Dear Friends and Neighbors,
Chapter 2: Increased Density, Cut Back on Roads
Now that we know the City's "Vision" for developing the 710 Property, it is time to examine the thinking behind that plan. To do so, we should first address two questions:
What is the City's motivation for this project?
What urban planning philosophy appears to be guiding it?
The City's Motivation
On this subject, the City has been remarkably transparent. Publicly, City officials have stated that they want the 710 Property to become a long-term source of annual revenue, a financial asset that generates ongoing income for Pasadena.
The City has pointed to the success of Marina del Rey, one of the City of Los Angeles's largest revenue-generating public assets, as an example of what a major development can produce. The implication is clear: the 710 Property is viewed as an opportunity to increase City revenue.
From this perspective, transportation efficiency and neighborhood character appear to become secondary considerations. At the same time, one important piece of information remains absent from the public discussion: no comprehensive Traffic Simulation demonstrating the effects of this project has been presented.
New Urbanism
The planning philosophy behind this proposal appears to reflect the principles of New Urbanism.
The movement has significant Pasadena roots. In 1991, six architects were invited to Sacramento to develop a set of land-use planning principles. Among them were Pasadena architects Elizabeth Moule and Stephanos Polyzoides. Those ideas were later expanded in their 2009 publication, Canons of Sustainable Architecture and Urbanism, which outlines a vision of compact, mixed-use neighborhoods designed around an "urban village" concept.
Supporters see New Urbanism as a way to create more walkable, interconnected communities. Critics argue that, when applied aggressively, it can also lead to substantially higher residential density and increased pressure on existing infrastructure.
Many Pasadena residents would gladly support projects that generate additional City revenue if they believed the City was managing its existing resources responsibly.
A Refresher on the 710 Property Plan
The current proposal includes:
Terminating the roadway connections through the 710 Property that link California Boulevard with the 210 and 134 freeways.
Eliminating the associated freeway on-ramps and off-ramps.
Constructing a minimum of 1,800 apartments. Because the proposal specifies "a minimum," the ultimate number could exceed that figure, potentially approaching the previously discussed goal of 2,400 units or more.
Approximately 40 percent of the housing would be income-restricted or government-subsidized affordable housing.
Adding approximately 5,000 new residents to the surrounding area.
Increasing the neighborhood population by roughly 25 percent.
Adding new commercial development.
Increasing traffic throughout Pasadena, with additional congestion expected along both east-west and north-south corridors.
Constructing one additional street through the center of the property, further increasing traffic entering California Boulevard.
How the 710 Project Fits the New Urbanism Model
Several elements of the proposal closely resemble traditional New Urbanist planning principles:
Higher residential density.
A neighborhood organized around a central gathering place or transit stop.
Most homes located within a five-minute walk of neighborhood services.
A mix of housing types intended to accommodate residents with varying incomes, ages, and household sizes.
Schools and parks located within walking distance.
A connected street network intended to provide multiple routes for pedestrians, cyclists, and vehicles.
Buildings placed close to streets to create an active public realm.
Civic buildings located at prominent locations to encourage community activity.
Whether these principles ultimately improve quality of life depends on how they are implemented and how well transportation infrastructure keeps pace with increased development.
A Broader Direction?
Some residents believe the 710 Property proposal is not an isolated project but part of a broader shift in Pasadena's transportation and land-use policies.
Examples frequently cited include:
Bicycle lanes on Union Street.
The Cordova Corridor bicycle improvements.
New roundabouts combined with stop signs.
Increasing construction of multi-story buildings that create continuous street walls, producing what some residents describe as "urban canyons." Walnut Street west of Lake Avenue is often cited as an early example.
From this perspective, each individual project may appear relatively modest on its own. Together, however, they represent a gradual but significant transformation of Pasadena's transportation network and urban form.
Whether one views that transformation as progress or as a cause for concern depends largely on one's vision for Pasadena's future.
Pasadena always needs Citizens willing to provide advise and/or leadership. For any interest in either subject, please send requests to: [email protected]
Thank you,
Wes Hampton
President
Pasadena Voices LLC
Pasadena Voices
https://pasadenavoices.com
