South Pasadena site-plan committee refines outreach messaging, presses consultant timeline; members raise parking and senior-center concerns

The Library Community Center Comprehensive Site Plan Action Committee on Jan. 2 reviewed its outreach list and suggested messaging for the city—s envisioning process, discussed the consultant—s scope and scheduling, and fielded public comments about parking, senior services and on-site trees.

The committee said it wants clear, simple messaging for community engagement and urged the consultant to return concrete timelines and follow-up deliverables. Mayor Janet Braun and other members emphasized the need to explain how the site-plan process differs from prior efforts and to prepare an FAQ addressing likely questions about cost, phasing and interim services while any construction occurs.

Committee members spent the bulk of the meeting refining outreach targets (schools, faith-based groups, arts and music schools, senior organizations, tenants— groups and local media) and suggested taglines and a short header sentence. Jean Kim, a newly introduced committee member, told the group the intergenerational aspect resonated with him: "having a place where someone like my mother, my kids could spend time, and really, feel connected to the community intergenerational is something that really resonated with me about this particular project." The group discussed using the word "envision" in promotional copy to signal this stage is exploratory rather than a final design.

On the consultant contract and schedule, staff said the selected firm (referred to in the meeting as "Group 4") has begun information gathering and had provided a draft work plan that calls for roughly six months of work and three on-site visits. Staff and committee members said they will return a reviewed schedule to the consultant and asked for a modest time cushion to accommodate South Pasadena—s meeting calendar. Committee members also asked that the consultant include a follow-up step that summarizes public input and shows how the input was used so participants see results of the outreach.

Committee members and public speakers raised several recurring issues the outreach should address: parking constraints around the library and senior center, how services would be provided during any construction, potential funding sources and the project—s relationship to other city master plans (parks, golf course, housing element). A committee member noted earlier parking studies and state changes to parking requirements, but said a deeper look may be warranted and could require a focused parking analysis.

Public comment amplified those points. Sally Kilby, identifying herself as a member of the Senior Citizens Foundation, urged broader outreach to regional officials and grant sources and suggested inviting state and federal elected officials to early events. Resident Yvonne Lohr asked the committee to ensure the senior center—s programming needs are integrated and to consider a shared or dedicated parking solution across the street or with the school district.

The committee also noted conservation issues on the site: staff said the consultant requested a tree inventory and will evaluate the condition and longevity of large trees now on the property as part of the site assessment. Committee members said those findings should be highlighted in outreach materials so residents understand constraints and trade-offs.

Votes at a glance - Motion to approve minutes of the Nov. 7, 2024 Library Community Center Comprehensive Site Plan Ad Hoc Committee regular meeting. Outcome: approved (roll call recorded). The motion text recorded as submitted in the minutes.

What happens next Staff said they will finalize and circulate the consultant—s revised timeline and a list of requested documents before the committee—s next meeting; the consultant is expected to participate in a future meeting (staff indicated the Feb. 6 meeting date may change to accommodate the consultant—s schedule). The committee asked that the consultant—s deliverables include summaries of public outreach and recommended phasing and costing scenarios to support future funding requests.

The committee adjourned after public comment; the next meeting is scheduled for Feb. 6, pending a scheduling change to allow consultant participation.