The Pasadena City Council on Monday, Nov. 24, is set to vote on updating the North Lake Specific Plan, aiming to be the blueprint that governs development and revitalization in the area for years.
It’s got Justin Glover and his wife Erin cautiously hopeful for the area, which covers a stretch along North Lake Avenue, between Maple Street and Elizabeth Street; along East Washington Boulevard, between El Molino Avenue and Catalina Avenue; and along East Villa Street, between El Molino and Wilson Avenue.
The Glovers have seen talk for years about a revitalization in the area. This time, a plan bodes well. Other specific plans in the city include Central District, East Colorado Boulevard, East Pasadena, Fair Oaks/Orange Grove, Lamanda Park, Lincoln Avenue, South Fair Oaks and West Gateway.
Justin Glover, who with his wife sit on the Bungalow Heaven Neighborhood Association board, said he wants to see improvements on Lake Avenue and has been encouraged by the city listening to residents’ feedback about including housing into the plan while keeping the historic character of the neighborhood intact.
“The biggest concern that I would have is getting it implemented,” said Glover, who has lived in the Bungalow Heaven area since 2019. “The city has for years looked at improving North Lake … . That’s my biggest concern, is that we get this plan and we don’t see positive change.”
Through study sessions, community outreach and subcommittee recommendations, the plan lists the following community priorities for North Lake: sense of place, mixed use district, well-maintained corridor, traffic calming, managed congestion, accessible destination, sustainable district, green and creative landscaping, public art and community identity.
In North Lake, the focus has been on improving pedestrian safety, supporting development and minimizing vehicle intrusion.
Lake Avenue Church, the now vacant Kaiser Permanente property, fast food drive-thru stores and businesses centers at intersection with Washington and Orange Grove are within the plan area.
Lake Avenue’s history includes being part of the Pacific Electric street car line, which explains the more than 100-foot wide streets and large center medians, Pasadena Heritage Board Member Steve Preston said.
North Lake is surrounded by historic neighborhoods including Bungalow Heaven, Garfield Heights, Washington Square, Orange Heights and Historic Highlands.
Updating the specific plans began in 2018 with a series of open houses. A preliminary draft of the North Lake Specific Plan, originally adopted in 1997 and amended in 2007, was presented to the design commission in 2021 and the first study session with the planning commission took place in 2023.
The proposed plan seeks to promote revitalization through expanding housing opportunities and promoting economic vitality. It includes standards around residential density, building heights, setbacks and stepbacks and open space. The plan also addresses sidewalks, street trees and drive-businesses, according to a city staff report.
“It is important that the NLSP clearly spells out that there needs to be sensitivity to neighbors whose property borders any new construction and/or existing buildings and also that the neighbors are consulted if changes are being considered which would impact their privacy or home environment,” Bungalow Heaven Neighborhood Association board member Dawn O’Keeffe said in an email.
Monday’s meeting begins at 6 p.m. at City Hall. The meeting will be streamed live on Pasadena Media’s YouTube channel.