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Pasadena Council Relocates Proposed Restroom for Desiderio Neighborhood Park
News Jul 24, 2018
The Summit Grove affordable housing project, which sits on the former site of a nuisance liquor store, was acquired by Heritage Housing Partners with $1.3 million worth of city funding. – Rendering courtesy Heritage Housing Partners
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Drawing of the Desiderio Neighborhood Park and Habitat for Humanity affordable housing project. – Courtesy photo / San Gabriel Valley Habitat for Humanity
Controversial facility was called for review after neighboring residents cited various design and safety concerns
By Gus Herrera
At their latest regular meeting, the Pasadena City Council decided to relocate a proposed restroom facility for the new Desiderio Neighborhood Park (10. N. Arroyo Blvd.), which is currently under construction.
The bathroom was originally approved by the council in 2014 as part of the overall Desiderio Park planned development, but recently came under intense scrutiny as neighboring residents cited various concerns, including the facility’s design, size, location, and cost.
The controversial restroom, which was proposed to be placed near Arroyo Boulevard, will now be located further from the street, in an area just north of a proposed “tot lot.” The finalized location is expected to be presented to the council at their Aug. 20 meeting.
Reprisal towards the restroom came swiftly – a few weeks after the facility was originally given the green light by the city’s design commission on May 8 (subject to various conditions of approval), a group of residents quickly filed an application for appeal. On that same day, Council Member Steve Madison followed up by calling the commission’s decision up for review before the full council – a request that was approved at council’s June 4 meeting.
The appeal application cited various design flaws – the applicants argued that the restroom was too large, not compatible with the surrounding neighborhood, and that its proposed location was too close to the street and nearby homes.
Ara Maloyan, director of public works, revealed that the 623-square-foot building would be located approximately 82 feet from the neighbors’ property line.
“Do we build restrooms this close to residences in Pasadena?” asked Madison.
“I think this would be the first, that I’m aware of,” responded David Reyes, director of planning and community development, who’s response was met by laughter from the numerous residents in the audience.
Neighbors also feared that the restroom would contribute to the traffic and congestion during large Rose Bowl events. Others questioned why the city is looking to spend close to a million dollars (approximately $700,000, plus design costs, according to Maloyan) on a bathroom, while voters are being asked to support a tax measure to help pay for Pasadena’s unfunded capital needs.
Although council did echo some of the residents’ concerns regarding the proposed design/scale, other potential issues related to safety took center stage.
Two of the residents who submitted the appeal application, Jeff Michael and Marci Solway, reminded council that the proposed park sits below the Colorado Street Bridge and that the city should complete the bridges’ suicide prevention measures before letting small children play in that area.
“I have to see these bodies every time they fall, from my home,” said Michael during public comment, “consider delaying this project until you [implement] the suicide prevention measures that this body has funded … are you really going to invite children to play in the same area where human bodies have fallen?”
“I have witnessed, personally, 10 suicides last year,” testified Solway, “I can’t imagine that a child who could be playing at their ‘tot lot’ could witness that and go on and live a normal life.”
When Council Member Andy Wilson asked staff to clarify the progress of the recently-approved $400,000 worth of suicide mitigation measures, Maloyan estimated that it would be about “two years, plus construction,” before the city develops any permanent solutions.
“To me the irony is palpable,” said Madison, who described the decision to place a hardscape below the bridge as “foolhardy.”
In the end it was Vice-Mayor John Kennedy who proposed a compromise to relocate the restroom and modify its hours to close around sundown (the facility was originally proposed to close at 10 p.m.).
The motion was seconded by Council Member Margaret McAustin and approved without opposition (Council Members Victor Gordo and Tyron Hampton absent). Construction on the park is expected to be completed in November of this year.
Rendering of a proposed five-story medical office building on East Colorado Boulevard (viewed from Colorado and Madison). The project will be reviewed by council in late August or early September. – Courtesy photo / Charles Company
In other council news, two more large-scale developments were revealed to be on the horizon. The first, a 112,205-square-foot, five-story medical office and retail building at 550-556 E. Colorado Blvd. was called for review by Council Member Wilson. The review is expected to be held in late August or early September.
The second development is a four-story residential care project that will provide housing for 90 seniors. The 60,000-square-foot project titled Arlington Regency Park Senior Living will be located at 995 S. Fair Oaks Ave.
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