PASADENA COMMUNITY INVITED TO HELP DESIGN LAND USE AND MOBILITY PLANS

A community charrette is the next step in Pasadena’s General Plan update beginning with a 6:30 p.m. kick-off Monday, Nov. 8, during the Pasadena City Council meeting in room S249 at City Hall 

A charrette is a multiple-day, collaborative workshop that harnesses the talents and energies of everyone interested in creating and supporting a plan that represents transformative community change. 

The kick-off Monday evening will include an overview of the charrette process, review of community themes that will guide the plans, and discussion of planning challenges such as economic development, environmental sustainability and state housing law. 

The charrette will continue Thursday through Saturday, Nov. 11 to 13, in Building CC at Pasadena City College where the General Plan Update Advisory Committee, city commissioners and city staff will work all day each day to draft alternatives that address land use and mobility issues raised by the community during 2009 outreach events and September 2010 workshops. 

The community is welcome to observe the team’s work each day beginning at 9 a.m. Each evening, the day’s work will be presented to the public for comment during an open house beginning at 5:30 p.m. Graphics and computer modeling will illustrate plan alternatives, and staff will make brief presentations at 6:30 p.m. highlighting refinements to the alternatives as they evolve. 

“Over this intensive, three-day session, the General Plan Update Advisory Committee, city commissioners and city staff will work together to translate community interests and concerns into planning maps and diagrams that illustrate how Pasadena should grow and change, 
where buildings and natural open space should be located, and how we can prioritize clean and simple travel into the next decade,” said Stephanie DeWolfe, deputy director of the Pasadena Planning Department. 

Following the charrette, detailed analysis will be conducted on how the alternatives would affect traffic, the economy, the environment and more. The draft alternatives and the analysis of impacts will be presented to the community for selection of a preferred alternative in spring 2011. 

Building CC is located in the northwest area of the PCC campus near Colorado Boulevard. Parking will be available for $2 in PCC lot 3 or 4 at Hill Avenue and Del Mar Boulevard. 

Learn more about the charrette at www.cityofpasadena.net/generalplan or call 744-6807.