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Regional planning director briefs South Pasadena on grant cycle and proposed NPO merger
Summary
The Penllis MPO/PPC executive director outlined a summer call for projects (planning grants around $150,000; construction grants available), proposed procedural streamlining for some land‑use reviews and discussed a state study on merging three NPOs into a single regional body that raises questions about board apportionment and local representation.
A representative of the Penllis metropolitan planning organization and planning council briefed the South Pasadena commission on upcoming grant opportunities and large regional governance proposals.
The director said the MPO/PPC will release a call for projects this summer offering planning grants (about $150,000, minimum $35,000) and larger construction grants; applications will be due in the fall with awards typically made in March. "We fund transportation priorities and bring federal and state dollars into the area," the director said, and staff will hold pre‑application meetings with local governments.
On land use, the director described short‑term streamlining proposals that would allow administrative staff review of smaller parcels (e.g., under three to five acres) that lack countywide implications; longer‑term modifications would require special‑act revisions and state legislative action.
He also summarized a state‑directed feasibility study on consolidating three county NPOs into one regional NPO, saying a regional body could marshal more discretionary federal and state funds but also warned of political tradeoffs. The director cautioned that population‑based apportionment could give larger counties disproportionate board influence and that final approvals must proceed through county commissions and a governor consultation process.
No city action was required; the director said staff would continue outreach and expects further committee recommendations this summer and formal proposals in September.
