Altadena Reimagined: Community Leads Post-Fire Recovery
Following the devastating Eaton fire, Altadenans are actively shaping the future of their public, civic, and commercial spaces. A recent community open house, part of the “Let’s Think Big Together” initiative, has gathered crucial input, revealing strong local aspirations for a resilient and community-driven recovery.
A Community Comes Together to Rebuild
The recovery effort extends beyond individual homes, focusing on the broader fabric of Altadena. Spearheaded by Altadena Steadfast, in collaboration with Altadena Heritage and Los Angeles County Regional Planning and Public Works, this initiative aims to create a shared vision for the community’s revitalization. Urban design and landscape architecture firm SWA has even donated professional services, customizing a community-based design process.
Shaping Altadena’s Unique Identity
Nature, Quiet, and Local Appeal
The first round of data from over 300 participants clearly highlights “NATURE” and “QUIET” as Altadena’s defining values, appearing twice as prominently as “Community,” “Creativity,” and “Diversity.” This underscores a desire to preserve the area’s natural beauty and serene environment amidst redevelopment efforts.
A Vision for Local Commerce and Mobility
When envisioning “Altadena as a Destination,” residents expressed strong support for small businesses, local shopping, and more restaurants, while firmly pushing back against large developers and big box stores. The need for improved parking solutions was also a consistent theme.
Perhaps most surprisingly, community input revealed a strong desire for a less car-dependent Altadena. A significant 42% of respondents favored walking, 20% biking, 16% public transit, and a charming 12% even preferred horseback riding as their favorite ways to get around. Only 7% cited automobiles, expressing a clear aspiration for more sidewalks and urban trails connecting neighborhoods and commercial zones. However, specific caveats like “No sidewalks north of Altadena Drive!!!” show the nuances of local preferences.
Learning from the Past, Planning for the Future
This visioning process isn’t Altadena’s first rodeo. The article highlights the successful Lincoln/Woodbury redevelopment, which, decades in the making, saw a developer adhere to community-set guidelines for a traditional, tree-lined business district with pedestrian-friendly sidewalks and discreet parking. This historical precedent proves that unified community input can effectively guide development.
Altadena now faces a similar challenge, albeit on a larger scale and under the pressure of post-fire recovery. County leadership is paying full attention, and it’s up to the community to articulate clear guidelines for what they want and don’t want. Achieving 100% consensus is unlikely, but agreement on broad principles is essential for a legitimate and equitable outcome.
Your Voice Matters: Get Involved!
This is just the beginning of a broader outreach effort. Community members are encouraged to participate in upcoming sessions to help solidify a shared vision for Altadena’s future.
- What prompted this community planning initiative?
The devastating Eaton fire created a critical need to rebuild and redefine Altadena’s public, civic, and commercial spaces. - What are Altadenans’ top values for their community?
Nature and quiet were overwhelmingly identified as core values, followed by community, creativity, and diversity. - How do residents prefer to get around Altadena?
A large majority prefer walking, biking, public transit, or even horseback riding over using automobiles, signaling a desire for more walkable and accessible neighborhoods. - What kind of businesses does the community want?
Residents strongly support small, local businesses and more restaurants, while resisting big box stores and large-scale developers. - How can I get involved in the planning?
The next Altadena Steadfast Community Workshop is on Sunday, November 16, from 2 to 4 p.m. at the Collaboratory, 540 West Woodbury Road. RSVP at altadenasteadfast.org.
Altadena’s future depends on sustained community engagement. By actively participating in these crucial planning efforts, residents can ensure the recovery truly reflects the shared values and aspirations of their unique town.
Altadena Community Shapes Post Fire Future
