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Residents urge Buena Park to keep Stanton/Pinchot lot as parkland
Summary
Residents at the council meeting urged Buena Park officials to preserve the city-owned parcel at Stanton and Pinchot for a small neighborhood park rather than develop it for housing, arguing it is the last city-owned vacant parcel and would serve seniors and families.
Residents pressed the Buena Park City Council to preserve a small city-owned parcel at the corner of Stanton Avenue and Pinchot Court as parkland during oral communications. Multiple speakers said the site, described by commenters as the city’s last vacant parcel, would better serve the neighborhood as a pocket park.
The appeal came from residents representing and living in District 2. Mark Bridal said the area lacks “a park of beautification” and urged the council to create a place “where you can take a walk through the park and look at the beautiful flowers.” Craig Nida, who identified himself as a long-term neighbor, said seniors and families need a nearby place to rest and socialize. Sinclair Roberts described the space as “the last bastion in this little area for serenity, peace, quiet,” and asked council members to “devote that piece of land to the people who live in this area rather than the few people who might benefit from maybe 4 or 5 homes.”
Several speakers noted the parcel’s history and zoning. Vicky Wagstaff said she understood the parcel had been rezoned for housing in 2022 and that the city had discussed Habitat for Humanity in 2023, but argued that zoning could be changed: “Just because the property has been zoned for residential development doesn’t mean it has to be developed,” she said, adding that the site’s sale value—“over $800,000,” as she characterized it—should not preclude keeping the land in public use.
Council members acknowledged the comments and signaled interest in exploring the park option. Council Member Franco requested that the idea of creating “Coyote Park” be calendared for further consideration. The mayor and other members thanked speakers for their participation; no formal action was taken at this meeting, and the agenda item related to the parcel had been continued at the applicant’s request.
Next steps: the council did not vote on the parcel’s disposition at this meeting. Staff and council will determine whether and when to calendar the matter for a future hearing; residents were told to submit comment cards or correspondence to the city clerk for the official record.
