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Residents urge council to oppose rezoning of Florence Flanner site and support San Gabriel Valley Greenway
Summary
At the April 2 council meeting, Bassett and Baldwin Park residents urged the City Council to oppose a proposed rezoning for development of the Florence Flanner Elementary site and to support a San Gabriel Valley Greenways Network proposal that would convert the open space to parkland and a multi-benefit greenway.
Baldwin Park — Dozens of residents from Bassett and Baldwin Park used the public-comment period at the April 2 council meeting to press the city to resist a zoning change for the Florence Flanner Elementary site and to support a proposed San Gabriel Valley Greenway that would connect the site to nearby Shire Park.
“Please consider Bassett area residents and assist us in rejecting any zoning change for the proposed project that wants to build 105 condos at Florence Flanner Elementary School,” said Yolanda Pompa, a Bassett resident who addressed the council during public communications.
Speakers described narrow streets, limited parking and public-safety concerns in the neighborhood and argued a park, walking paths or community center would better serve local residents. Samuel Brown, a community advocate who presented public-comment materials on behalf of the Greenways proposal, asked the council to endorse the Greenways plan and incorporate the underused Florence Flanner open space into a contiguous green network.
Brown provided comparative statistics in his remarks, saying Baldwin Park has about 0.34 acres of park space per 1,000 residents compared with a county average of about 8 acres per 1,000; he also referenced local health and environmental concerns and suggested potential funding sources such as Proposition 68 and local measures. Residents including Cecilia Bernal, Miguel Zuniga, Gabriela Alba, Lizette (Lizeth) and others urged the council to protect the site for parkland rather than allow high-density housing.
Council members acknowledged the speakers and explained the land-use process. Mayor Alejandra Avila told residents the project must first go to the city’s Planning Commission before returning to the council. Councilmember Manuel Lozano said he toured the open space, described the area as “extremely congested,” and urged inclusiveness for Bassett residents when the developer’s proposal advances.
No formal council action was taken at the April 2 meeting on the Flanner site. The mayor and other council members repeatedly asked residents to be patient and to follow the Planning Commission schedule; staff said they would notify residents in advance of the commission and council hearings so the public can provide input.
Ending — Residents asked the city to oppose rezoning that would allow large-scale residential development at Florence Flanner and to prioritize parkland; council members said the standard planning-commission and council review process will determine next steps and committed to informing residents when the application advances.
