Glendora council adopts circulation element amendment to guide development near Metro station

The Glendora City Council unanimously approved a resolution on June 9 amending the city's general plan circulation element to promote a grid-block street network and clearer street-section standards for the area south of the Metro A-line station. The amendment sets block-face limits (600 feet) and block-perimeter limits (1,800 feet) and proposes 56-foot street sections intended to support vehicles, pedestrians and bicycles.

Assistant Community Development Director Shawn McFersonson told the council the circulation element, last updated in 2007, did not anticipate recent development interest. Staff highlighted an active application for about 86 townhomes within the study area and noted Metro has discussed potential future parking-lot redevelopment.

The amendment is intended to require an orderly pattern for future infrastructure and improve circulation for emergency services, McFersonson said, and to add street frontage that could support retail and a mix of housing types. He said the illustrated grid shown to council was demonstrative, not prescriptive: the proposed dimensional standards would guide future street layouts.

Council members asked about open space and economic-development opportunities. McFersonson said open space would be considered as part of any future development application and that additional street frontage could support small retail and diverse housing layouts. Councilmember Shauna and others said they favored the approach as a way to manage expected growth near the station while preserving the village's walkable character.

Motion by Councilmember Alawa and second by Councilmember Thompson carried 5-0 to adopt the resolution amending the circulation element.