Bassett residents urge planning commission to block 105-unit Florence Flanner condo proposal, request park instead

Dozens of Bassett residents told the Baldwin Park Planning Commission on May 14 they oppose a proposed 105-unit residential project by Storm Properties at the Florence Flanner Elementary School site and asked the city to pursue a park or community center instead.

At the meeting’s public-comment period, residents described narrow streets, a lack of nearby parks and safety concerns for children as reasons to reject rezoning or long-term leases that would allow high-density housing at the school site. “We want parks, not condos,” Lizette (Liz) Vasquez said. Jorge del Rio Carlos said the development would harm homeowners’ equity and called the district’s projected revenue “nothing compared to the amount these developers are keeping.”

Several speakers urged the commission to slow the process and prioritize community benefits over a lease. Luis Vasquez called the proposed 99-year lease “short sighted and just wrong,” saying it will outlive his young child. Evetta Whitley (who spoke at the podium as Juanetta) told commissioners a child “almost got hit” and said a neighborhood park would reduce street play and danger. Francisco Arenas, John Rios and others described narrow roadways and limited parking and warned that added traffic from 105 units would make streets unsafe.

Why it matters: speakers tied the land-use choice to public safety, open-space access and home values. Jorge del Rio Carlos cited guidance he said was from the U.S. Green Building Council and calculated that 100 units at four occupants each would require about 48,400 square feet of green area; he said the developer’s plan delivers “less than 10% of what we need.” Lizette Vasquez said the neighborhood has collected “over 800 signatures” opposing the project.

Commission response and process note: Chair Pena thanked the Bassett speakers and said the commission had not yet received a staff report or formal project materials needed to take action. “We are actively listening, but at this time, we haven't made a decision,” Pena said, noting the commission normally receives staff reports about one week before a public hearing. The meeting record shows the comments were made during the public-comment period; no zoning or lease item was acted on during the May 14 meeting.

What residents asked for: multiple speakers asked the city to pursue a park, a community center and educational amenities at the Florence Flanner site rather than approving a high-density residential lease. Several commenters asked that notices and outreach be multilingual; one speaker said neighborhood flyers initially were only in English and that Spanish and Chinese translations arrived after residents raised concerns.

What the record does not show: the commission did not vote on any rezoning or lease during this meeting, and staff did not present a project report on the Florence Flanner site at the May 14 meeting. The commission’s comments indicate staff reports and official project materials were still pending.

The commission’s next steps: chair remarks indicated the commission will consider any formal staff report or application when those materials are filed and noticed; residents were encouraged to continue submitting input to staff ahead of any formal hearing.