Residents ask Baldwin Park Planning Commission to oppose rezoning of Flanner Elementary for condos, request traffic study

Several Bassett-area residents told the Baldwin Park Planning Commission on May 28 that they oppose a proposed rezoning of Flanner Elementary land for a large condominium project and asked the commission to consider preserving the site for a park or community use and to require a traffic study before any rezoning decision.

The residents said the portion of Bassett near Flanner Elementary is park-scarce and would benefit from a community recreational space or senior center rather than more housing. Gabriela Alba, a resident who said she grew up on the Bassett–Baldwin Park border, said the neighborhood “is very park scarce” and asked the commission to “look into maybe, like, a traffic study to truly see the repercussions” before rezoning the site for more than 100 condos.

Why it matters: Speakers framed the issue as one of neighborhood amenities and safety. Several residents said narrow local streets would be further strained by the residential project, and that children and seniors in the area lack nearby public space for recreation. The planning commission heard multiple public comments during the verbal communications portion of the May 28 meeting, though no rezoning application for Flanner Elementary had been filed before the commission at that time.

What speakers told the commission: Juanita Whitley said the neighborhood “needs this for our children” and urged the commission to prevent property managers from rezoning the site for condos. Yolanda Pampa, who said she lives on Millbury Avenue, said her neighbors “are not for this build” and repeated calls for a park, a community center or an educational facility. Miguel Zuniga and Jorge Del Real also spoke in opposition, reiterating safety and traffic concerns and asking the commission to reject the rezoning when it is formally proposed.

Process and status: Commissioners did not take any action on the Flanner Elementary matter at the May 28 meeting; the remarks occurred during the public comment (verbal communications) period. Speakers repeatedly asked the commission to consider a traffic study and to weigh park needs before a formal rezoning application reaches the commission.

What the commission said: Members asked questions of staff and applicants on other agenda items during the meeting, but no staff presentation or formal item on Flanner Elementary rezoning was before the commission that night. Because the community comments were part of the public comment period rather than an agendized rezoning hearing, no vote or formal staff recommendation on the Flanner site was recorded at the May 28 meeting.

Next steps: Residents asked commissioners to address the issue when (and if) the Bassett Unified School District or a developer brings a rezoning application forward. The commission did not set any follow-up on the record at the May 28 meeting.