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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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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.
CommunitySuggestions
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.
IssuesIdentifiedbyCommunity
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.
CommunitySuggestions
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.
CommunitySuggestions
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.
IssuesIdentifiedbyCommunity
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
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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).
CommunitySuggestions
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.
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IssuesIdentifiedbyCommunity
ParkingrequirementsThecostandprocessingtimeforobtainingaconditionalusepermitare
prohibitive. AtWorkshop2,acommunitymemberwrote,Untilparkingrestrictionsareresolvednew
businesseslikerestaurantscannotopen. GroupsinWorkshop2saidthataddressingtheissueof
parkingshouldbeapriority.
CommunitySuggestions
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.
IssuesIdentifiedbyCommunity
PedestriansafetyCommercialareasarenotcomfortableforpedestrians,andcrossingstreetsinfront
ofdownhilltrafficcanfeelunsafe.
StreetparkingCurrentparallelparkingonstreetsdoesnotprovideasufficientnumberofspaces(see
Parkingtopic).
CommunitySuggestions
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.
IssuesIdentifiedbyCommunity
SignregulationsAltadena businessesfindthecurrentregulationstoorestrictive.Theywouldlike
morefreedomtopromotetheirbusiness,includingtheuseofsandwichboardsandothertemporary
signstoadvertiseeventssuchassales.
BillboardsSeveral billboardsremaininAltadena,includingbillboardsthatarenotbeingmaintained.
CommunitySuggestions
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.
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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.
IssuesIdentifiedbyCommunity
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).
CommunitySuggestions
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
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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.
IssuesIdentifiedbyCommunity
NumberandconcentrationofstoresResidentshaveexpressedconcernsaboutthenumberand
concentrationofliquorstoresinAltadena,dueinparttoundesirableactivitiesthattakeplacearound
thosestoressuchasdrugdealingandfights.
CommunitySuggestions
Limitthenumberorconcentrationofliquorstores;consideramoratorium. Restrictoperatinghours,discourageloitering,andrequirestorestoprovidesecurity. Explorewaystoencouragenewusestoreplaceexistingstores.
Considerations
Giventhedesireforadditionalgroceryretailandnegativecommunitysentimentaboutliquorstores,
thereisapossiblewinwinsituationifsomeliquorstorescanbepersuadedtoconverttheiroperations
intocornergrocerystores.Financialincentivesrelatedtofoodaccessandhealthmaybeavailableto
assistin
this
conversion.
NoiseBackground
NoiseisanissuethathascomeupinAltadenaCoalitionofNeighborhoodAssociations(ACONA)
forums.
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IssuesIdentifiedbyCommunity
NuisancenoiseInthevisioningprocess,concernswereraisedaboutnuisancenoisefrombarking,leaf
blowers,music,andnearbynonresidentialusessuchasschools,parks,andcommercialareaswith
specialeventsincludingnoiseatnight.
CommunitySuggestions
Limitdays/hoursforleafbloweruse,andmandateelectricblowers. AnOjaiordinanceprovidesapossiblemodel;itlimitshoursto8am 6pmandprohibitsgasblowersinresidentialzones.
TheCityofLosAngelesprohibitstheuseofgaspoweredblowerswithin500feetofresidences.
Limithoursformusicinparksandotherpublicareasnearneighborhoods. Adoptanordinancetoaddressnuisancebarking.Beginwitheducationandtrainingforpet
owners,thenusefinesifnecessary. AnordinanceoftheCityofL.A.providesapossiblemodel.
Increaselawenforcementeffortstoaddressnuisancenoise.Considerations
Someofthecommunitysuggestionsmayhavealreadybeenaddressed;forinstance,Countyparks
havehoursofoperationafterwhichanyuseisnotallowed,includingactivitiesthatmakenoise.
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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
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PublicK12schoolsinAltadenaarewithinthePasadenaUnifiedSchoolDistrict,whichrecentlyclosed
twoelementaryschoolsinAltadena.ConcernsaboutschoolshaveledtotheformationofanEducation
CommitteewhichisreportingtotheTownCouncil.
IssuesIdentifiedbyCommunity
LibraryBecausetheyvaluethelibrary,communitymemberswantimprovementstobefunded.
SchoolsCommunitymemberscitedconcernsaboutschoolclosures,quality,andsafety.Theyhope
formorecommunityconnectionwithpublicschools.
CommunitySuggestions
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.
IssuesIdentifiedbyCommunity
UseofcomplaintprocessCommunitymembersareconcernedaboutincidentsofanonymouscode
complaintswhichappeartoberegisteredforvindictivepurposesratherthanstemmingfromlegitimate
concerns(dubbedcodebombing),andaboutindividualssubmittingexcessivenumbersofcomplaints.
CommunitySuggestions
Provideaprocesstoresolveconflictsbeforetheyescalateintocodeviolationcomplaints. Revisethecomplaintprocesstodiscourageexcessivecoderelatedcomplaintsfromasingle
anonymousindividual.
Proactivelyenforcethezoningcoderatherthanrelyingoncommunitycomplaints.Considerations
Limitingtheabilitytomakecomplaintsaboutcodeviolationsmayconflictwithothercommunity
membersdesirestoseemorecodeenforcementefforts.
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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.
CommunitySuggestions
CreateamechanismforsendingannouncementsfromtheTownCouncilsuchasacommunitywideemaildatabase.
CouncilshouldadopttheBrownActtoensurefairandopenmeetings. Createcommunicationtoolstobetterconnectresidentswithgovernment. Suggestionsincludeahotlineforreportinggraffiti,parkingviolations,andcodeviolations;andanAltadenaappfor
smartphones.
Offermorecommunityevents,inparks,intown/districtcenters,ontemporarilyclosedstreets. Encourageneighborhoodblockpartiesasopportunitiesforneighborstoworktogetherona
projectandgettoknoweachotherbetter.
Considerations
Agraffitihotlineat(800)6754357allowsLosAngelesCountyresidentstoreportgraffititothe
DepartmentofPublicWorks.
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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.
IssuesIdentifiedbyCommunity
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
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CommunitySuggestions
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.
CommunitySuggestions
Createacoordinatedmasterplanforbikes,pedestrians,andequestriansthatidentifiesdesiredroutesandfacilitiesforthesemodesoftransportation.Themasterplanshouldseekto
integratethelocalnetworkofbikepathswithadjacentcitiesandplannedroutesintheCounty
BicycleMasterPlan.
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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.
IssuesIdentifiedbyCommunity
MorerecreationopportunitiesResidentsaskedformorerecreationfacilities,communityevents,and
activitiesinparks.
CommunitySuggestions
ExpandFarnsworthParkbydevelopingtheplotnexttothepark,whilepreservingoaktrees.Createacommunitycenterbuilding,tenniscenter,andoffleashdogpark.
Offermorecommunityactivitiesandevents,includingeventsatparksandstreetfairs. Convertunusedorvacantlotsintosmallneighborhoodpocketparkssuchasdogparks,
meditationparks,andotherspotsforgatheringandrecreation.
Increaseactivityandsafetyatparksbyprovidingmorestaffandofferingfreeclassesandleagueplay.
ConsideroptionsforanewparkinAltadena.Onesuggestedlocation:EastofLakeAvenue. Usevacantlotsforcommunitygardens.
Considerations
ParticipantswhomadethesuggestiontoexpandFarnsworthParkwereundertheimpressionthatthe
adjacentplotispubliclyowned.However,itisprivatelyowned.
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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.
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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