PARTICIPATE PASADENA
PARTICIPATE PASADENA is a community engagement initiative of Pasadena Heritage. Extending from our organization’s work to identify and preserve historic neighborhoods and buildings, this initiative aims to connect with residents and capture their concerns about and ideas for Pasadena’s built environment and community character in general.
Kick-Off Meeting (September 19, 2017)
Pasadena Heritage was very pleased to welcome more than 130 residents to its kick-off PARTICIPATE PASADENA meeting. After a brief introduction, attendees chose one of four discussion groups and offered comments and questions to the facilitators. Many participants visited more than one break-out group, and comments were recorded in each session’s notes. All input was documented and shard with City Council and other decision-makers. The following information on the City’s commissions was shared at the kick off meeting and is available here for your reference.
Notes from the kick-off meeting are available here.
Second Meeting (March 14, 2018)
About 100 local residents turned out for the second PARTICIPATE PASADENA meeting. They came to learn more about two important planning efforts underway at the City – the study of eight Specific Plan areas and new standards for single-family homes to address what’s known as Mansionization. Questions and comments from the audience were welcomed after each presentation.
Urban planning expert Steve Preston, FAICP introduced the topic of Specific Plans, explaining what these are and what they will cover, as well as how they fall under the over-arching policies of the City’s General Plan. City planners and consultants are holding open houses around Pasadena where residents can learn more and make their concerns and questions known.
Pasadena Heritage Executive Director Sue Mossman spoke about the impacts of new homes that are too big, too tall, or architecturally incompatible with the surrounding neighborhood. Several examples were used to illustrate the problems. The City is currently drafting new guidelines for single-family construction to address the issues, which will be ready for public review by summer. Audience members contributed other examples and asked questions including how Landmark Districts can best protect neighborhood character.
Notes from the second meeting are available here.
PARTICIPATE PASADENA Survey
In late 2017, Pasadena Heritage created an anonymous online survey to determine what local residents love most and like least about Pasadena. The survey closed on February 28, 2018, and the results were tabulated for presentation at the second PARTICIPATE PASADENA meeting. The results of the survey are in and can be downloaded here. As you will see the majority of respondents indicated that they care most about historic resources!
Survey results will be used to help Pasadena Heritage develop future programs and provide feedback to City decision-makers.
Third PARTICIPATE PASADENA Meeting (TBD)
The PARTICIPATE PASADENA Committee is considering what our next meeting topic(s) should be and when the next meeting will be scheduled.
How to Stay Involved
Watch this page for announcements of future meetings or participation opportunities. The Pasadena Heritage e-news will also include information. Mailings or special e-blasts will be used to announce future programs.
The City has launched a website (Our Pasadena) to share information and updates on Specific Plans. Please visit the website (www.ourpasadena.org) and sign up for email updates and connect on social media. Additionally, starting in May, the City will be hosting a series of eight workshops, each focusing on a Specific Plan area. Whether you are a resident of a certain Specific Plan area or just want to learn more, Pasadena Heritage encourages you to attend the workshops that interest you. More information is available on the Our Pasadena website and on Pasadena Heritage’s website here: www.pasadenaheritage.org/advocacy
