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Duarte council debates Huntington Drive median plan, renderings and cost
Summary
Councilmembers and residents disputed the design approach, level of detail and cost for the Huntington Drive median landscape project; staff sought direction about paying roughly $8,300 for additional renderings while the larger project carries a multi‑million‑dollar construction budget.
Duarte City Council members and residents clashed over the design approach and transparency for the Huntington Drive median landscape project during a city council meeting in May 2025.
Staff presented a proposal to obtain additional design renderings of the Huntington Drive median for about $8,300 and asked the council whether to proceed. "Is that the going rate?" Councilmember Lewis asked, expressing surprise at the drawing cost. "I mean, I'm a pretty good artist. I can do it for less," he said.
Several council members and residents said the project — which council discussion placed in the multi‑million‑dollar range for construction — needed clearer and more consistent visual materials and a more transparent process. "This train has left the station," Councilmember King said, criticizing staff for moving forward without what he described as adequate detail. King urged a more uniform, tree-focused vision and said he wanted higher‑quality renderings and consistency across medians.
Other council members defended the project's drought‑tolerant plant selection and said the materials and potted plants delivered to the site matched previous council-approved designs. "I think it looks very consistent with what we all voted on," Mayor Pro Tem Martin Del Campo said.
Council discussion included concerns about cost, the sequence of approvals and whether the $8,300 rendering fee represented good value. Councilmember Lewis reiterated that he did not want to spend money for renderings on work that is already partly installed and suggested the item might be moot if the project proceeds to completion without the additional renderings.
Staff clarified the single question before the body was whether to proceed with obtaining the new renderings; the broader review of project approvals and costs would be a separate briefing if council requested it. "This item is specific to whether or not the council wants staff to move forward with obtaining the renderings for the Huntington Drive median landscape plan," City Manager staff said. Council members did not record a clear final vote on that specific rendering request during the item; one council member recommended tabling further action.
Why it matters: The median project impacts street-level appearance, water use and maintenance costs on a busy city corridor. Council members called for consistent design language, clearer public renderings and stronger process controls before final project sign-off.
What to watch: Council members asked staff to return with either the requested renderings or a fuller briefing on project approvals, cost breakdowns and the final planting plan.
