The Pasadena Unified School District Board of Education voted to consider proposals and enter negotiations to develop property at the former Linda Vista Elementary School site amid a chorus of concern to save the site’s park space.
The resolution, which passed in a 5-2 vote, authorized staff to begin negotiating an exclusive negotiating agreement with a preferred developer with an amendment to preserve the existing park at its current location and size. It does not approve a final project or any site plans.
Trustees Jennifer Hall Lee and Michelle Richardson Bailey voted no.
“This is an early step in a much longer process, and we want our community engaged at every stage,” PUSD Superintendent Dr. Elizabeth Blanco said in a statement. “Before any agreement comes back to the Board for a public vote, families and neighbors will have continued opportunities to ask questions, share their priorities for the site, and help shape what comes next. We encourage everyone in our community to stay involved.”
But a key flashpoint was the park.
A presentation from CBRE Capital Markets included an overview of the final developer proposals submitted to the district. Public comments did not hold back on critiquing the draft plans, which are subject to change with further community engagement, project refinement, city entitlement review and environmental review.
The site at 1259 Linda Vista Ave. has been closed as a school for many years. PUSD has been evaluating joint occupancy opportunities to retain ownership of the property while generating revenue through a development partnership.
Several trustees and members of the public voiced connections to a proposal for tree removal due to soil contamination from wildfires, which has faced opposition. As trustees deliberated, a couple emphasized the opportunity to “get it right” from the start, in comparison to the tree-removal issue.
Trustee Yarma Velázquez moved to approve the resolution while making an amendment to include direction that would preserve the existing park footprint in its existing location and size.
“We need this process to work as an example of a successful collaboration moving forward,” Velázquez.
Blanco said the district is listening.
“We heard our community loud and clear about keeping the Linda Vista School site park in place, and about making sure overall density is addressed thoughtfully,” Blanco said. “The vote includes a requirement that the park remain at its current location and size, and community input will continue to guide us as this process moves forward. Before any agreement comes back to the Board for a public vote, families and neighbors will have continued opportunities to ask questions, share their priorities, and help shape what comes next.”
Thursday’s meeting was streamed live on the KLRN Pasadena YouTube channel.
For more information, visit the district’s asset management website at pusd.us/amp.