitymemberssawtheneedformoredesignatedbikelanesand

sidewalksinAltadena.

PedestriancrossingsResidentssaidthatpedestriancrossingsincommercialareasaredifficultand

alsoidentifiedthefollowingpedestriancrossingsashavingissues:FairOaksAvenueandHarrietStreet

intersection,andAltadenaDriveandHollistonAvenueintersection. Residentsalsosaidthatthe

trail/streetintersectionaroundtheVillaZanitabridgeonLincolnAvenuedidnotmaketrailusersvisible

enoughtodrivers.

TransitservicelimitationsCommunitymemberslistedshortcomingsofthecurrenttransitservice

suchas

the

infrequent

nighttime

service

and

lack

of

service

north

of

Altadena

Drive

on

Lake

Avenue.


Createacoordinatedmasterplanforbikes,pedestrians,andequestriansthatidentifiesdesiredroutesandfacilitiesforthesemodesoftransportation.Themasterplanshouldseekto

integratethelocalnetworkofbikepathswithadjacentcitiesandplannedroutesintheCounty

BicycleMasterPlan.


24/26


Providebikeracksatbusinesses,schools,parks,andtrailheads. Suggestedlocations:alongLincolnAvenuebetweenWoodburyandAltadena;onFairOaksinthevicinityofMendocino

StreetandMariposaStreet;andonLakeAvenuesouthofAltadenaDrive,atMariposaStreet,

andatCalaverasStreet.

Providemoresidewalksinbusinessdistrictsandensurepedestrianaccessonexistingsidewalks. Provideforsafepedestrianandequestriancrossings.Suggestion:Installblinkingcrosswalkson

majorstreetssuchasFairOaksAvenue,AltadenaDrive,LakeAvenue,andLincolnAvenue.

ExpandcommunitywideandintercommunitybusservicetoserveAltadena,andimprovetransitstopswithclean,shelteredbenches. Suggestion:ProvideconnectiontoDelMarstation

fromAltadena/FairOaks.

Providelocaltransitfortown/districtcenterssuchasstreetcar,trolley,shuttle,orhorsedrawnwagon.

Providedirthorsetrailsalongroads,forinstancealongLincolnwherethereappearstobeexcessrightofway.

Removehorsemanurefrompublicareas,withhorseownerspayingfortheservice.Suggestion:Contractwithsolidwasteserviceprovider.

Workwithpropertyownerstoeliminateencroachmentsintoroadwayrightofwaythatcouldbeusedfortrails.

RecreationfacilitiesandactivitiesBackground

PublicparksinAltadenaconsistofCountyownedCharlesS.FarnsworthPark,LomaAltaPark,Charles

WhitePark,andtheAltadenaGolfCourse.Otherrecreationfacilitiesexistonschoolgroundsandon

privateproperty,butmaynotbeaccessibletothepublic. Therearenaturalparksoneithersideof

AltadenaaswellasAngelesNationalForestland.


MorerecreationopportunitiesResidentsaskedformorerecreationfacilities,communityevents,and

activitiesinparks.


ExpandFarnsworthParkbydevelopingtheplotnexttothepark,whilepreservingoaktrees.Createacommunitycenterbuilding,tenniscenter,andoffleashdogpark.

Offermorecommunityactivitiesandevents,includingeventsatparksandstreetfairs. Convertunusedorvacantlotsintosmallneighborhoodpocketparkssuchasdogparks,

meditationparks,andotherspotsforgatheringandrecreation.

Increaseactivityandsafetyatparksbyprovidingmorestaffandofferingfreeclassesandleagueplay.

ConsideroptionsforanewparkinAltadena.Onesuggestedlocation:EastofLakeAvenue. Usevacantlotsforcommunitygardens.

Considerations

ParticipantswhomadethesuggestiontoexpandFarnsworthParkwereundertheimpressionthatthe

adjacentplotispubliclyowned.However,itisprivatelyowned.


25/26


GoingForward

Thisvisionreportisastartingpointforcommunity

discussionandaction,notanend.Thereareunresolved

differencesofopinionabouthowtomaintainthethings

thatpeopleloveaboutthecommunityandhowtomake

improvements,includingdifferentideasaboutthetypes

ofregulation

that

are

appropriate.

However,

some

potentialnextstepscanbeidentified.

Communitymembersindicatedsupportforthefollowinginitiatives:

AnupdateoftheCommunityStandardsDistrict,especiallytoaddressissueswithparking;

Increasingaccesstoparkingintown/districtcentersthroughmanagementofexistingspaces

and/oradditionalpublicspaces;

Streetimprovementstosupportpeoplewalking,biking,andhorsebackriding,especiallyto

promotewalkingintown/districtcenters;

ChangestoCountyprocesses,suchascodeenforcement,anddevelopmentreviewinareas

alongAltadenaCrestTrail;

Creationofcommunityhubsorcenters,whetherthesearetown/districtcenters,schools,other

publicfacilities,orcommunityevents.

CountyInvolvement

AsstatedintheIntroduction,thisdocumentwillserveas

astartingpointforanyfutureCountyplanningefforts

thatmaybeundertakenwhenfundingandresources

becomeavailable. Althoughtherehavebeennostaffor

resourcecommitmentsforsucheffortsinthenearterm,

theCountyofLosAngeleshasdemonstratedaninterest

inlearningcommunitymembersaspirationsfor

AltadenabyconductingthisCommunityVisioning

Process.Withabetterunderstandingofwhatis

importantto

Altadena

residents,

the

County

can

be

a

betteradvocateforAltadenasinterests.


26/26

CommunityInvolvement

Thecapacityofthecommunitytocarryoutsuggestionsmadeinthevisioningprocessmaybelimited

bythelackofstaffandotherresources. TheTownCouncilisnotabodyforgovernanceor

implementation,butratherthecommunityselectedrepresentativeswhogatherpublicopinionand

speakforAltadenasinterestsbymakingrecommendationstotheBoardofSupervisorsoftheCounty

ofLosAngeles.CommunityorganizationsinAltadenatendnottohavetheirowndedicatedstaff,but

relyinstead

on

the

efforts

of

volunteers.

However,thepeopleofAltadenahavedemonstratedtheirpassionforthisspecialplaceandtheir

willingnesstorolluptheirsleevestomakeitbetter. Followingaresomeofthelocalorganizationsthat

maybeinterestedinpursuingsuggestionsfromthevisioningprocess,iftheyarenotalreadydoingso.

Theyarelistedhereaspotentialresources.

AltadenaBicyclingClub AltadenaCoalitionofNeighborhood

Associations(ACONA)

AltadenaCommunityCenter AltadenaCrestTrailRestoration

WorkingGroup

AltadenaHeritage AltadenaHistoricalSociety AltadenaLibraryDistrict AltadenaSeniorCenter

ArroyoSecoFoundation ArroyosandFoothillsConservancy ChamberofCommerce PasadenaUnifiedSchoolDistrict&

Schools

TownCouncil TownCouncilBeautificationCommittee TownCouncilEducationCommittee TownCouncilLandUseCommittee

DRAFT Vision Report 6-5-2012

Documents

Transcript of DRAFT Vision Report 6-5-2012