Commission recommends rezoning at 180 Blair Road but flags road improvements and traffic study

The La Verne Planning Commission on July 29 voted to forward a favorable recommendation to the Board of Mayor and Aldermen to rezone 32.5 acres at 180 Blair Road from R‑1 low‑density residential to R‑3 high‑density residential, but engineering staff cautioned that road improvements and a traffic study will be necessary as the project advances. Staff showed maps placing the parcel amid existing R‑3 zoning north of Blair Road and adjacent to the Arbor Ridge subdivision. Staff and the engineering representative said the increased density anticipated under R‑3 will likely require Blair Road be widened and the sharp curve near the site flattened; those improvements will be determined once formal site plans and a traffic study are submitted. Campbell Dodd, appearing for the property owners, said he represents the owners and acknowledged the road improvements; he estimated that right‑of‑way and road construction could reduce the developable acreage by “about 10 acres” though he spoke qualitatively. The engineering representative reiterated that road‑improvement requirements and a traffic study are expected to be conditions of future site plan review. A motion for a favorable recommendation carried on a roll call/voice vote with one commissioner recorded as voting no. The recommendation advances to the Board of Mayor and Aldermen for public hearing and final action. The commission did not adopt any site‑level approvals or direct construction details; staff emphasized that specific improvements, cost allocation and final design will be addressed in the site‑plan and engineering review process.