KIM BOWMAN
Q: The city is currently in the process of updating the housing element of the general plan by the October deadline and working with consultants to find a document that would appease the California Department of Housing and Community Development and La Cañada Flintridge residents. How do you think the city can achieve this goal, and what would you like to contribute to this ongoing conversation about development in LCF, especially with the Downtown Village Specific Plan?
A: When it comes to housing, we can either drive the train or be run over by it. Inaction and delay are no longer options in the face of mounting state mandates.
Immediately: LCF will be compliant with the housing element deadlines because not only is a realistic site inventory possible, but also because the penalties for failing to submit the housing element are so severe that complying with state law is the only responsible choice (e.g., loss of state and federal funding as well as state override of our local permitting and planning processes).
In the future: We can meet the state requirements while also maintaining control of the process and the character of our city, but only if we choose to act together as a community now to provide opportunities for the types of housing we do want rather than continuing to delay until a cookie-cutter plan that we do not want is mandated for us. For example, older adult housing is an ideal opportunity to build the La Cañada way, provide for a critical need in our community, and get ahead of state mandates before they are enacted. That work necessarily includes updating our 40-year-old zoning code and 20-year-old Downtown Village Specific Plan to reflect the LCF we want 40 years from now.
Q: With the number of collisions and accidents on Foothill Boulevard during the past several years, residents are concerned about safety — especially on the corner of Angeles Crest Highway and Foothill Boulevard — and pedestrians. How would you address the issue if you were on the City Council, and what changes would you like to see on the streets of LCF?
A: This is one of our most critical public-safety issues. I talk to other parents who are not comfortable sending their kids to school by bike or walking because we do not have enough sidewalks. On May 16, a car jumped the curb near the LCE drop-off area within minutes of children starting the school day; we were extremely fortunate that no one was killed. To improve traffic and safety, we need to use the three E’s: Education (e.g., walk against traffic and ride with it while wearing bright-colored clothing); Enforcement to help us keeping our speeds down and everyone safe; and Engineering, because how we interact with our spaces depends a great deal on how they are designed, lighted and built.
Immediately: Form a community-based working group to provide inputs for an actionable transportation master plan. The master plan must include medium- and long-term goals and aligned projects for walking, biking, public transportation, private vehicles and electrification of city fleets with an emphasis on safety, reduced speeds and increased community outreach to minimize disruptions.
In the future: Implement the master plan to provide greater walkability and bikeability to and from schools and along the Foothill corridor, especially between outdoor/community spaces and commercial spaces.
Q: Several residents have brought up the city’s climate action plan over the past year, asking for an update to the city’s efforts to reduce locally generated greenhouse gas emissions. Some of those stakeholders also expressed concern about the number of tree-removal permits being granted over the past few years. What are your thoughts on the city’s efforts, and what would you like to see added or expanded to the plan?
A: Climate science is clear that it is now or never to limit climate change and prevent irreversible devastation planet-wide. To change the world, we need to improve our environmental stewardship here at home in La Cañada.
Immediately: Hire a city sustainability officer (CSO) to serve much like our city treasurer does: working inside the city government part-time for a stipend and reporting to the City Council so they can maintain awareness of the progress made on critical projects and programs like the 2016 Climate Action Plan (CAP). Proper use of the CAP allows LCF to maximize available state and federal funds. We also need to form an Environmental and Natural Preservation Commission so we have citizens empowered to advise the City Council on these critical issues.
In the future: The 2016 CAP must be updated and implemented, with the council, staff and citizens of La Cañada receiving regular status reports from the CSO and reevaluating the plan as we go. As it says on page 115 of the CAP: “The key to long-term success in climate-action planning is to periodically measure and track reductions associated with the city’s climate-action measures. By doing so, the city can ensure that it is getting results.”
Q: LCF is a city with limited space for the various sports programs offered to locals, and the school district, user groups and city have worked together to maximize the facilities available for the teams. What ideas do you have to help address the matter?
A: La Cañada is a built-out city, so insufficient space will only be addressed by repurposing existing land to create new facilities.
Immediately: Maximize maintenance for our heavily utilized fields, build permanent pickleball courts at Mayors Discovery Park as soon as practicable and begin a campaign to keep our parks beautiful and free from litter.
In the future: We can have many new athletic fields, natural spaces, a dog park and a community garden as part of a reimagined center of our community by redeveloping the LCUSD and city property between Verdugo Boulevard and Chevy Chase Drive (location of Lanterman House and Auditorium, LCUSD administration building, and Community Center in coordination with Cornishon and FIS fields). Memorial Park is our most popular public venue, so long-term we should strive for an additional freeway cap (new fields built over the 210) and use of underutilized SCE and JPL land.
Q: How would you work in a bipartisan manner to procure the best for the city?
A: Our relationships with leaders at all levels of government are key because so many of the decisions that impact La Cañada are made at the regional and state levels. More than just an ability or willingness to work with people in a bipartisan manner, I can demonstrate the connections needed to maintain successful partnerships. My endorsers include not only city and community leaders, but also regional and state representatives like state Sen. and former Mayor Anthony Portantino, Assemblywoman Laura Friedman and Assemblyman Chris Holden.
One of our most important partners as a contract city is L.A. County, which provides many of our essential services like police protection, firefighting and the public library. I have years of experience working in the county as an executive advisor and as Supervisor Kathryn Barger’s appointed commissioner to the LA County Commissioner for Older Adults. That experience has provided me with both a working knowledge of county operations as well as relationships in key departments and with each supervisor’s office. For example, my understanding of disaster preparation/response and plans for supporting first responders is one of the reasons L.A. County Firefighters Local 1014 is endorsing me.
MIKE DAVITT
Q: The city is currently in the process of updating the housing element of the general plan by the October deadline and working with consultants to find a document that would appease the California Department of Housing and Community Development and La Cañada Flintridge residents. How do you think the city can achieve this goal, and what would you like to contribute to this ongoing conversation about development in LCF, especially with the Downtown Village Specific Plan?
A: Housing is a statewide concern that requires our attention. There is a shortage across our state and it’s something that the state has put tremendous focus on. With that said, the approach of “one size fits all” coming down from Sacramento destroys local control and our ability to do what is right for our community.
None of us want to see six-story buildings get built in our town but we must carefully and consciously respond to the state mandate in a way that fits our town. Appropriate-sized senior housing would be a good addition that could be a benefit for the community and our residents. It is important to know that some commercial property owners will possibly get entitlements that give them the ability to develop residential units on their property but they will not be required to include residential units in any future developments — it’s completely voluntary. The city makes efforts to meet the requirements as mandated by the state but is not responsible for actually developing any parcel.
Q: With the number of collisions and accidents on Foothill Boulevard during the past several years, residents are concerned about safety — especially on the corner of Angeles Crest Highway and Foothill Boulevard — and pedestrians. How would you address the issue if you were on the City Council, and what changes would you like to see on the streets of LCF?
A: Unfortunately, many residents and visitors in LCF do drive too fast. Over the past years, the city has made improvements to Foothill Blvd, which has slowed down traffic and helped calm the speed of drivers. New improvements such as traffic signals have been installed and additional crosswalks with flashing beacons also aid pedestrian safety.
The new Foothill Street improvement on the west side of town, while a beautification and upgrade, will also help reduce the vehicular speed. Our sheriff’s department has also increased traffic patrol, and this has led to an increase in “warnings” to drivers, which is a big assistance to our residents.
Last year, the city funded increased patrols on Angeles Crest Highway, especially on the weekends, and this has led to more warnings and traffic citations. We will continue to make this a priority for everyone in La Cañada Flintridge and improve traffic safety.
Q: Several residents have brought up the city’s climate action plan over the past year, asking for an update to the city’s efforts to reducing locally generated greenhouse gas emissions. Some of those stakeholders also expressed concern about the number of tree removal permits being granted over the past few years. What are your thoughts on the city’s efforts, and what would you like to see added or expanded to the plan?
A: The Climate Action Plan is something that we as a city need to continue to move forward. We want to be responsible stewards of our resources. Our city has made progress on many fronts. Here are a few to mention:
• We have committed and funded two city buses being electric.
• We approved 24 EV charger permits last year – but we know more are being done, so I am leading the effort to have $0 for EV permits.
• We approved 121 solar permits for residential property last year (total 1,170 kWh).
• We are exploring a gas-powered leaf blower ban.
• The installation of the Green Alley project behind Armstrong Nursery. Please go visit if you can.
• Using federal grant monies to help get people connected to sewers to help our water supply.
We will continue to provide additional funding for the implementation of important programs to set and achieve goals which are attainable. The city owns over 7,000 trees. We care and take great pride in our natural resources. La Cañada Flintridge has been a “Tree City USA” for more than 20 years.
Q: LCF is a city with limited space for the various sports programs offered to locals, and the school district, user groups and city have worked together to maximize the facilities available for the teams. What ideas do you have to help address the matter?
A: Field availability for different sport groups has been an ongoing challenge. The school district and the city have worked well together in allocating space among the different user groups. We do definitely need additional space. In a fully developed city like ours, finding new space can be a challenge.
While accomplishing that, we also need to continue to work with our Joint Use Committee (city and La Cañada Unified School District). Joint Use has made great strides. We can also look to partner outside our city. Opportunities may be available in neighboring communities where we may be able to utilize field space. This will would be an efficient and cost-effective way to allow for additional field usage and I am committed to finding more field space for our youth.
Q: How would you work in a bipartisan manner to procure the best for the city?
A: Over the past 11 years on the council, I have always worked in a nonpartisan manner. Partisan politics or personal agendas have no place on the council. It is counterproductive to advancing what is in the best interest for our city.
Over the years, our council has been very good about working together. I have been a strong advocate and leader in this area. I am the only candidate who has the proven experience, which has demonstrated my ability to leave personal political ideology “at the door” and work within our city to advance what is best for our community.
My involvement with other groups outside the city, including California Contract Cities Association, shows my ability to work for the betterment of cities, and not for partisan agendas.
MARIJA DECKER
Q: The city is currently in the process of updating the housing element of the general plan by the October deadline and working with consultants to find a document that would appease the California Department of Housing and Community Development and La Cañada Flintridge residents. How do you think the city can achieve this goal, and what would you like to contribute to this ongoing conversation about development in LCF, especially with the Downtown Village Specific Plan?
A: I support a comprehensive rather than a piecemeal approach that takes into account the needs and concerns of LCF residents first and considers the long-term implications of actions taken. This requires vision, good planning and development. Lots identified for multi-family housing should not abut existing single-family housing, be able to accommodate additional traffic from additional housing, be located close to public transportation and respectful of existing residents of our city.
Unfortunately, we are dealing with a one-size-fits-all mandate from Sacramento. Based on the current lots identified in the Housing Element, it is my understanding the city’s consultant will create prototypes of what the housing at various income levels would look like. The prototypes will provide the city with valuable information to evaluate what changes to zoning laws will need to be made in order to be in compliance. This may require a change to the DVSP to allow for increased density. Also, gerrymandering our city where all development occurs in one part of town versus another is contrary to law. Any development in our city must maintain architectural integrity and be aesthetically pleasing, not a patchwork of varied random architectural designs and buildings.
The city should consider implementing an amnesty program for unpermitted ADUs that would afford residents the opportunity to bring those units up to code so that the city can include those units in meeting our RHNA. Also, I have heard first-hand from elderly residents that selling their home and moving into senior housing is an attractive option not currently available in our city. Senior housing is an option I would explore to meet the need for housing at various income levels.
Q: With the number of collisions and accidents on Foothill Boulevard during the past several years, residents are concerned about safety — especially on the corner of Angeles Crest Highway and Foothill Boulevard — and pedestrians. How would you address the issue if you were on the City Council, and what changes would you like to see on the streets of LCF?
A: We should work to partner with Caltrans and explore the appropriateness of traffic calming options such as traffic circles and roundabouts to slow traffic on ACH. These options, however, need to be carefully evaluated to determine impact on traffic patterns and congestion. Speed limits are clearly posted on ACH and should be enforced. Given many accidents have occurred during late night hours with speeding cars on ACH, patrols should be increased to enforce traffic laws. Implementation of low- and high-tech mechanisms to reduce speeds on Angeles Crest Highway, such as an additional radar sign, additional appropriate signage to alert drivers to the reduced speeds ahead and to pedestrian traffic, should be explored.
City traffic engineers should evaluate traffic signal optimization and improve the brightness and visibility of traffic signals on Foothill at the corner of ACH, and throughout the city. To improve traffic flow, the city should explore dynamic speed management efforts such as signal retiming on city streets. By improving the flow of traffic, the number of idling cars are reduced, which reduces vehicle fuel consumption and benefits the environment.
There needs to be a concerted effort to reduce traffic on Foothill, particularly around the high schools. The city should collaborate with the schools to conduct a public awareness campaign to encourage students to ride city buses to school, and to alleviate any parental concerns about kids riding buses. Bus services should be expanded to run more frequently during peak hours. Parents of students living farther from bus stops should be encouraged to drop off kids at key bus stops on their way to work instead of driving students to the high schools.
JACK SCHAEDEL
Q: The city is currently in the process of updating the housing element of the general plan by the October deadline and working with consultants to find a document that would appease the California Department of Housing and Community Development and La Cañada Flintridge residents. How do you think the city can achieve this goal, and what would you like to contribute to this ongoing conversation about development in LCF, especially with the Downtown Village Specific Plan, or DVSP?
A: The Regional Housing Needs Assessment (RHNA) requires the LCF to make provisions for 612 new units. Our challenge is to comply with this directive, to the extent it has legal force, within the bounds of our community’s values and interests.
Most of us moved to LCF for two reasons. After the schools, people say they love our small-town feel. So, it’s natural to see the state’s moves as a threat. But maybe there is opportunity: There has been discussion of “MU-3” zoning that would allow for up to 30 units per acre, but within the DVSP this should occur only on the North side of Foothill, adjacent to the freeway.
We would not want three-story or higher buildings that would negatively impact our “village feel.” We might be able to work with property owners outside the DVSP on larger projects as appropriate. Accessory-dwelling units are also now favored by new state laws and could help LCF meet the RHNA requirement. But we must be mindful of environmental concerns that arise from removing trees, of the fact that portions of our town are on septic tanks, and of the fact that over 900 homes are in areas of more than 30 houses with only one exit.
So, we can only allow additional building where it’s safe and responsible to do so. That said, we should expedite approved projects, and if possible, keep the function in the city rather than outsourcing it to L.A. County. By establishing an “expediting fee” for high-priority projects, we could hire additional personnel to review all projects for possible approval and for code enforcement. I am not at all anti-growth, as long as it’s done responsibly and in keeping with our community’s values.
What I would like to promote is senior housing. This gives our residents graduating to senior status a way to move out of a very large empty nest into something with proximity to Music in the Park, shopping, the Community Center and their grandchildren’s LCBSA and AYSO games and school activities. It creates more housing stock for our Realtors to buy and sell, and it brings new families into town. This means more students for [the school district] to combat declining enrollment, and an updating of property tax assessments, which creates more revenue for the city.
Q: With the number of collisions and accidents on Foothill Boulevard during the past several years, residents are concerned about safety — especially on the corner of Angeles Crest Highway and Foothill Boulevard — and pedestrians. How would you address the issue if you were on the City Council, and what changes would you like to see on the streets of LCF?
A: Traffic safety is vital, and, while important steps were taken after the tragic crash of 2009, additional crashes like the truck crash in February 2021 show our work isn’t done.
Caltrans set forth a proposal including a roundabout that we need to consider seriously, with input from the Traffic & Public Works Commission and from residents that live near the proposed work.
As a frequent user of our amazing trails, I worry about the streets crossing Flint Canyon Trail. While there is good visibility at Chevy Chase, drivers frequently ignore the crossings on Berkshire, Beulah, Commonwealth, Oakwood and Woodleigh. I would increase the visibility of crossings — perhaps with bright yellow overhead banners or flashing lights and would consider installing speed bumps at each street/trail intersection. I would also conduct annual reviews of school campuses to ensure they are as safe as possible.
While nobody likes receiving tickets, where drivers violate safety rules and threaten pedestrians, especially children — we should not be afraid to utilize law enforcement to protect their safety.
Q: Several residents have brought up the city’s climate-action plan over the past year, asking for an update to the city’s efforts to reduce locally generated greenhouse gas emissions. Some of those stakeholders also expressed concern about the number of tree-removal permits being granted over the past few years. What are your thoughts on the city’s efforts, and what would you like to see added or expanded to the plan?
A: Our 2016 Climate-Action Plan contains goals for 2020 and 2035 and needs to be re-evaluated to ensure that we remain on track. I’m concerned about tree removal for perceived needs like pickleball, parking, or other uses. Mayors’ Discovery Park and Palm Crest Elementary are two current examples. Every project should be evaluated, in part, on whether it is consistent with and leads to fulfillment of the CAP’s objective goals.
I favor incentives over mandates where possible, such as reduced fees for permits where a building project uses renewable materials or is LEED-certified, incentives for water-use reduction and for replacement of grass and other “thirsty” features with drought-resistant ones.
I would set an example by replacing the grass around City Hall and in medians on Foothill. I would encourage use of bicycles to get to school by creating protected bike paths for students only during certain hours, and I would work with L.A. County and neighboring cities to explore possible expansion of mass-transit systems for commuters, such as the 409 Commuter Express run by L.A. DOT. Additional electric buses for LCF Shuttle during school hours would also be helpful.
Q: LCF is a city with limited space for the various sports programs offered to locals, and the school district, user groups and city have worked together to maximize the facilities available for the teams. What ideas do you have to help address the matter?
A: I have attended joint-use committee meetings and see opportunity for improving the efficiency of allocating field spaces through the La Cañada Sports Coalition.
With the state-mandated later school start time, LCHS groups get the fields later and need them later into the evening than previously. After all LCF-based groups have sufficient field time, I would solicit competitive bids from different private organizations for the remaining time, and use the revenues from these groups to upgrade fields. Moving to turf reduces maintenance costs and downtime and saves water. Allowing for lights up to 8:30 p.m. (sunset during summer) also increases available space, although any changes must be done with residents’ interests in mind, because lights, noise, traffic and parking usage all can detract from enjoyment of home and neighborhood.
I would like to see pickleball courts created, in locations that do not require destruction of trees and green space and the only park serving western LCF, and that are not so close to homes that normal play negatively impacts residents’ lives. I would also like to create a dog park.
Q: How would you work in a bipartisan manner to procure the best for the city?
A: I have never run for office in a partisan race or made large donations to a political party, and I would not be any party’s man on City Council, as the focus should be on what is best for LCF, not a partisan interest.
City Council is not my steppingstone to higher office; I did not begin planning to run for office as soon as I got to town. I am proud to have endorsements and contributions from people who span the entire political spectrum, those who have run in partisan races on both sides of the aisle, from nonpartisan organizations like the Pasadena Foothills Area Realtors, and from five former and future mayors of LCF, as people know that I can work well with everybody.
During my 26-year legal career, I earned a mediation certificate from one of the world’s most prestigious dispute resolution institutes, and I have settled hundreds of cases as a neutral and as an advocate. Mediation (a process that allows all parties to be heard, all interests to be weighed and evaluated, and results in a mutually-agreed-upon resolution) works to resolve legal disputes, and it can be applied to resolve neighbor disputes and other issues that arise before our commissions and City Council.
I would advocate for a Community Mediation Clinic for LCF. There has been far too much partisanship in this race, and it is inappropriate for City Council. The candidates should be evaluated on three things –– their record of service to the community, their ideas and vision for La Cañada Flintridge, and their character and commitment. I have lived here for two decades and plan to live here for many more, God willing, and I promise to work with every La Cañada resident, regardless of political persuasion.
