Agenda packet — La Cañada Flintridge City Council, August 4, 2026 (part 2 of 3)

DEV-2026-0012 (Appeal) 4
composition, materials, texture, and color that will remain aesthetically appealing with the level of maintenance that might reasonably be expected. The signage is clear, minimal, and understated, consistent with the commercial character of the Foothill Boulevard corridor and the architectural style of the subject commercial building. The existing Wells Fargo wall, monument, and directional signage have been located on the property for approximately 15 years and have weathered overtime. The new signage would allow for a renewed period of new signage on the property for the same business, ensuring that the worn signage is replaced, while incorporating the business’s new branding refresh with signage that is appropriate for the site, building, and nearby area within the Foothill Boulevard commercial corridor.

SECTION 4. Based on the above findings, the City Council of the City of La Cañada Flintridge hereby upholds the appeal and approves Design Review (DEV-2026- 0012) for a new wall and monument and ground signs at 555 Foothill Boulevard, subject to the conditions of approval listed in Exhibit “A”, attached to this resolution, but with the removal of Condition #11 which required that the wall signs shall not be illuminated nor contain a raceway as an attachment mechanism to the building face.

PASSED, APPROVED AND ADOPTED this 4
th day of August 2026

_________________________________________
Jeanne Kim Hobson, Mayor

ATTEST:
________________________________________
Tania Garcia, City Clerk

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DEV-2026-0012 (Appeal) 5
EXHIBIT “A”

CONDITIONS OF APPROVAL
DESIGN REVIEW (DEV-2026-0012)
555 Foothill Boulevard / AIN: 5815-021-033

1. Compliance with and execution of all conditions listed herein shall be necessary prior to obtaining final building inspection clearance and/or prior to obtaining any occupancy clearance. Deviation from this requirement shall be only by written consent of the Director of Community Development.

2. This approval is granted for the land or land use as described in the application and any attachments thereto, and as shown on the plans submitted, labeled Design Review (DEV-2026-0012).

3. Prior to obtaining a building permit or when applicable initiation of use, the applicant and property owner shall file with the Secretary of the Design Commission written acknowledgment of the conditions stated herein on forms provided by the Planning Department.

4. All structures, site work and other features including but not limited to, buildings, signs, roadways, parking areas, landscaping and other facilities shall be located and maintained as shown on the project plans labeled Design Review (DEV-2026- 0012), except as otherwise stated in these conditions.

5. This approval will expire unless “start of construction” is commenced within 12 months after approval is granted and diligently pursued thereafter. The Director of Community Development may extend the original expiration date by as much as 12 months upon receipt of a written request from the applicant prior to expiration of the original approval if the approved project and applicable zoning standards are unchanged. Start of construction is defined as:
a. All zoning and related approvals are effective; and
b. All required building and grading permits for the project have been issued; and c. The "foundation inspection" and "concrete slab or underfloor inspection" have been made and received approval from the Division of Building and Safety; i.e., all trenches must be excavated, forms erected, and all materials for the foundation delivered on the job and all in-slab or underfloor building service equipment, conduit, piping accessories and other ancillary equipment items must be in place.

Nothing in this definition shall be construed to alter the applicable legal standards for determining when vested property rights to complete the project have arisen.

6. All applicable requirements of any law, ordinance, or regulation of the City of La Cañada Flintridge shall be complied with.

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DEV-2026-0012 (Appeal) 6

7. This approval is subject to the applicant paying all fees and assessments to the City of La Cañada Flintridge, as established by ordinance, resolution or policy of the City Council.

8. In the event the City determines that it is necessary to take legal action to enforce any of the provisions of these conditions, and such legal action is taken, the applicant agrees to pay any and all costs of such legal action, including reasonable attorney's fees, incurred by the City, even if the matter is not prosecuted to a final judgment or is amicably resolved, unless the City should otherwise agree with the applicant to waive said fees or any part thereof. The foregoing shall not apply if the permittee prevails in the enforcement proceeding.

9. The applicant shall defend, indemnify, and hold harmless the City and its officers, agents, and employees from any claim, action or proceeding against the City or its officers, agents, or employees to attack, set aside, void, or annul this Design Review approval. The City shall promptly notify the applicant of any such claim, action, or proceeding and shall cooperate fully in the defense.

10. An approval granted by the Design Commission does not constitute a building permit or authorization to begin any construction. An appropriate permit issued by the Division of Building and Safety must be obtained prior to construction, enlargement, relocation, conversion, or demolition of any building or structure within the City.
# # # # #

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RNF SIGNS
309 S. Irwindale Ave
Azusa, CA 91702
www.rnfsigns.com
Plan Check #: DEV-2026-0012
Address: 555 Foothill Blvd
Dear Kurtis:

This letter is to formally file for an appeal to the La Canada Flintridge City Council, regarding the project conditions that were approved by the Design Review Commission at the May 21st meeting.

The Commission adopted a resolution with condition number 11, as stated below:

11. All wall signs shall not be illuminated, and shall not include raceways as an attachment mechanism to the structure's building face. Plans shall be submitted to the Planning Division prior to submittal to Building & Safety for building permits, subject to verification We do not agree with this condition, and would like the opportunity to appeal, and present our case to the LCF City Council. Other banks in town, including Chase, have a raceway, and illuminated letters. In addition, at the meeting, the Commission never gave our representative a chance to speak further on this issue and closed the public hearing pre-maturely. We look forward to working with you and the council on this appeal. Thank you,
Jimmy Fuller

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Plan Check #: DEV-2026-0012
Address: 555 Foothill Blvd
Dear Mr. Mayor and City Council Members:

I am writing to you on behalf of Wells Fargo Bank, N.A. (Wells Fargo) as the representative for this appeal. We are appealing the decision of the La Canada Flintridge Design Review Commission May 21st meeting to not permit illuminated wall signage at the existing Wells Fargo location at 555 Foothill Blvd. The resolution, as adopted reads:

Illuminated Signage
The commissioners, during the May 21st meeting, approved our project with non-illuminated signs. We believe there is no sound reasoning presented during the DRC meeting as to why they should be non-illuminated. There was no architectural, design, zoning, etc. related matter discussed for why the letters could not be lit up. Every other bank within the city has an illuminated storefront building sign such as:
• Chase – 749 Foothill Blvd / corner of Foothill & Commonwealth • Citibank – 742 Foothill Blvd / corner of Foothill & Commonwealth • Bank of America – 537 Foothill Blvd / Corner of Foothill & Indianola • US Bank – 475 Foothill Blvd / Trader Joes Shopping Center The right to deny our client illuminated building letters singles them out amongst all of their business competition, for no valid reason. The only topic discussed during the meeting was the color red. This will be discussed further in our letter as argument #4.

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Use of a Raceway
Commissioners strongly opposed the use of a raceway as originally proposed in the signage package. A raceway, is a small cabinet behind the letters, that is used to house electrical components necessary to illuminate the sign. This is done when the area behind the wall does not typically allow electrical wiring. We do not understand why Wells Fargo is being denied a raceway, when it is small in nature, painted the same color as the building (white) and raceways have been used at other banks and businesses within the city.

For example, one of Wells Fargo’s main competitors, Chase Bank, uses a raceway for their primary wall sign. A photo of the sign is attached to this letter. Their raceway isn’t even painted the same color as the building and looks architecturally incompatible. If Chase was permitted to have a discolored raceway, and exposed conduit running the face of the building, why is Wells Fargo being denied the same design? Our raceway is thoughtfully proposed, small in nature, and painted the same color as the building façade to make it as invisible as possible.

We understand raceways are not ideal, but a similar situation occurred in the nationally historic neighborhood of Georgetown, Washington DC. Attached are photos of that branch that the DC Planning Department approved and was installed. Photos are attached of that location. Our proposed signage will look similar to this location.

DRC Meeting Procedural Errors
During the DRC meeting, our representative onsite, Jay, was not offered the opportunity to speak and have dialog regarding condition #11 above. The commission heard an initial presentation from city staff and Jay. However, as is customary in all DRC meetings (I have appeared before the DRC myself), Planning Commission meetings, etc., once changes to the proposed plans are discussed, the applicant should have a chance to respond and provide feedback to the commission. This opportunity to speak further was not provided to the applicant / Wells Fargo. I believe if this was afforded to our representative, this entire appeal could have been avoided.

During this open dialogue with the applicant, the DRC could have been provided with other solutions and ideas. None of that was permitted at the May 21st meeting, which is inconsistent with past meeting practices. We have multiple solutions to offer the DRC and City of La Canada Flintridge, but not having the opportunity to speak further fundamentally goes against our right to present our project.

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Red Illuminated Signs
DRC members were clear that they did not support red illuminated signage. We simply do not understand this position of the DRC. City staff did inform them, that this is Wells Fargo Banks’ nationally trademarked logo and you cannot restrict that. We feel that the color red played a significant part in why the DRC rejected our application for any illuminated signage. Attached to this letter are photo examples of 10 other red illuminated signs throughout the city. This includes:
• Trader Joes
• Petco
• Bridgestone
• Firestone
• US Bank
• Panda Express
• Sports Clips
• Jersey Mike’s
We are not sure why now, but the DRC and City of La Canada Flintridge have had no problems permitting illuminated red wall signs in the past. This is not against the zoning code. The discussion at the May 21st meeting also centered around the hours of the bank’s operation.

This should have no bearing on whether to allow red illuminated letters. Every other bank in town has illuminated storefront signage. In the winter specifically, the bank may be open when it is dark outside.

We strongly feel that with the facts presented above, the City Council has no option but to overturn the Design Review Commission’s May 21st resolution and permit Wells Fargo to have illuminated signage as originally proposed. If the City Council so wishes, we have also included alternative proposals with respect to the use of a raceway on the main storefront. Thank you, Jimmy Fuller
Representative for Wells Fargo

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Wells Fargo Bank Chase Bank Citi Bank

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Chase Bank (5 blocks from Site)

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Chase Bank (5 blocks from Site)

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Wells Fargo Bank Chase Bank Citi Bank

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Citi Bank (5 blocks from Site) Page 162 of 414

Wells Fargo Bank U.S. Bank Branch Bank of America Bank of America (Across the street from Site)

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Bank of America (Across the street from Site) Page 164 of 414

Bank of America (Across the street from Site) Page 165 of 414

Wells Fargo Bank Bank of America U.S. Bank Branch U.S. Bank (Within 2 blocks from Site)

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U.S. Bank (Within 2 blocks from Site)

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Design Commission Agenda Report
Meeting Date: May 21, 2026
Subject: Design Review (DEV-2026-0012); RNF Signs; 555 Foothill Boulevard (Wells Fargo): A request to allow new wall and monument and ground signs at 555 Foothill Boulevard.

Presenter: Kurtis Fabela, Assistant Planner
Proposed Action: Adopt Design Commission Resolution No. 26-XX approving Design Review (DEV-2026-0012) for new wall and monument and ground signs at 555 Foothill Boulevard.

Environmental Impact: None.

Background:

An existing bank at 555 Foothill Boulevard, Wells Fargo, proposed a signage restoration and remodel project including the installation of a new wall sign, the refacing of an existing wall and monument sign, and the replacement of five existing and on-site directional signs. The existing and stand-alone commercial building is located at the northwest corner of the Foothill Boulevard and Indianola Way intersection. The property contains a two-story commercial building is a colonial revival style structure, including architectural features such as a symmetrical façade, full-width second floor veranda, white columns and railings, and a red brick exterior.

The building currently contains a yellow, illuminated wall sign on the front façade and a monument sign at the corner of the lot with a red background and yellow lettering. A parking lot surrounds the building to the west side and northern rear, with the primary pedestrian entrances located on the western and eastern sides of the building. Within the scope of the request, the existing signs will be replaced with signage of a different color palette to adhere to changes to Wells Fargo’s national brand and a new secondary wall sign will be installed on the west entrance of the building with a likeness similar to the new primary wall sign on the front of the building face. The property also contains existing directional signs that are being replaced with new signs in the same locations, indicating the entrances and exits for the parking lot and ATM drive-up service lanes.

Discussion/Analysis:

New Wall Signs
Two new wall signs are proposed within the scope of the request. The first wall sign is a replacement of the existing 21 square-foot illuminated wall sign, which reads “WELLS FARGO” in yellow acrylic lettering on the front of the building facing Foothill Boulevard. The replacement sign maintains the “WELLS FARGO” business name displayed on the existing signage, and both contain acrylic illuminated channel letters, ½-inch returns, and Clarendon serif font. However, the new replacement sign is marginally larger with a proposed sign area of 24 square feet and new 18-inch-high red lettering which is replacing the existing yellow lettering. The replacement wall sign is shown in the

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following image:

In addition to the replacement of the existing wall sign, a new non-illuminated wall sign is proposed on the side of the building above the west entrance. The new sign reads “WELLS FARGO” in the same serif font as the wall sign facing Foothill Boulevard, has a proposed signage area of five (5) square feet, eight-inch-high solid red letters, and 3/8-inch returns. Currently, no signage exists for the entrances on the western and eastern sides of the building. The new wall sign will face the western portion of the parking lot that maintains access from Foothill Boulevard. No new wall sign is proposed on the eastern side of the building. The new wall sign is shown in the following image:

New Monument Sign
At the southeast corner of the lot, the request includes the replacement, or refacing, of an existing monument sign with a new monument sign of the same size, dimensions, background, and lettering, but with new white lettering that will replace the existing yellow lettering to match Wells Fargo’s national branding changes. The new sign maintains a red background, white ten-inch-high lettering that reads “WELLS FARGO,” and an overall signage thickness of two inches. The monument sign is 5’-7” tall and 5’-4” wide, which complies with the 6’-0” and 8’-0” height and width requirements for ground signs, respectively. In addition, the new monument sign has a proposed sign area of 22 square feet which complies with the 30 square-foot allowance for ground signs. The replacement monument sign is shown in the following image:

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New Directional Signs
Five (5) existing directional signs are being replaced with new signs at the Foothill Boulevard and Indianola Way entrance and exit, as well as the ATM drive-up service lane entrance. Directional signs are exempt from review under Zoning Code Section 11.37; however, the proposed replacement directional signs exceed maximum parameters, specifically size and height limits, that allow directional signs to be exempted from Design Commission considerations and are subject to Design Review approval. Per Zoning Code Section 11.37 – Sign Regulations, to be considered a review-exempt sign, directional on-site signage is limited to one sign per vehicular entrance or exit, no exceeding two square feet in area or three feet in height from grade to top of sign. Though the five proposed directional signs each have a maximum height of three feet and are located at a vehicular entrance or exit, the signs are four square feet in area and cannot be exempted from review. However, the directional signs are largely like-for-like replacements in the location of the existing signs with only changes to color and size and are not externally or internally illuminated. The change to the directional signage will not impact nearby businesses or other signage, will not pose a risk or hazard to pedestrians and vehicles, and are introduced to replace existing worn and weathered signage with new signs of greater contrast that improve visibility of the directional information presented on the signs. The directional signs are illustrated in the project plans on pages nine through 16 of Attachment #2.

Overall, the proposed signage is compliant with Zoning Code Section 11.37 – Sign Regulations, as two wall signs and one monument sign are allowable for each commercial property per code. The property’s maximum allowed signage area is 100 square feet based on the subject building’s 100- foot-long frontage along Foothill Boulevard. The total proposed signage area of 51 square feet, in compliance with the maximum allowed standard for the property. When including the directional signs, the total proposed signage area of 71 square feet is also compliant with the limit for the building. Though the existing wall sign is being replaced with a marginally larger sign, when viewed against the building and sightlines along Foothill Boulevard, this change in signage is not distinctively disruptive to other signage, improves the clarity and legibility of the sign, and the sign remains compliant with all sign requirements in Zoning Code Section 11.37 – Sign Regulations in addition to the replacement monument sign and new wall sign on the western side of the building.

The existing wall and monument signs have experienced wear and weathering, with the new signage remedying this concern while incorporating Wells Fargo’s brand refresh with limited alterations to the existing signage design. In addition, the most prominent and visible entrance from the property’s parking lot on the west side of the building will now contain a new five-square-foot wall sign where one did not previously exist. No other concerns or issues are apparent and positive findings are recommended.

FINDINGS:

The following findings are required for design review approval of signs (Sign Ordinance Sec.

11.37.060.E.1).

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residential uses located to the northeast of the subject lot. The proposed signage will not impact these areas, is consistent with the commercial character along the Foothill Boulevard corridor, and no guidelines or development standards for specialized areas or overlay zones exist or apply to the property that would impact the design and location of the proposed signage. This request includes a standalone signage restoration and remodel project not adopted for the project through conditions of approval or a development agreement for another project. The proposed signage compliments the unique colonial revival architectural style of the existing building, is consistent with signage proposed within the Mixed Use 2 (DVSP) zone, and includes a mix of new and replacement signage that does not significantly alter the character of the area or the property.

B. The design and layout of the proposed signage will not unreasonably interfere with the use and enjoyment of neighboring property, and will not create traffic or pedestrian hazards;
The signage is not located within the public right-of-way, does not include elements of illumination, and will not create traffic or pedestrian hazards. Though the illuminated wall and monument signs are visible to traffic on Foothill Boulevard, it will not introduce adverse impacts or hazards on vehicular traffic due to the proposed design, appropriate and proportional size, and internal and diffused illumination. The window signage is also clear, legible, and will not contribute to a distracting or hazardous appearance. The wall sign on the west side of the building is separated from the United States Postal Service office to the west by the subject property’s parking lot with hedges and vegetation between the property lines. The structure is mostly isolated from all other businesses on the northwest corner of the intersection of Foothill Boulevard and Indianola Way, and due to this, the proposed signage will not interfere with the use of other properties or signage in the area. The new directional signs will replace existing worn and weathered signage with new signs of greater contrast that improve visibility of the directional information presented on the signs and will not create a risk or hazard.

C. The design of the proposed signage is compatible with the character of the surrounding neighborhood and that all reasonable design efforts have been made to maintain the harmonious, orderly, and attractive development contemplated by this title and the general plan;
The new signage is clear and visible to automobiles and pedestrians along Foothill Boulevard, and with the new wall sign located on the west side of the building, this characteristic also applies to customer visibility within the parking lot area. The new illuminated replacement wall sign is marginally increasing in size by three square feet and will be located in the same location as the existing sign with an updated red color. Though red is a regularly discouraged sign color on commercial properties, the red wall signs that are proposed blend effectively with the red brick of the structure and are not of size which would be considered excessive along the building’s front façade.

The white veranda, railing, and columns that act as the immediate background to the new red wall signs provide contrast for legibility and clarity of the logo. The existing monument sign is being replaced with a sign of the same size and red background, but with new white lettering instead of the existing yellow logo to reflect Wells Fargo’s brand refresh. The new directional signs, though proposed with a brighter white background and replacing more recessive grey and red signs, will replace existing worn and weathered signage with new signs of greater contrast that improve visibility of the directional information presented on the signs.

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appealing with the level of maintenance that might reasonably be expected.

The signage is clear, minimal, and understated, consistent with the commercial character of the Foothill Boulevard corridor and the architectural style of the subject commercial building. The existing Wells Fargo wall, monument, and directional signage have been located on the property for approximately 15 years and have weathered overtime. The new signage would allow for a renewed period of new signage on the property for the same business, ensuring that the worn signage is replaced, while incorporating the business’s new branding refresh with signage that is appropriate for the site, building, and nearby area within the Foothill Boulevard commercial corridor.

Recommendation:

It is recommended that the Design Commission take the following action(s):

1. Open the public hearing, receive public testimony, close public hearing and consider; and

2. Adopt Design Commission Resolution No. 26-XX approving Design Review (DEV-2026- 0012) at 555 Foothill Boulevard.

Attachments:

1. Draft Design Commission Resolution No. 26-XX

2. Project Plans

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ATTACHMENT 1

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CITY OF LA CAÑADA FLINTRIDGE
RESOLUTION NO. 26-XX

A RESOLUTION OF THE DESIGN COMMISSION OF THE CITY OF LA CAÑADA FLINTRIDGE APPROVING DESIGN REVIEW (DEV-2026-0012) FOR NEW WALL AND MONUMENT AND GROUND SIGNS AT 555
FOOTHILL BOULEVARD (WELLS FARGO).

WHEREAS, a request by RNF Signs was submitted for Design Review approval for new wall and monument and ground signs at 555 Foothill Boulevard; said request attached hereto and incorporated herein by reference; and WHEREAS, the Design Commission, on May 21, 2026, held a public hearing and considered the request; and
WHEREAS, the Design Commission reviewed the facts contained in the agenda report dated May 21, 2026, regarding the application for Design Review approval at 555 Foothill Boulevard heard and considered the testimony of the applicant and the public; and
WHEREAS, based on the evidence presented by the application materials, staff report, and public testimony, the Design Commission hereby resolves as follows:

Section 1. The above recitals are true and correct, and incorporated herein by reference.

Section 2. Findings Required for Design Review Approval. The Design Commission finds as follows:

A. The design and layout of the proposed signage is consistent with the general plan and any design criteria adopted for specialized areas, such as designated historic or other special districts, planned developments, master plans, or specific plans, or adopted for the project through conditions of approval or development agreements; The signs’ arrangement, material, font style and color work well with the composition of the subject building to provide clear description of the business’s name. The area of the Downtown Village Specific Plan (DVSP) that the property is located in is primary commercial, with the closest residential uses located to the northeast of the subject lot. The proposed signage will not impact these areas, is consistent with the commercial character along the Foothill Boulevard corridor, and no guidelines or development standards for specialized areas or overlay zones exist or apply to the property that would impact the design and location of the proposed signage. This request includes a standalone signage restoration and remodel project not adopted for the project through conditions of approval or a development agreement for another project. The proposed signage compliments the unique colonial revival architectural style of the existing building, is consistent with signage proposed within the Mixed Use 2 (DVSP) zone, and includes a mix of new and replacement signage that

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Design Review (DEV-2026-0012)
Design Commission Resolution
May 21, 2026

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does not significantly alter the character of the area or the property.

B. The design and layout of the proposed signage will accommodate the functions and activities that are proposed for the property, will not unreasonably interfere with the use and enjoyment of neighboring property, and will not create traffic or pedestrian hazards; The signage is not located within the public right-of-way, does not include elements of illumination, and will not create traffic or pedestrian hazards. Though the illuminated wall and monument signs are visible to traffic on Foothill Boulevard, it will not introduce adverse impacts or hazards on vehicular traffic due to the proposed design, appropriate and proportional size, and internal and diffused illumination. The window signage is also clear, legible, and will not contribute to a distracting or hazardous appearance. The wall sign on the west side of the building is separated from the United States Postal Service office to the west by the subject property’s parking lot with hedges and vegetation between the property lines. The structure is mostly isolated from all other businesses on the northwest corner of the intersection of Foothill Boulevard and Indianola Way, and due to this, the proposed signage will not interfere with the use of other properties or signage in the area.

C. The architectural design of the proposed signage is compatible with the character of the surrounding neighborhood and that all reasonable design efforts have been made to maintain the harmonious, orderly, and attractive development contemplated by this title and the general plan; The new signage is clear and visible to automobiles and pedestrians along Foothill Boulevard, and with the new wall sign located on the west side of the building, this characteristic also applies to customer visibility within the parking lot area.

The new illuminated replacement wall sign is marginally increasing in size by three square feet and will be located in the same location as the existing sign with an updated red color.

Though red is a regularly discouraged sign color on commercial properties, the red wall signs that are proposed blend effectively with the red brick of the structure and are not of size which would be considered excessive along the building’s front façade. The white veranda, railing, and columns that act as the immediate background to the new red wall signs provide contrast for legibility and clarity of the logo. The existing monument sign is being replaced with a sign of the same size and red background, but with new white lettering instead of the existing yellow logo to reflect Wells Fargo’s brand refresh. The new directional signs, though proposed with a brighter white background and replacing more recessive grey and red signs, will replace existing worn and weathered signage with new signs of greater contrast that improve visibility of the directional information presented on the signs.

D. The design of the proposed signage will provide a desirable environment for its occupants and visiting public as well as its neighbors and that it is aesthetically of good composition, materials, texture, and color that will remain aesthetically appealing with the level of maintenance that might reasonably be expected. The signage is clear, minimal, and understated, consistent with the commercial character of the Foothill Boulevard corridor and the architectural style of the subject commercial building. The existing Wells Fargo wall, monument, and directional signage have been located on the property for approximately 15 years and have weathered overtime. The new signage would allow for a renewed period of new signage on the property for the same business, ensuring that the worn signage is

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Design Review (DEV-2026-0012)
Design Commission Resolution
May 21, 2026

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replaced, while incorporating the business’s new branding refresh with signage that is appropriate for the site, building, and nearby area within the Foothill Boulevard commercial corridor.

Section 3. Based on the above findings, the Design Commission of the City of La Cañada Flintridge hereby approves Design Review (DEV-2026-0012) for a new wall and monument and ground signs at 555 Foothill Boulevard, subject to the conditions of approval listed in Exhibit “A”, attached to this resolution.

PASSED, APPROVED AND ADOPTED this 21st day of May, 2026

_________________________________________
Ara Markari
Chair of the Design Commission
ATTEST:
________________________________________
Antonio Gardea
Secretary to the Design Commission

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Design Review (DEV-2026-0012)
Design Commission Resolution
May 21, 2026

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EXHIBIT “A”

CONDITIONS OF APPROVAL
Design Review (DEV-2026-0012)
555 Foothill Boulevard

2. This approval is granted for the land or land use as described in the application and any attachments thereto, and as shown on the plans submitted, labeled Design Review (DEV-2026-0012).

Nothing in this definition shall be construed to alter the applicable legal standards for determining when vested property rights to complete the project have arisen.

6. All applicable requirements of any law, ordinance, or regulation of the City of La Cañada Flintridge shall be complied with.

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Design Review (DEV-2026-0012)
Design Commission Resolution
May 21, 2026

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7. This approval is subject to the applicant paying all fees and assessments to the City of La Cañada Flintridge, as established by ordinance, resolution or policy of the City Council.

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Design Review (DEV-2026-0012)
Design Commission Resolution
May 21, 2026

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State of California )
County of Los Angeles ) ss.

City of La Cañada Flintridge )
I, Antonio Gardea, Secretary to the Design Commission of the City of La Cañada Flintridge, California, DO HEREBY CERTIFY that the foregoing Resolution No. 26-XX was duly adopted by the Design Commission of the City of La Cañada Flintridge at a regular meeting held on the 21st day of May, 2026, by the following vote:

AYES: COMMISSIONER:

NOES: COMMISSIONER:

ABSENT: COMMISSIONER:

ABSTAIN: COMMISSIONER:

Dated: May 21, 2026
______________________________
Antonio Gardea, AICP
Secretary to the Design Commission

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ATTACHMENT 2

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Virginia Beach, VA 23452
757.427.1900
Toll Free: 800.877.7868
www.AGI.net

BRANDBOOK
BE #

LA CANADA
144444
555 FOOTHILL BLVD,
LA CANADA, CA 91011
02/23/2026
Brand Book Approval
LL Required Change(s)
Permit Change(s)
Revision Log
Date Requested Revision Requested by
02/23/26 Added closer photo renderings Municipality
Ready for approval authority.

This is not a final approval. Page 188 of 414 Page 31 of 46

SIGN LEGEND
SITE PLAN N.T.S
SIGN # EXISTING SIGN SF RECOMMENDED SIGN SF QTY
E01 Monument 21.8 WFR2-M-22-NI-WR 22 1
E02 Channel Letters 20 WFR2-RCH-RW-FHI-H-18 24 1
E03 None WFR2-RCPL-H-8 51
E02 E01 NE03
NE03
E06 Directional WFR2-EW-DS-PM-28-36 1
E07 Directional WFR2-EW-DS-PM-28-36 1
E08 Directional WFR2-EW-DS-PM-28-36 1
E06
E08
E22 Directional WFR2-EW-DS-PM-28-36 1
E23 Directional WFR2-EW-DS-PM-28-36 1
E07
E22 E23

3.89 3.89

3.89

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SIGN TYPE

BACK SIDE BACK SIDE
EXISTING CONDITIONS SCALE: NTS PROPOSED CONDITIONS SCALE: NTS ARTISTIC REPRESENTATION ONLY. DUE TO PERSPECTIVE AND DISTORTION ISSUES INHERENT IN PHOTOS, ACCURACY IS NOT GUARANTEED E01 WFR2-M-22-NI-WR
63 7/8"
49 1/4"
63 7/8"
49 1/4"
63 7/8"
49 1/4"
63 7/8"
49 1/4"
Square Footage: 22 SqFt

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5 '-3
7 /8" 1'-2"
5'-7 1/4"
4'-1 1/4" 1'-6"
EQ EQ 2 1/2" EQ EQ
EQ EQ 10 1/8"
E01 SIGN TYPE WFR2-M-22-NI-WR
Square Footage: 22 SqFt

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PROPOSED ELEVATIONS SCALE: NTS

EXISTING CONDITIONS
ARTISTIC REPRESENTATION ONLY. DUE TO PERSPECTIVE AND DISTORTION ISSUES INHERENT IN PHOTOS, ACCURACY IS NOT GUARANTEED E02 SIGN TYPE
195 1/4"
18"
183"
15 3/4"
Restoration Area: 62.3 SqFt
E02
WFR2-RCH-RW-FHI-H-18
Square Footage: 24 SqFt
195 1/4"
18"

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E02 SIGN TYPE WFR2-RCH-RW-FHI-H-18
SIDE ELEVATION (TYP. UNDER 20")

EXISTING STRUCTURE

RETURNS ARE PAINTED
MP 11477 'WELLS

FARGO WHITE'
1/2" CLEAR ACRYLIC
3 1/2"

DISCONNECT SWITCH

ON RIGHT END, TYPICAL
FRONT ELEVATION (TYP. UNDER 20")

RACEWAY TO BE PAINTED TO MATCH

ADJACENT BUILDING OR CANOPY COLOR
1/2" CLEAR ACRYLIC LETTERS W/ FIRST SURFACE
APPLIED 3M 3630-2538 'WELLS FARGO

ENVIRONMENTS RED' & SECOND SURFACE APPLIED
3M 3735-60 DIFFUSER
-RETURNS ARE PAINTED MP11477 'WELLS FARGO WHITE'

PLAN VIEW
5 1/2"
- -

WHITE FACE ILLUMINATED
WFR2-XCH-RW-FHI-H-18 16'-3 1/4" 1'-6" 2 1/2" 15'-1" 24
QTY CHANNEL LETTER SIZE W H(H1) D R R1 R2 SF
H
R
W
Square Footage: 24 SqFt

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PROPOSED ELEVATIONS SCALE: NTS

EXISTING CONDITIONS
ARTISTIC REPRESENTATION ONLY. DUE TO PERSPECTIVE AND DISTORTION ISSUES INHERENT IN PHOTOS, ACCURACY IS NOT GUARANTEED SIGN TYPE WFR2-RCPL-H-8
86 3/4"
8"
Clearance 11'-10"
NE03
NE03
9 1/2"
124 1/2"
NE03
Square Footage: 5 SqFt
8" 9 1/2"
86 3/4"
124 1/2"

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NE03 SIGN TYPE WFR2-RCPL-H-8
Square Footage: 5 SqFt

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SIGN TYPE
EXISTING CONDITIONS SCALE: NTS PROPOSED CONDITIONS SCALE: NTS ARTISTIC REPRESENTATION ONLY. DUE TO PERSPECTIVE AND DISTORTION ISSUES INHERENT IN PHOTOS, ACCURACY IS NOT GUARANTEED E06 WFR2-EW-DS-PM-28-36
20"
20"
ATM
(Drive-Up)
20"
28"
Square Footage: 3.89 SqFt

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ALL VISIBLE SURFACES OF

POSTS PAINTED WELLS FARGO
ENVIRONMENTS SILVER MP99705,

SATIN FINISH
GRADE

COPY ARE SURFACE APPLIED
NIMBUS GRAY, 3M 7725-101 OPAQUE VINYL
-KISS CUT VINYL LETTERS AND ARROWS
-ALIGNMENT PER SCALED LAYOUT
-TYPEFACE IS ‘WELLS FARGO SANS AND
WELLS FARGO SEMIBOLD’

YELLOW BAND IS SURFACE APPLIED

WELLS FARGO ENVIRONMENTS YELLOW,
3M 7725-4330 OPAQUE VINYL
.090” ALUM. PANEL PAINTED

WELLS FARGO ENVIRONMENTS
WHITE MP11477, SATIN FINISH ON ALL

VISIBLE SURFACES
1 1/2"
GRADE
Teller
(Drive-Up)
ATM
(Drive-Up)
Exit
ATM
(Drive-Up)
8" 28"
36"
1 1/2"
.090"
2 1/2"
2 1/2"
20"
E06 SIGN TYPE WFR2-EW-DS-PM-28-36
Square Footage: 3.89 SqFt

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SIGN TYPE

BACK SIDE BACK SIDE
EXISTING CONDITIONS SCALE: NTS PROPOSED CONDITIONS SCALE: NTS ARTISTIC REPRESENTATION ONLY. DUE TO PERSPECTIVE AND DISTORTION ISSUES INHERENT IN PHOTOS, ACCURACY IS NOT GUARANTEED E07 WFR2-EW-DS-PM-28-36
20"
28"
20"
28"
20"
20"
20"
20"
Square Footage: 3.89 SqFt

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SIGN TYPE

BACK SIDE BACK SIDE
EXISTING CONDITIONS SCALE: NTS PROPOSED CONDITIONS SCALE: NTS ARTISTIC REPRESENTATION ONLY. DUE TO PERSPECTIVE AND DISTORTION ISSUES INHERENT IN PHOTOS, ACCURACY IS NOT GUARANTEED E08 WFR2-EW-DS-PM-28-36
20"
28"
20"
28"
20"
20"
20"
20"
Square Footage: 3.89 SqFt

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ALL VISIBLE SURFACES OF

POSTS PAINTED WELLS FARGO
ENVIRONMENTS SILVER MP99705,

SATIN FINISH
GRADE

COPY ARE SURFACE APPLIED
NIMBUS GRAY, 3M 7725-101 OPAQUE VINYL
-KISS CUT VINYL LETTERS AND ARROWS
-ALIGNMENT PER SCALED LAYOUT
-TYPEFACE IS ‘WELLS FARGO SANS AND
WELLS FARGO SEMIBOLD’

YELLOW BAND IS SURFACE APPLIED

WELLS FARGO ENVIRONMENTS YELLOW,
3M 7725-4330 OPAQUE VINYL
.090” ALUM. PANEL PAINTED

WELLS FARGO ENVIRONMENTS
WHITE MP11477, SATIN FINISH ON ALL

VISIBLE SURFACES
1 1/2"
GRADE
Exit
Exit
8" 28"
36"
1 1/2"
.090"
2 1/2"
2 1/2"
20"
E07 E08 SIGN TYPE WFR2-EW-DS-PM-28-36
Square Footage: 3.89 SqFt

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SIGN TYPE

BACK SIDE BACK SIDE
EXISTING CONDITIONS SCALE: NTS PROPOSED CONDITIONS SCALE: NTS ARTISTIC REPRESENTATION ONLY. DUE TO PERSPECTIVE AND DISTORTION ISSUES INHERENT IN PHOTOS, ACCURACY IS NOT GUARANTEED E22 WFR2-EW-DS-PM-28-36
20"
20"
ATM (Drive-Up)
20"
28"
ATM
(Drive-Up)
20"
28"
20"
20"
Square Footage: 3.89 SqFt

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SIGN TYPE

BACK SIDE BACK SIDE
EXISTING CONDITIONS SCALE: NTS PROPOSED CONDITIONS SCALE: NTS ARTISTIC REPRESENTATION ONLY. DUE TO PERSPECTIVE AND DISTORTION ISSUES INHERENT IN PHOTOS, ACCURACY IS NOT GUARANTEED E23 WFR2-EW-DS-PM-28-36
ATM (Drive-Up)
20"
28"
ATM
(Drive-Up)
20"
28"
20"
20"
20"
20"
Square Footage: 3.89 SqFt

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ALL VISIBLE SURFACES OF

POSTS PAINTED WELLS FARGO
ENVIRONMENTS SILVER MP99705,

SATIN FINISH
GRADE

COPY ARE SURFACE APPLIED
NIMBUS GRAY, 3M 7725-101 OPAQUE VINYL
-KISS CUT VINYL LETTERS AND ARROWS
-ALIGNMENT PER SCALED LAYOUT
-TYPEFACE IS ‘WELLS FARGO SANS AND
WELLS FARGO SEMIBOLD’

YELLOW BAND IS SURFACE APPLIED

WELLS FARGO ENVIRONMENTS YELLOW,
3M 7725-4330 OPAQUE VINYL
.090” ALUM. PANEL PAINTED

WELLS FARGO ENVIRONMENTS
WHITE MP11477, SATIN FINISH ON ALL

VISIBLE SURFACES
1 1/2"
GRADE
Enter Enter
ATM
(Drive-Up)
ATM
(Drive-Up)
8" 28"
36"
1 1/2"
.090"
2 1/2"
2 1/2"
20"
E22 E23 SIGN TYPE WFR2-EW-DS-PM-28-36
Square Footage: 3.89 SqFt

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City Council Agenda Report
Meeting Date: August 4, 2026
Subject: General Plan Amendment (PLAN-2026-0001), Adoption of Updates to the General Plan Open Space and Recreation, Conservation Element, and Circulation Elements
Presenter: Antonio Gardea, Assistant Director of Community Development Proposed Action: Adopt a Resolution finding the Project exempt from the California Environmental Quality Act and approving General Plan Amendment (PLAN-2026-0001), adopting updates of the Open Space and Recreation Element, Conservation Element, and Circulation Element Environmental Impact: With regards to the Circulation Element, the project is determined exempt from the provisions of the California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA) pursuant to Section 15061(b)(3) of the CEQA Guidelines (Common Sense Exemption), as it can be seen with certainty that the proposed activity will not have a significant effect on the environment.

With regards to the Open Space and Recreation Element and the Conservation Element, the project is determined exempt from the provisions of the California Environmental Quality Act pursuant to Section 15061(b)(3) of the CEQA Guidelines (Common Sense Exemption), as it can be seen with certainty that the proposed activity will not have a significant effect on the environment. In addition, the Project also qualifies for the Class 8 categorical exemption pursuant to CEQA Guidelines Section 15308, which applies to actions taken by regulatory agencies for the protection of the environment.

The City has examined the Exceptions to Categorical Exemptions identified within CEQA Guidelines Section 15300.2 and determined that none are applicable
Fiscal Impact: None
Background:

At the June 11, 2026 public hearing, the Planning Commission voted unanimously to recommended that the City Council find the project exempt from CEQA and approve the proposed General Plan amendments. During the public hearing, staff and the consultant team responded to questions regarding: transportation planning efforts and implementation; park acquisition, funding and recreation planning; and conservation policies, wildlife corridor protections balanced against future housing needs. The broader public outreach for the General Plan Update consisted of a community survey and workshop, a dedicated project webpage, stakeholder meetings, and advisory review in

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May and June by the following: Parks and Recreation Commission, Public Works and Traffic Commission, Sustainability and Resilience Commission, as well as the previously mentioned consideration by the Planning Commission.

Discussion/Analysis:

The Open Space and Recreation, Conservation, and Circulation Elements of the City’s General Plan are updated to ensure consistency with current State requirements and to reflect updated community priorities, environmental conditions, and planning practices. Each draft Element serves a distinct role in guiding the City’s long-term development and resource management.

The update of the Circulation, Conservation, and Open Space/Recreation Elements is in response to recently adopted statutory mandates pertaining to freight movement, implementation of completed streets, wildlife connectivity, climate resilience, and equitable access to open space. As indicated above, input from the various commissions was incorporated into the respective, updated draft Elements. The Public Works and Traffic Commission provided comments and edits to the Circulation Element and the Parks and Recreation Commission had two opportunities for feedback on Open Space and Recreation Element. The Sustainability and Resilience Commission had opportunities to review all three draft Elements and provide feedback prior to the Planning Commissions consideration. The following summarize the purpose and updated content of each Element.

Open Space and Recreation Element
The Open Space and Recreation Element establishes a policy framework for preserving and enhancing parks, trails, and recreation facilities while meeting State requirements for open space planning. Although La Cañada Flintridge has limited public parks, the city benefits from a network of trails and proximity to regional resources like the Descanso Gardens and Angeles National Forest.

The update identifies opportunities to improve park access, expand recreational opportunities through partnerships, address athletic field needs, and strengthen trail connectivity. The Open Space and Recreation Element places an emphasis on enhancing parks and trails, preserving the City’s natural character, expanding recreation through shared-use facilities, and improving the trail network, while promoting climate resilience, environmental stewardship, and community health.

Conservation Element
The Conservation Element focuses on conserving La Cañada Flintridge’s natural, scenic, and cultural resources. Opportunities are identified to improve water conservation, watershed protection, habitat connectivity, climate resilience, and preservation of natural and cultural resources. The Conservation Element advances policies related to sustainable management of natural resources, protection of wildlife corridors and the urban forest, stewardship of historic resources and long-term environmental sustainability.

Circulation Element
The Circulation Element Update is limited to addressing statutory mandates related to multimodal transportation, identification of truck routes, and revisions to the City’s bicycle facilities, trails, and transit maps. Specific policy goals were better management of truck operations along Foothill Boulevard and maintaining goods movement to higher capacity commercial areas. Multimodal mobility, including walking, bicycling, trails, transit access, and future active transportation planning are highlighted as improvements for safety, connectivity, and access to schools, parks, and businesses.

Community facilities and public infrastructure are limited within the City. Accordingly, the updates to these Elements concentrate more on the preservation and enhancement of existing resources, creative ways to increase park space, improved system connectivity, and coordinated planning.

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Options:

1. Adopt a Resolution finding the project exempt from CEQA and approve General Plan Amendment (PLAN-2026-0001), adopting updates of the General Plan’s Open Space and Recreation Element, Conservation Element, and Circulation Element; or

2. Defer action at this time.

Recommendation:

Option No. 1 - It is recommended that the City Council take the following action: Adopt a Resolution finding the Project exempt from the CEQA and approve General Plan Amendment (PLAN-2026- 0001), adopting updates of the General Plan’s Open Space and Recreation Element, Conservation Element, and Circulation Element.

Attachments:

1. City Council Resolution 26-XX (General Plan Amendment-PLAN 2026-0001)

2. Circulation Element Update - Draft

3. Open Space Element Update - Draft

4. Conservation Element Update - Draft

5. CEQA Exemption Memorandum - Circulation Element

6. CEQA Exemption Memorandum - Conservation / Open Space & Recreation Elements

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RESOLUTION NO. 26-XX
A RESOLUTION OF THE CITY OF LA CAÑADA FLINTRIDGE CITY COUNCIL,

CALIFORNIA, FINDING THE PROJECT EXEMPT FROM THE CALIFORNIA

ENVIRONMENTAL QUALITY ACT AND APPROVING THE GENERAL PLAN AMENDMENT (PLAN-2026-0001) ADOPTING AN UPDATE OF THE

GENERAL PLAN OPEN SPACE AND RECREATION ELEMENT,

CONSERVATION ELEMENT, AND CIRCULATION ELEMENT
WHEREAS, Government Code Section 65300 requires that local agencies adopt General Plans containing specific mandatory elements that provide for the comprehensive, long-term physical development of the county or city; and WHEREAS, Government Code Section 65358 permits the amendment of all or part of an adopted General Plan if the legislative body deems it to be in the public interest; and
WHEREAS, the City of La Cañada Flintridge General Plan Open Space and Recreation Element, Conservation Element, and Circulation Element was adopted in 2013 as part of the General Plan Update; and
WHEREAS, Government Code Section 65358 allows for the amendment of any mandatory element of the adopted General Plan not more than four times during any calendar year. The City’s General Plan’s Open Space and Recreation Element, Conservation Element, and Circulation Element have not been amended within calendar year 2026; therefore, the proposed amendment would not result in a violation of Government Code §65358(b); and
WHEREAS, the City now desires to update the Open Space and Recreation Element, in accordance with Government Code Section 65302(e); and WHEREAS, the City now desires to update the Conservation Element in accordance with Government Code Section 65302(d); and
WHEREAS, the City now desires to update the Circulation Element in accordance with Government Code Section 65302(b); and
WHEREAS, the City Council reviewed the General Plan Conservation Element and Open Space and Recreation Element Updates and finds that the Project consists of policy-level updates that do not authorize development, construction activities, or physical changes to the environment; and further finds, based on the whole record, that there is no possibility that the Project may have a significant effect on the environment and, therefore, the Project is exempt from the California Environmental Quality Act pursuant to State CEQA Guidelines Section 15061(b)(3) (Common Sense Exemption). In addition, the project qualified for the Section 15308 (Class 8 Categorical Exemption) which applies

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to actions taken by a regulatory agency for the protection of the environment.

WHEREAS, the City Council reviewed the General Plan Circulation Element Update and finds that the Project consists of policy-level updates that do not authorize development, construction activities, or physical changes to the environment; and further finds, based on the whole record, that there is no possibility that the Project may have a significant effect on the environment and, therefore, the Project is exempt from the California Environmental Quality Act pursuant to State CEQA Guidelines Section 15061(b)(3) (Common Sense Exemption).

WHEREAS, pursuant to Senate Bill 18 a formal notice was sent to California Native American Tribes of the opportunity to consult on the City’s General Plan Update.

WHEREAS, a community survey was conducted from September 24, 2025, until November 4, 2025; a community workshop was held for the public on October 28, 2025; a presentation to Parks and Recreation Commission was held on November 12, 2025; and a meeting with Arroyo Foothill Conservancy on November 24, 2025 as part of a comprehensive public outreach and stakeholder engagement process.

WHEREAS, the documents were posted online and open to public review from May 21, 2026 to August 4, 2026 for consideration by the Parks and Recreation Commission, Public Works and Traffic Commission and the Sustainability and Resilience Commission at their respective regular meetings; and
WHEREAS, on June 11, 2026, at a duly noticed public hearing, the Planning Commission adopted Resolution No. 26-25 recommending that the City Council approve the General Plan Amendments; and
WHEREAS, on August 4, 2026, the City Council conducted a public hearing on the General Plan Amendments, and has heard and considered the testimony of the public; including any written correspondence received, with all testimony received being made a part of the public record; and
WHEREAS, all legal prerequisites to the adoption of this Resolution have occurred.

NOW, THEREFORE, THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF LA CAÑADA

FLINTRIDGE, CALIFORNIA, DOES HEREBY RESOLVE, DETERMINE, AND ORDER AS FOLLOWS:

Section 1. The above recitals above are true and correct, and incorporated herein by reference.

Section 2. CALIFORNIA ENVIRONMENTAL QUALITY ACT. Based upon the foregoing facts and based upon substantial evidence, the City Council find as follows:

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a. With regards to the Circulation Element, pursuant to the California Environmental Quality Act (“CEQA”) and the City’s Local CEQA Guidelines, an Exemption Memorandum for the project was prepared where it was determined that there is no possibility that the activity in question may have a significant effect on the environment.

Based on that determination the project is exempt from CEQA pursuant to Section 15061(b)(3) of the CEQA Guidelines (Common Sense Exemption). b. With regards to the Open Space and Recreation Element and the Conservation Element, pursuant to the California Environmental Quality Act (“CEQA”) and the City’s Local CEQA Guidelines, an Exemption Memorandum for the project was prepared where it was determined that there is no possibility that the activity in question may have a significant effect on the environment. Based on that determination the project is exempt from CEQA pursuant to Section 15061(b)(3) of the CEQA Guidelines (Common Sense Exemption). In addition, the Project also qualifies for the Class 8 categorical exemption pursuant to CEQA Guidelines Section 15308, which applies to actions taken by regulatory agencies for the protection of the environment. The project will conserve biological resources and open space, support wildlife movements and habitat connectivity, promote climate resilience and sustainable resource management strategies, preserve parks, recreational resources and natural systems and minimize environmental impacts associated with future land use and development decisions. The City has examined the Exceptions to Categorical Exemptions identified within CEQA Guidelines Section 15300.2 and determined that none are applicable. c. The City Council finds that there is no substantial evidence that the revisions and updates to the General Plan Circulation, Conservation, and Open Space and Recreation Elements will have a significant effect on the environment and that the General Plan amendments are exempt from CEQA.
d. The custodian of records for the Exemption Memorandum and all other materials which constitute the record of proceedings upon which the City Council’s decision is based, is the Director of Community Development of the City of La Cañada Flintridge. Those documents are available for public review at the Planning Division of the City of La Cañada Flintridge located at One Civic Center Drive, La Cañada Flintridge, California, 91011, telephone (818) 790-8881.

Section 3. Findings for General Plan Amendment: The City Council hereby finds as follows:
a. The Open Space and Recreation Element Update is consistent with the goals, objective and policies of the General Plan, including OSRE Goal 1.0: Create an integrated, connected system of parks, recreation facilities, open space, and trails that serve residents of all ages and abilities while protecting the City’s natural resources, OSRE Policy 1.1: Plan, develop, and maintain a cohesive parkland system that balances active recreation, passive open space, trails, and natural resource protection and reflects community needs and demographic trends, OSRE Goal 2.0: Preserve, protect, and enhance open space areas within and adjacent to the City to maintain hillside

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character, conserve scenic and natural landscapes, support public health and safety, and promote climate resilience, OSRE Policy 2.1: Conserve and manage open space through land use designation, development controls, and coordinated planning to maintain hillside character, protect scenic landscapes, and support compatible lowimpact public access, and OSRE Policy 1.3: Strengthen physical and functional connections between parks, open spaces, trails, neighborhoods, schools, and regional destinations through coordinated pedestrian, bicycle, and trail planning. b. The Conservation Element Update is consistent with the goals, objective and policies of the General Plan, including CNE GOAL 1.0: Preserve and conserve natural resources in the community, CNE Goal 2: Preserve and strengthen habitat connectivity, native ecosystems, and the urban forest to support biodiversity, climate resilience, and community safety while balancing wildfire risk reduction, CNE Policy 2.1:

Protect and enhance biological resources, including native vegetation communities, wildlife habitat, and ecological connectivity while balancing wildfire safety and protection of life and property, CNE Action 2.1.3: Require, through applicable zoning, development standards, and environmental review processes, that new development adjacent to sensitive biological resources or open space areas incorporates appropriate buffers, habitat-sensitive site design, and native landscaping compatible with adjacent ecosystems, while meeting wildfire defensible space requirements, and CNE GOAL 3:

Preserve natural landforms, scenic resources, and community character that define the foothill setting.
c. The Circulation Element Update is consistent with the goals, objective and policies of the General Plan, including CE GOAL 1: Maintain a safe, multi-modal, efficient, economical, and aesthetically pleasing circulation system providing for the circulation of people, goods, and services to serve the existing and future needs of the City of La Cañada Flintridge, CE Objective 1.1: Assure that local and regional traffic demands are met in a way that is consistent with and preserves the City’s character as reflected in Vision 2030, CE Policy 1.1.1: Establish and maintain a circulation network that supports the Land Use Element of the General Plan, CE GOAL 3: Provide and maintain public infrastructure and utilities that support existing and planned land uses and development in a cost-effective and responsible manner, CE GOAL 6: Promote active and multimodal (non-motorized) transportation and CE Objective 6.4: Implement multi-modal transportation actions that support a balanced transportation system, improve accessibility and safety for all users, and reduce reliance on single-occupancy vehicle travel.

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Section 4. Based on the above findings, the City Council adopts General Plan Amendment (PLAN-2026-0001) for updates of the General Plan Open Space and Recreation Element, Conservation Element, and Circulation Element.

PASSED, APPROVED AND ADOPTED this 4
th day of August, 2026.
________________________________
Jeanne Kim Hobson
Mayor
ATTEST:
_________________________
Tania Garcia
City Clerk
APPROVED AS TO FORM:

ALESHIRE & WYNDER, LLP
______________________________
Adrian Guerra, City Attorney

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General Plan—May 2026 6-1

6.0 CIRCULATION ELEMENT

6.1 Introduction
The Circulation Element of La Cañada Flintridge’s General Plan is intended to guide the development of the City’s circulation system in a manner that is compatible with the Land Use Element. Due to the importance of a well-planned circulation system, the State has mandated the adoption of a citywide Circulation Element since 1955. The current State mandate for a Circulation Element is found in Government Code section 65302(b), which states that the General Plan shall include:
... a circulation element consisting of the general location and extent of existing and proposed major thoroughfares, transportation routes, terminals, and other local public utilities and facilities, all correlated with the land use element of the plan.

To help meet the future demands and achieve balanced growth, the City has adopted specific goals, objectives, and policies, which serve as the basis for the Circulation Element.

6.1.1 Related Plans and Programs

6.1.1.1 Connect SoCal 2024
The Southern California Association of Governments Regional Transportation Plan/Sustainable Communities Strategy (RTP/SCS), currently known as Connect SoCal 2024, serves as the long-range regional vision for transportation, land use, mobility, and sustainability across Southern California. It identifies the region’s transportation priorities and major projects over a 20- to 30-year horizon, including highways, transit, active transportation, and goods movement improvements. The RTP/SCS itself does not directly fund projects, but it establishes the framework and priorities that guide future funding decisions.

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City of La Cañada Flintridge Chapter 6. Circulation Element General Plan—July 2026 6-2
Projects generally need to be included in or consistent with the RTP/SCS to be eligible for many federal and state funding programs.

6.1.1.2 Connect SoCal Project List
The Connect SoCal 2024 Project List provides the long-range regional transportation investment framework for Southern California and includes both funded and future transportation projects. At its core is the Federal Transportation Improvement Program (FTIP), which identifies near-term federally funded and regionally significant projects programmed for implementation within the first six years of the plan. State-funded transportation projects included in the State Transportation Improvement Program (STIP), including the Regional Transportation Improvement Program (RTIP), are reviewed for consistency with the RTP/SCS before inclusion in the FTIP.

Together, these programs create an integrated framework in which the RTP/SCS establishes regional transportation priorities, while the FTIP, STIP, RTIP, and specialized funding programs such as the Highway Safety Improvement Program (HSIP) provide mechanisms for project funding and implementation.

Several regional transportation improvement projects are included in the Connect SoCal 2024 Project List under FTIP projects, meaning the funding has been identified for these projects. These include:
• The Foothill Boulevard Link Bikeway and Pedestrian Greenbelt Project is approximately 1.5 miles of Class II bike lanes along Foothill Boulevard between Briggs Avenue and Alta Cañada Road, along with bike and bus facility improvements, a raised median, and approximately 0.5 miles of pedestrian greenbelt enhancements, including lighting and landscaping. • The I-210 Soundwall Improvement Project includes the design and construction of multiple soundwall segments along Interstate 210 to reduce freeway noise impacts on nearby residential communities.

Improvements include segments along the north side of I-210 between Waltonia Drive and Glenhaven Drive, between La Granada Way and Vista Place, between La Cañada Boulevard and Angeles Crest Highway, and between Commonwealth Avenue and Oakwood Avenue.
• I-210 Eastbound Soundwall Phase 2 Project includes the design and construction of an additional soundwall segment along the eastbound side of I-210 as part of the Soundwall Project Phase 2 program to further reduce traffic noise impacts within the City.
• I-210 Bridge Overpass Soundwall Improvement Project includes soundwall improvements along eastbound and westbound I-210 near the

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City of La Cañada Flintridge Chapter 6. Circulation Element General Plan—July 2026 6-3
Alta Cañada Road and Foothill Boulevard bridge overpasses. The project is intended to reduce existing traffic noise levels affecting surrounding neighborhoods in La Cañada Flintridge.

6.1.1.3 Congestion Management Program (CMP)
Under California State law, every county with an urbanized area of 50,000 or more must adopt a Congestion Management Program (CMP). The CMP has been implemented locally by the Los Angeles County Metropolitan Transportation Authority (Metro). The Los Angeles County CMP identifies major corridors to monitor levels of service and congestion throughout the County. Corridors include all freeways, selected major arterial roadways, and intersections. La Cañada Flintridge contains the following roadways and intersections that are monitored as part of the CMP program:
 Foothill (Interstate 210 [I-210]) Freeway
 Glendale (State Route 2 [SR-2]) Freeway
 Angeles Crest Highway (SR-2)
 Angeles Crest Highway/I-210 Westbound Ramp Intersection The intersection of Angeles Crest Highway/I-210 Westbound Ramps operates at level of service (LOS) A during the AM peak hour and LOS B during the PM peak hour. CMP monitoring methodologies are distinct from those used to determine roadway LOS in this General Plan.

6.2 Setting
The City is situated between the foothills of the San Gabriel Mountains and the Angeles National Forest to the north, and the San Rafael Hills to the south. A well-established roadway network allows residents and commuters to travel within the City and provides connectivity to surrounding cities such as Glendale, Pasadena, and Los Angeles. La Cañada Flintridge is served by two major regional freeways (I-210 and SR-2), a local roadway network with relatively few arterial streets, and several transit lines.

6.3 Baseline Circulation System
This section describes the City’s local roadway system, transit system, bicycle paths, goods movement infrastructure, and parking availability. Since La Cañada Flintridge is predominantly a hillside residential community with

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City of La Cañada Flintridge Chapter 6. Circulation Element General Plan—July 2026 6-4
limited through arterial access, the street system is comprised of primarily residential and residential collector roadways, with only a few arterials. The City also has a network of riding and hiking trails that traverse the community.

6.3.1 Regional Freeways
The two freeways that traverse the City are under the jurisdiction of the California Department of Transportation (Caltrans) and provide regional access to the greater Los Angeles area:
 The Foothill Freeway, I-210, is a
regional east–west limited-access
facility between Interstate 5 (I-5) in
Sylmar to the west and Pasadena
and San Bernardino County to the
east. In the City, the I-210 Freeway
has four travel lanes in each
direction with interchange ramps
at the Glendale (SR-2) Freeway,
Angeles Crest Highway (SR-2), Gould Avenue (half-interchange), Foothill Boulevard (half-interchange), and Berkshire Place.
 The Glendale Freeway, SR-2, is a regional north–south limited-access facility that extends from the I-210 in the City to Glendale and Los Angeles in the south. In the City, SR-2 has four to five travel lanes in each direction with interchange ramps at the I-210, Verdugo Boulevard, and Foothill Boulevard.

6.3.2 Roadway Classifications
Five general roadway classifications are used to designate the public streets within the roadway network of La Cañada Flintridge: Primary, Major, Collector, Residential Collector, and Local
Residential. The first four of these
categories are considered part of
the City’s General Plan circulation
network because their function is to
move traffic efficiently from one
part of the City to another as well
as in and out of the City. Local
residential streets and private
roadways, in contrast, provide
direct access to adjacent properties.

Foothill Freeway approaching SR-2
Foothill Boulevard at Verdugo Boulevard

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Figure CE-1 illustrates the Primary, Major, Collector, and Residential Collector roadways. Foothill Boulevard east of I-210, while classified as a Major Roadway, is indicated as a “Special Major” Roadway because of its limited width. Figure CE-2 illustrates the typical cross-sections of all of the roadway classifications in the City. The following sections describe the classifications.

6.3.2.1 Primary Roadway
This classification has an ideal 80-foot curb-to-curb width within a 100-foot rightof-way. A four-lane, divided roadway can be provided within this street section, based on the typical section shown in Figure CE-2. However, the actual design may vary depending on the specific roadway needs. In some cases, the curb-tocurb width may change to best accommodate the overall transportation system and topography, but the right-of-way needs are expected to remain constant.

The following are the roadways designated as Primary Roadways in the City:
 Foothill Boulevard is the only regional arterial street in the City. It traverses the City in a generally east–west orientation with two travel lanes in each direction. It is a Primary Roadway west of the I-210 interchange. Foothill Boulevard is generally divided by a raised or painted median. The street is the primary commercial thoroughfare and provides access to the downtown area of the City. It also has a halfinterchange to/from the east with the I-210 Freeway near its eastern terminus.
 Verdugo Boulevard provides east–west access between the communities of Montrose and La Crescenta to the west and the downtown area to the east. It is a Primary Roadway only west of Alta Canyada Road. With two travel lanes in each direction, Verdugo Boulevard is divided by a painted median. The arterial has a half-interchange with the SR-2 Freeway to/from the south.
 Angeles Crest Highway provides north–south access to the downtown area at its south end and the Angeles National Forest to its north. It serves as SR-2 north of the I-210 Freeway. It has two travel lanes in each direction within the City and is divided by a raised or painted median.

Angeles Crest Highway has a full-access interchange with the I-210 Freeway.

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6.3.2.2 Major Roadway
A Major Roadway generally has an ideal 80-foot right-of-way width, but the street width may vary to accommodate the distinctive transportation needs of the specific area. There is one Special Major section on Foothill Boulevard, east of Crown Avenue. This section needs to provide a higher function than a Residential Collector, but has existing right-of-way and roadway constraints.

The following are the roadways designated as Major Roadways:
 Foothill Boulevard east of the I-210 interchange is classified as a Major Roadway to its terminus at Oak Grove Drive. It is divided by double yellow striping.
 Verdugo Boulevard east of Alta Canyada Road is classified as a Major Roadway, with one lane in each direction from Alta Canyada Road to Foothill Boulevard and is divided with double yellow striping.  Alta Canyada Road south of Foothill Boulevard provides north–south access to the west of the downtown area toward Descanso Gardens south of Verdugo Boulevard. It has one lane in each direction and is divided by double yellow striping.
 Descanso Drive provides east–west access southwest of the downtown area to Descanso Gardens south of Verdugo Boulevard. It has one lane in each direction and is divided by double yellow striping.  Gould Avenue north of Foothill Boulevard provides north–south access to the east of the downtown area with one travel lane in each direction. It has a half-interchange (to/from the west) with the I-210 and is divided by a painted median.
 Oak Grove Drive provides north–south access along the far eastern edge of the City. It has two travel lanes in each direction with raised and painted medians. The street primarily provides access to the NASA Jet Propulsion Laboratory (JPL), La Cañada High School, and the Flintridge Riding Club. Only a portion of Oak Grove Drive is within La Cañada Flintridge city limits.
 Berkshire Place between Berkshire Avenue and Oak Grove Drive provides east–west access to the I-210 via a full interchange west of Oak Grove Drive. It has one travel lane in each direction west of the eastbound freeway ramps and two lanes in each direction east of these ramps. Berkshire Place is divided by double yellow striping.

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6.3.2.3 Collector
Collector roadways are designed to carry traffic between local streets and the arterial street network. The typical right-of-way dimension is 88 feet with a 68-foot curb-to-curb width. The typical designated roadway width allows for on-street parking or a center left-turn lane. Currently, the only collector roadway in the City of La Cañada Flintridge is Town Center Drive east of Angeles Crest Highway (45 feet curb to curb), providing parallel capacity to Foothill Boulevard. It has one travel lane in each direction, with a painted median, and is located south of the I210 Freeway.

6.3.2.4 Residential Collector
Residential Collector roadways are residential in nature due to surrounding development but are also designed to carry traffic between local streets and the arterial street network. The typical right-of-way dimension is 60 feet with a 40-foot curb-to-curb width. However, some streets have different widths and are still classified as Residential Collectors. The typical designated roadway widths allow for on-street parking or, in rare cases, a left-turn lane. Examples of residential collectors are: Oakwood Avenue north of Foothill, Lynnhaven west of Oakwood Avenue, Hillard Avenue north of Foothill Boulevard, Alta Cañada Road north of Foothill Boulevard, and La Canyada Boulevard north of Foothill to El Vago Street.

6.3.2.5 Local Residential
Local residential roadways provide direct access to adjacent properties, short distance intra-neighborhood traffic, and access to higher classification roads and streets. The ideal local residential right-of-way is 52 feet wide, while the minimum is shown as 44 feet wide. “Ideal” and “minimum” cross-sections are shown in Figure CE-2, giving the preferred design compared to existing conditions in some locations. Although many existing areas do not meet this ideal, it may be beneficial to have a desired street section for new development or redevelopment. The ideal cross-section may not always be feasible but would provide for multiple modes of transportation including pedestrians, bicyclists, and vehicles. It can be beneficial to obtain the ideal right-of-way for short sections, even if the overall street improvements are not provided until a future date. The minimum right-of-way provides an interim section, which can allow a phased widening for areas that fall below the minimum standard and for which widening to the ideal is not feasible in the foreseeable future, and does not mean the entire width of right-of-way will be paved. The City may allow flexibility in the Local Residential cross-sections

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in consideration of several factors, including terrain and developable lands areas, context of the roadway in comparison to land uses, among others.

6.3.2.6 Private Roadways
Private roadways are neighborhood roadways not dedicated to the City and not maintained by the City. These streets are typically maintained by a homeowners’ association. They must be designed to City standards for emergency access and accessibility.

6.3.3 Roadway Capacities
Table CE-1 presents the maximum operational daily traffic capacity for each roadway classification within the City. The roadway capacities were developed by the Florida Department of Transportation based on road width, number of lanes, and other characteristics, and are used by many jurisdictions across the country.

Table CE-1. Typical Daily Roadway Capacity by Roadway Classification Roadway Classification
Typical Number of Lanes
per Direction
Maximum Operational
Daily Roadway Capacity
Primary Roadway 2 32,900
Major Roadway 1 15,600
Collector 1 15,600
Residential Collector 1 12,600
Local Residential 1 5,000
Source: Florida DOT

6.3.4 Existing Transit System
The City of La Cañada Flintridge is presently served by several bus lines provided by a number of transit systems: Los Angeles Department of Transportation (LADOT), Pasadena Transit , Glendale Beeline, and the City of La Cañada Flintridge (LCF). There is also a Dial-A-Ride service available to seniors and disabled persons. Major bus stops include the park-and-ride lot located on Verdugo Boulevard, adjacent to the SR-2 Freeway southbound onramp, and JPL bus stop. Several bus lines have termini at JPL, and many serve La Cañada Flintridge. The LCF Shuttle is the primary bus line serving the City, with 29 stops along Foothill Boulevard. This service is provided by the City.

Figure CE-3 illustrates these routes.

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6.3.5 Existing Bikeway Facilities
The City recognizes that a safe and effective bikeway network enhances the quality of life for residents, visitors, and employees and encourages bicycle travel for recreation and as an alternative form of transportation. Bikeways are included in the management of the circulation network and are classified according to the location of the facility within the right-of-way. Bikeway classifications include:
 Class I Bikeway: Bike paths provide for bicycle travel on a paved right-ofway completely separated from vehicular or pedestrian traffic.  Class II Bikeway: Bike lanes are striped and stenciled onto a vehicular street. Vehicles are prohibited from entering the bike lane except within 200 feet of making a right turn or turning on or off of the road.  Class III Bikeway: Bike routes provide for shared use with pedestrian or vehicular travel and are identified only by posted signage. Class III bike routes typically share the road alongside vehicular traffic.

Existing bicycle facilities in La Cañada Flintridge are identified on Figure CE-5 and include:
 Class II bike lanes on
Town Center Drive,
Oak Grove Drive,
Descanso Drive, and
Berkshire Place east of
the I-210 Freeway.
 Class II Bike Lane on
Foothill Boulevard
east of SR-2 Ramp to
west of Alta Cañada.
 Class I Bike Lane on
the south side of
Foothill west of SR-2 to east of La Cañada Plaza (Link Project.  Class III route on Berkshire Drive and Chevy Chase Drive between Berkshire Drive and Descanso Drive. Commonwealth north of Foothill to Lynnhaven
 Bicycle racks, bike lockers, and restrooms are located at Mayors’ Discovery Park.

The Los Angeles County Metropolitan Transportation Authority (Metro) identified a key gap in the 2006 Metro Bicycle Transportation Strategic Plan, along Foothill Boulevard between Wentworth in the City of Los Angeles and Bicyclist at Mayor's Discovery Park

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City of La Cañada Flintridge Chapter 6. Circulation Element General Plan—July 2026 6-10
Oak Grove in La Cañada Flintridge. There is an existing Class II route along a portion of this gap, extending from Briggs Avenue to Pennsylvania Avenue, west of the City. As bicycle facilities within the City are completed, the locations may be submitted to Metro for inclusion on the Countywide map. (Link Project)

6.3.6 Existing Trails Network
The City provides access to open space via a network of multi-use trails that enhances the quality of life for the community. The trails network is incomplete at this time, and several projects are planned to link trails in the northern and southern portions of the City, with enhanced connections to the regional trail network. The La Cañada Flintridge Trails Master Plan was adopted on March 6, 2006 by the City Council. According to the Trails Master Plan’s trails inventory, there are approximately 24 miles of existing hiking and riding trails.

Approximately 4 miles of trails are maintained by the City; these trails are currently on City-owned, Southern California Edison (SCE) right-of-way, or Caltrans property. The remaining 20 miles of trails are on County, SCE, federal, and privately owned property; these trails are maintained by the County. Figure CE-4 shows the active trail system in La Cañada Flintridge. The City also adopted a Trails Ordinance in 2006, which outlines conduct on City and non-City owned trails and on property adjoining and abutting trails.

6.3.7 Truck Circulation
The City does not have any designated truck routes. Trucks utilize the freeways, State routes, and Foothill Boulevard as functional truck routes. Commercial trucks with three or more axles or over 4½ tons are prohibited from using Angeles Crest Highway. Given the predominance of local streets in the City and the absence of a grid arterial system, there is not expected to be high demand for through truck traffic on City streets. Truck traffic in La Cañada Flintridge is associated almost exclusively with local deliveries or pick-ups. Due to the absence of designated truck routes, the legal truck route is the shortest distance to the origin/destination from the I-210 or SR-2 freeways, both regionally designated truck routes.

6.3.8 Parking Facilities

6.3.8.1 General Parking Provisions
Chapter 8.10.020 of the City’s Zoning Code describes the off-street parking requirements, regulations, and design standards for various categories of

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residential, commercial, office, and other development projects within the City.

On-street parking is currently permitted on most streets with a few exceptions:
commercial parking is prohibited at night on City streets, and all parking is prohibited on Foothill Boulevard and Angeles Crest Highway at night except by permit. Diagonal on-street parking is
available in portions of the
downtown area along Foothill
Boulevard and Town Center Drive.

A Comprehensive Parking Strategy
Report was completed in 2008. The
purpose of the report is to evaluate
parking conditions along and
adjacent to Foothill Boulevard,
ensure that parking supply can be
managed to meet parking demand in
the business district, and identify
opportunities to increase parking
supply where possible and needed. The report included short-term strategies, code change recommendations, and long-term strategies that will enhance parking availability, which are summarized below.
 Short-term strategies include adding signage and improving the appearance of the Caltrans public parking lot, adding signage for the Farmer’s Market on Foothill Boulevard, reducing the length of bus stops, improving curb markings, and limiting parking to 2 hours along Foothill Boulevard during peak usage periods.
 Code change recommendations include simplifying parking requirements and developing a streamlined process for shared parking between businesses in order to optimize parking availability and minimize curb cuts for entryways to parking lots.
 Long-term strategies include studying the possibility of reverse angled parking in order to increase safety in the Old Town area and establishing agreements between owners of neighboring properties to share parking.

Diagonal Parking on Foothill Boulevard

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6.3.8.2 Park and Ride Facilities
There are two Park and Ride facilities located in the City of La Cañada Flintridge.

One is located on Verdugo Boulevard adjacent to the SR-2 Freeway southbound ramps at the far western edge of the
City. This facility serves commuters
who carpool and those who utilize the
Commuter Express Line 409 to and from
downtown Los Angeles during peak
periods. The second facility is located at
the Mayor’s Discovery Park, at the
intersection of Foothill Boulevard and
the SR-2 Freeway ramps.

6.3.9 Traffic Conditions and Level of Service
This Circulation Element evaluates general traffic flows and levels of service for roadways in the City. Roadway analysis is generally quantified using the total traffic counted during a typical weekday, called the Average Daily Traffic (ADT).

Specific intersection traffic analysis is typically reserved for more specific types of analysis, such as for new development projects or a Specific Plan area.

Intersection traffic analyses use weekday peak-hour traffic volumes as a measure of the performance of intersections at their highest periods of utilization. This Circulation Element does not evaluate the performance of intersections.

6.3.9.1 Level of Service Definitions
Level of service (LOS) is a measure of transportation system performance based upon the ratio of traffic volume relative to the capacity of the roadway or intersection. Roadway capacity is a factor of the number of travel lanes, the presence of left-turn pockets, parking, and other specific attributes. The volumeto-capacity ratio (V/C) indicates the overall performance of the roadway or intersection and corresponds to a rating of A through F, identifying its level of capacity utilization and relative level of congestion. LOS A represents free-flow traffic with little or no delay, whereas LOS F represents a breakdown of traffic flow and a high incidence of delay. Table CE-2 defines and describes the level of service criteria for roadway segments. The City’s acceptable level of service is LOS C or better.

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City of La Cañada Flintridge Chapter 6. Circulation Element General Plan—July 2026 6-13
Table CE-2. Level of Service (LOS) Criteria and Definitions

6.3.9.2 Existing Roadway Conditions—Daily Traffic
Average Daily Traffic volumes are measured as an indicator of daily roadway usage. The ADT can be used to determine adequate capacity and appropriate roadway classification for roadways in the City. Table CE-3 presents 2009 ADT volumes for selected roadway segments in the City of La Cañada Flintridge, along with the daily level of service for each segment.

Table CE-3. Existing Daily Traffic Volumes and Level of Service (20091) Roadway Location
Roadway
Classification
Total
Lanes Capacity ADT V/C2 LOS
Angeles Crest Hwy North of Foothill Blvd Primary
Roadway
4 32,900 16,9123 0.51 A
Foothill Blvd East of Ocean View Blvd Primary
Roadway
4 32,900 23,643 0.72 C
Foothill Blvd East of Hillard Ave Primary
Roadway
4 32,900 15,600 0.47 A
Foothill Blvd East of Verdugo Blvd Primary
Roadway
4 32,900 21,362 0.65 B
Foothill Blvd East of Gould Ave Primary
Roadway
4 32,900 22,670 0.69 B
Descanso Dr West of Chevy Chase Dr Major Roadway 2 15,600 4,460 0.29 A LOS Interpretation/Definition
Volume-toCapacity Ratio
A Free-flow speeds prevail. Vehicles are almost unimpeded in their ability to maneuver within the traffic stream.

0.00–0.60
B Reasonably free-flow speeds are maintained. The ability to maneuver within traffic is only slightly restricted.

0.61–0.70
C Flow with speeds at or near free-flow speed of the roadway. Freedom to maneuver within the traffic stream is noticeably restricted, and lane changes require more care and vigilance on the part of the driver.

0.71–0.80
D Speeds begin to decline slightly with increasing flows. In this range, density begins to increase somewhat more quickly with increasing flow. Freedom to maneuver within the traffic stream is noticeably limited.

0.81–0.90
E Operation at capacity with no usable gaps in the traffic stream. Any disruption to the traffic stream has little or no room to dissipate.

0.91–1.0
F Breakdown of the traffic flow with long queues of traffic. Unacceptable conditions.
>1.0
Source: Los Angeles County METRO 2004 Congestion Management Program

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City of La Cañada Flintridge Chapter 6. Circulation Element General Plan—July 2026 6-14
Roadway Location
Roadway
Classification
Total
Lanes Capacity ADT V/C2 LOS
Gould Ave North of I-210 Westbound
Ramp
Major Roadway 2 15,600 5,926 0.38 A
Oak Grove Dr South of Foothill Blvd Major Roadway 4 31,200 11,709 0.38 A Verdugo Blvd East of Alta Cañada Rd Major Roadway 2 15,600 8,333 0.53 A Alta Cañada Rd North of Foothill Blvd Residential
Collector
2 12,600 1,417 0.11 A
Berkshire Ave East of Commonwealth Ave Residential
Collector
2 12,600 2,346 0.19 A
Chevy Chase Dr South of Berkshire Ave Residential
Collector
2 12,600 2,976 0.24 A
Chevy Chase Dr South of Foothill Blvd Residential
Collector
2 12,600 2,150 0.17 A
Commonwealth Ave South of Foothill Blvd Residential
Collector
2 12,600 1,144 0.09 A
Crown Ave North of Santa Ynez Way Residential
Collector
2 12,600 1,833 0.15 A
Cornishon Ave South of Foothill Blvd Residential
Collector
2 12,600 1,907 0.15 A
Highland Dr East of Chevy Chase Dr Residential
Collector
2 12,600 2,043 0.16 A
Hillard Ave North of Foothill Blvd Residential
Collector
2 12,600 1,900 0.15 A
La Cañada Blvd North of Fairview Dr Residential
Collector
2 12,600 1,535 0.12 A
Ocean View Blvd North of Foothill Blvd Residential
Collector
2 12,600 4,917 0.39 A
1 Although the baseline for the EIR used 2007 data, the 2009 data provided here is not worse than the 2007 data used and therefore the EIR considered the worst-case scenario. 2 Volume-to-capacity ratio 3 2008 ADT, 2009 ADT not available

6.4 Issues and Opportunities
Several issues and opportunities to address and improve circulation in the City were identified as a part of the General Plan update.

6.4.1 Roadway Network
As seen in Table CE-3, all of the study roadway segments are currently operating at LOS C or better. Because there will be future traffic growth on the City’s roadways, it is important that the City adopt an LOS impact standard for its roadways and intersections. An LOS impact standard will allow the City to

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City of La Cañada Flintridge Chapter 6. Circulation Element General Plan—July 2026 6-15
evaluate proposed projects based on the amount by which they degrade the operations of the City’s transportation system. Because many of the City’s roadways are operating at very good levels of service, projects should be evaluated based on their incremental impact on traffic operations on a specific roadway, regardless of the roadway’s LOS.

6.4.2 Trip Reduction
Reducing the number of vehicle trips on the City’s streets has several important benefits. Not only can it improve the efficiency of the circulation system and mitigate the need for costly infrastructure improvements, it can also reduce air pollution and greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions. The City will encourage trip reduction by promoting use of alternative modes of transportation, including walking, transit, and bicycling; encouraging smart growth principles in new and redeveloped projects; and encouraging employers to implement transportation demand management strategies, such as carpooling.

6.4.3 Bicycle Network
The City currently does not have a bike master plan
and will aim to adopt either an Active
Transportation Plan or a Multi-modal Plan.

The Active Transportation Program (ATP) was
created by Senate Bill 99 (Chapter 359, Statutes of
2013) and Assembly Bill 101 (Chapter 354, Statutes of
2013) to encourage, promote, and increase active
modes of transportation. Administered by the
Division of Local Assistance, Office of State
Programs, the ATP receives funding annually from
the Road Maintenance and Rehabilitation Account,
as mandated by Senate Bill 1 (SB 1) (Chapter 2031,
Statutes of 2017). By consolidating disparate programs, such as the Transportation Alternatives Program (TAP), Bicycle Transportation Account (BTA), and Safe Routes to School (SRTS), into a single program, the ATP streamlines efforts to advance California's status as a national leader in fostering active transportation. The ATP supports the development of communitywide bicycle, pedestrian, safe routes to school, and active transportation plans, as well as capital projects and non-infrastructure projects such as education and encouragement activities. However, the ATP is significantly focused on providing funding to disadvantaged communities. It should be noted that the City does not have any disadvantaged communities.

Cyclists crossing, I-210

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6.5 Circulation Plan
The Circulation Plan embodies the approach the City will take to ensure safe and convenient operation of the circulation system and identifies improvements required to accommodate traffic from planned development. As described in the Land Use Element, the proposed changes in land use designations will only moderately increase mixed-use densities along Foothill Boulevard. Development under the Mixed-Use designation, as proposed in the Land Use Element, will not cause significant increases in vehicle trips because development in these areas is expected to attract seniors, and the use of alternative modes of transportation will be encouraged through design and land use planning. Instead, most of the future growth in traffic will be related to regional rather than local growth, and it will occur mainly on Foothill Boulevard.

To mitigate the effects of long-term traffic growth, the use of active, alternative modes of transportation, such as transit, bicycling, and walking, is encouraged to reduce dependency on automobile transportation. The City also recognizes that a safe, well-connected, and
aesthetically pleasing bicycle,
pedestrian, and equestrian
network enhances the quality of
life for those who live, work, and
recreate in La Cañada Flintridge.

As a part of implementation of
the Circulation Plan, the City
will promote the concept of
complete streets, which are
transportation facilities that are
planned, designed, operated, and maintained to provide safe and efficient mobility for users of all ages and abilities, including bicyclists, pedestrians, transit riders, and motorists. Due to geometric constraints, construction of sidewalks is limited within the City.

6.5.1 Master Plan of Streets
The Master Plan of Streets is established with hierarchical roadway designations, physical design standards for the roadway designations, and service standards.

The Master Plan of Streets is shown in Figure CE-1. Review of daily traffic volumes and roadway capacities under the General Plan build-out indicates that, with the exception of one location, the Master Plan of Streets is adequate to accommodate future growth.

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CE Policy 1.2.1 states that the City Council may adopt, based on the recommendations of the City Engineer, a threshold of significance for traffic growth impacts on City roadways and intersections. Transportation Study Guidelines were adopted in November 2025 for vehicle miles traveled and level of service assessment. Thus, a development may have significant traffic impacts if the increment of growth in congestion generated by the development exceeds the adopted threshold for any City roadway or intersection.

Prior to the adoption of the thresholds of significance for traffic impacts in the City, the CMP was used to determine which locations in the Master Plan of Streets would be significantly impacted under General Plan build-out conditions.

As specified in Appendix B.9.1 of the CMP, a significant impact occurs when traffic demand on a facility increases by two percent of capacity (change in V/C ≥ 0.02), causing LOS F (V/C > 1.00). If the facility is already at LOS F, a significant impact occurs when traffic demand on the facility increases by 2 percent of capacity (V/C ≥ 0.02). Development should be monitored and evaluated as it occurs to determine its impacts on the City’s street system.

6.5.2 Public Transportation Plan
A key component of the Circulation Plan is the promotion of public transit as an alternative mode of transportation. Increasing the use of this mode of transportation will produce a number of benefits for the community, including reduced traffic, less need for costly roadway improvement projects, improved air quality, and a reduction in GHG emissions.

The City will continue to fund the free City of La Cañada Flintridge Foothill Boulevard Shuttle along Foothill Boulevard and will enhance its level of service as part of continued development of the Downtown Village Specific Plan (DVSP) and new mixed-use development, as efficient public transportation service is complementary to a pedestrian-oriented area. As development continues in the DVSP area, the City should consider providing transit service along Town Center Drive. The City also will pursue improved and expanded connections to the regional transit system.

6.5.3 Bicycle Transportation Plan
As discussed in section 6.4.3, the City currently doesn’t have a Bicycle Master Plan and will pursue adopting either an Active Transportation Plan or a Multimodal Plan. However, the City has implemented several bikeway projects in the City (see Figure CE-5).

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City of La Cañada Flintridge Chapter 6. Circulation Element General Plan—July 2026 6-18
The future planning efforts should
incorporate connections to regional
bicycle networks identified by Los
Angeles County and Metro.

Existing and planned bicycle
facilities may include connections
along corridors such as Foothill
Boulevard, Ocean View Boulevard,
Verdugo Boulevard/Honolulu
Avenue, and Highland
Drive/Woodbury Road, many of
which connect to neighboring
jurisdictions and regional routes.

In 2010, the City pursued and was
awarded a Metro Call for Projects Grant in the amount of $2,038,067 to construct a new greenbelt along the south side of Foothill Boulevard between Leata Lane and the Glendale Freeway (SR-2) ramps located at Hillard Avenue.

Approximately 0.5 miles of Class I “Bike Path” and

1.5 miles of Class II “Bike Lane” were built to connect existing bike route networks in La Crescenta, Montrose (Glendale), and Pasadena. Wider pedestrian paths, landscape buffers, and pedestrian-level lighting alongside the bike path, as well as an enhanced bus stop, were also constructed.

The City has also implemented bike facilities along Foothill Boulevard, Verdugo Boulevard, and Alta Cañada Drive. Completed in 2023, the Foothill Link Bikeway project upgraded the existing eastbound bike lane (basic striped unprotected) to a curb-level eastbound bike path. The project also includes landscaping, signal work, lighting, resurfacing, a landscaped median, and the removal of some (not heavily used) parking spaces on the westbound side. The City is also working with Caltrans, the City of Glendale, and Los Angeles County to transform Foothill Boulevard into an active transportation-friendly corridor between Lowell Avenue and Oak Grove Drive. Additionally, the City is working with Caltrans to enhance safety and manage speeds along Angeles Crest Highway (ACH), from the I-210 freeway on- and off-ramps to the city limits.

Improvements under consideration include the introduction of bike lanes and sidewalks.

Pursuant to SB 932 (2022), the City shall continue to support the development of a balanced, multi-modal transportation network that improves mobility, safety, and accessibility for all users, including pedestrians, bicyclists, transit riders, seniors, youth, and persons with disabilities. The effort should identify existing conditions, completed and missing bicycle facilities, network gaps, priority corridors, safety concerns, connectivity opportunities, and implementation strategies for bicycle, pedestrian, transit, trail, and micromobility improvements.

The evaluation should also consider changing mobility trends, roadway Foothill Link Bikeway and Pedestrian Greenbelt Project

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conditions, safety needs, and current state requirements related to complete streets and multi-modal planning.

The multi-modal planning effort should evaluate opportunities to improve access to schools, parks, commercial areas, civic destinations, transit stops, and regional trail systems while considering the City’s unique hillside context, roadway constraints, emergency access needs, and community character. The plan should also identify opportunities for traffic calming, Safe Routes to School improvements, enhanced crossings, wayfinding, first/last-mile connections, and coordination with adjacent jurisdictions to close gaps in the regional active transportation network.

A Trails Master Plan, maintained by the La Cañada Flintridge Trails Council, catalogs the extensive trail network that primarily serves recreational purposes, including walking, hiking, bicycling, and equestrian use. These trails are generally intended as recreational amenities rather than primary commuter facilities. However, certain trail segments may be evaluated as part of the City’s broader multi-modal network to support local connectivity and commuting opportunities. Any such use should be balanced with trail preservation, user safety, environmental considerations, and compatibility with recreational and equestrian activities. The City shall continue to prohibit motorized vehicle use on trails, except for authorized maintenance, emergency, or accessibility-related uses where permitted.

To comply with SB 932 requirements, the City shall initiate preparation of an Active Transportation Plan or a Multi-modal Plan within two years of adoption of the updated Circulation Element and establish measurable implementation actions tied to funding, capital improvement programming, and future roadway projects. Future circulation improvements should consider complete streets principles where feasible and context appropriate, while balancing mobility, safety, emergency access, evacuation needs, neighborhood character, and preservation of the City’s recreational trail system. The City may also continue to pursue grants and coordinate with regional agencies, Metro, Caltrans, neighboring jurisdictions, Los Angeles County, and major institutional partners and major employers such as the Jet Propulsion Laboratory (JPL), as well as connections to Park-and-Ride facilities, to advance multimodal improvements and strengthen regional connectivity.

6.5.4 Truck Access
Assembly Bill 98 (AB 98), effective January 1, 2026, requires cities and counties to address goods movement and truck routing within their Circulation Elements to reduce conflicts between truck traffic and sensitive land uses. The law primarily focuses on warehouse and logistics-related truck activity. It also requires

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jurisdictions to identify and evaluate truck routes that support regional goods movement. Although La Cañada Flintridge is not a logistics or industrial community, regional truck traffic does travel through the City due to its location within the Foothill Transportation Network and its connections to surrounding communities and mountain areas. The City does not currently contain any warehouse or logistics facilities and does not intend to introduce such land uses in the foreseeable future. As a result, the City’s approach to AB 98 compliance focuses on managing regional through-truck traffic while protecting residential neighborhoods, maintaining community character, and minimizing impacts to sensitive receptors.

Caltrans provides the California Truck Network Map for State highways, which is the official government source for truck route information. Within the City, Interstate 210 is a designated truck route and falls under the National Network Route. The State Route 2 (Angeles Crest Highway), north of Interstate 210, is also designated as a truck route with special restrictions, prohibiting commercial vehicles with three or more axles or a gross vehicle weight of 9,000 pounds or more on this portion of SR-2. These highways serve as the principal corridors for regional truck movement through the area.

Truck traffic on Foothill Boulevard is intended primarily to support local-serving commercial activity, including deliveries to businesses located within the City.

The City does not support the use of Foothill Boulevard or local residential streets as bypass routes for regional cut-through truck traffic attempting to avoid designated State truck routes.

The City recognizes that SR-2 serves a unique regional function as a critical connection to foothill and mountain communities located north of La Cañada Flintridge. The City is currently in discussions with Caltrans regarding the potential future relinquishment or dedication of portions of SR-2 to the City.

Future coordination between the City and Caltrans may address roadway operations, truck management strategies, signage, safety improvements, and context-sensitive design treatments along the corridor. Figure CE-6 shows the designated truck routes for the City of La Cañada Flintridge.

To minimize neighborhood impacts and maintain roadway safety, the City intends to continue directing regional truck traffic to Interstate 210 and SR-2, while discouraging unnecessary truck circulation on local streets and commercial corridors not intended for heavy freight. The City may consider additional enforcement measures, signage, and operational controls to reduce unauthorized cut-through truck traffic.

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Figure CE-7 shows potential locations of signage to
restrict freight trucks on local streets, Foothill
Boulevard, and other roadways with commercial
uses. These signs are intended to clearly direct
truck drivers toward designated truck routes and
away from sensitive receptors. However, a more
detailed analysis should be conducted to develop a
signage location plan and the signage design. The
City may also evaluate truck size limitations on
local commercial corridors, such as restricting
access to trucks exceeding 40 feet in length except
where necessary for local deliveries, emergency
access, or utility operations.

Consistent with AB 98, the City will continue to
evaluate the impacts of truck routing, roadway operations, and goods movement as part of future transportation planning efforts. The City’s approach emphasizes concentrating truck traffic on appropriate regional corridors while minimizing conflicts with homes, schools, parks, trails, and other sensitive land uses.

6.5.5 Loading and Unloading on Foothill Boulevard
Loading and unloading activity along Foothill Boulevard and in adjacent commercial areas has emerged as an important issue affecting circulation, parking, and business operations within the City. Many of the commercial properties along Foothill Boulevard were developed incrementally over time and are located on relatively small or shallow parcels with limited on-site loading areas. As a result, loading and unloading activities frequently occur within parking lots, drive aisles, sidewalks, on-street parking spaces, or on the center median striping, which can create circulation conflicts, reduce parking availability, interrupt bicycle and pedestrian movement, and contribute to localized congestion along the corridor. These challenges are especially pronounced during peak business hours and delivery periods when curb space is already in high demand for customer parking, rideshare activity, and short-term access.

As part of the ongoing Zoning Code Update, the City is evaluating new off-street loading standards intended to improve safety, support efficient business operations, and reduce circulation conflicts within commercial areas. The proposed standards establish minimum loading requirements for commercial, mixed-use, office, and multifamily development based on building size and use type. The standards also establish dimensional, access, screening, and operational requirements for loading spaces to help ensure loading and unloading activities occur on-site rather than within public rights-of-way.

Sample signage for truck size limits
and prohibited routes

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Proposed provisions require loading areas to be located away from street frontages where feasible, provide adequate maneuvering space on-site, and minimize impacts on adjacent residential uses through screening and design treatments.

The City also recognizes that the unique parcel configuration and small-scale commercial character along portions of Foothill Boulevard may limit the ability of some businesses to provide dedicated loading areas on-site. In some locations, shared parking lots, rear-access areas, or coordinated loading arrangements between adjacent businesses may provide opportunities to accommodate loading and unloading more efficiently while reducing the need for trucks to stop in travel lanes or occupy on-street parking spaces. Shared loading and service areas may also create opportunities to preserve curbside space for customer parking, passenger pick-up and drop-off activity, outdoor dining, bicycle parking, and pedestrian improvements. However, due to varying site conditions and parcel constraints, not all commercial properties may be able to accommodate off-street loading facilities.

To improve circulation efficiency and reduce conflicts between loading activity and roadway operations, the City’s overall policy direction is to prioritize offstreet loading and unloading wherever feasible. On-street loading should generally be discouraged except where physical site constraints or existing development patterns make off-street accommodations impractical. Future development, redevelopment, and property improvements along Foothill Boulevard and other commercial corridors should incorporate site planning strategies that support internal loading access, shared service areas, and efficient circulation patterns while minimizing impacts to sidewalks, travel lanes, and public parking supply. The City may also continue evaluating curb management strategies, delivery timing practices, and operational improvements to balance loading needs with parking demand, business activity, pedestrian comfort, and overall corridor functionality.

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6.6 Future Conditions of Traffic Flow
The potential traffic and circulation impacts related to the adoption of the updated General Plan are determined by forecasting future daily traffic volumes and calculating future daily V/C ratios for all major roadways. Future daily traffic volumes were developed using SCAG’s RTP (20042) Regional Model and adjusted to reflect changes in the land use proposed as part of the General Plan update. Table CE-5 summarizes the forecast for daily traffic volumes, capacities, V/C ratios, and LOS for 20 roadway segments. As shown in Table CE-5, none of the studied roadway segments is anticipated to be significantly affected by the General Plan build-out.

Table CE-5. Future Daily Traffic Volumes and Level of Service (2030) Roadway Location
Roadway
Classification
Total
Lanes Capacity ADT V/C1 LOS
Angeles Crest Hwy North of Foothill Blvd Primary
Roadway
4 32,900 16,900 0.51 A
Foothill Blvd East of Ocean View Blvd Primary
Roadway
4 32,900 25,200 0.77 C
Foothill Blvd East of Hillard Ave Primary
Roadway
4 32,900 24,100 0.73 C
Foothill Blvd East of Verdugo Blvd Primary
Roadway
4 32,900 29,600 0.90 D
Foothill Blvd East of Gould Ave Primary
Roadway
4 32,900 28,600 0.87 D
Descanso Dr West of Chevy Chase Dr Major
Roadway
2 15,600 9,100 0.58 A
Gould Ave North of I-210 Westbound Ramp Major
Roadway
2 15,600 7,700 0.49 A
Oak Grove Dr South of Foothill Blvd Major
Roadway
4 32,900 17,700 0.57 A
Verdugo Blvd East of Alta Cañada Rd Major
Roadway
2 15,600 9,500 0.61 B
Alta Cañada Rd North of Foothill Blvd Residential
Collector
2 12,600 2,900 0.23 A
Berkshire Ave East of Commonwealth Ave Residential
Collector
2 12,600 3,500 0.28 A
Chevy Chase Dr South of Berkshire Ave Residential
Collector
2 12,600 5,400 0.43 A
Chevy Chase Dr South of Foothill Blvd Residential
Collector
2 12,600 4,600 0.37 A
Commonwealth Ave South of Foothill Blvd Residential
Collector
2 12,600 3,100 0.25 A
2 The baseline for the Circulation Element and Environmental Impact Report was developed in 2007 and was based on SCAG’s 2004 RTP, which was the most current data.

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Roadway Location
Roadway
Classification
Total
Lanes Capacity ADT V/C1 LOS
Crown Ave North of Santa Ynez Way Residential
Collector
2 12,600 7,200 0.57 B
Cornishon Ave South of Foothill Blvd Residential
Collector
2 12,600 4,600 0.37 A
Highland Dr East of Chevy Chase Dr Residential
Collector
2 12,600 6,700 0.53 A
Hillard Ave North of Foothill Blvd Residential
Collector
2 12,600 4,600 0.37 A
La Cañada Blvd North of Fairview Dr Residential
Collector
2 12,600 4,400 0.35 A
Ocean View Blvd North of Foothill Blvd Residential
Collector
2 12,600 8,600 0.68 B
1Volume-to-capacity ratio
Bold indicates location with significant project impact based on Los Angeles County Congestion Management Program (CMP) threshold of significance.

6.7 Planned Improvements

6.7.1 City of La Cañada Flintridge Capital
Improvement Program
The City’s Capital Improvement Program (CIP), which outlines the City's infrastructure needs for the future, contains a list of municipal projects scheduled to receive funding and be constructed within a 5-year period. The CIP includes all capital projects planned within the City, their funding sources, and their schedule of implementation, including those that implement the General Plan.

6.7.2 Foothill Boulevard Districts
In 1991, the City prepared and approved the Foothill Boulevard Master Plan (FBMP) to guide future development of Foothill Boulevard and to provide recommendations for identified issues that were considered impediments to revitalization. The vision described in the FBMP was to preserve and enhance a small-scale pedestrian-oriented atmosphere with a village character, while enhancing economic vitality, use, and circulation efficiency.

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The FBMP identified five districts along the entire length of Foothill Boulevard within the City, each with its own mix of uses and unique characteristics, and provided policy direction for future development and redevelopment within those districts. The Foothill
Boulevard Districts are included
in the Circulation Element
because they incorporate public
improvements to support the
land use policies for each district
and the overall vision for
Foothill Boulevard. Four of the
five original districts include
West Gateway, The Link, Old
Town, and Michigan Hill
Districts. The adopted DVSP,
described below, implements
the fifth district, called the Downtown District. Figure CE-8, Foothill Districts, displays the boundaries of the five districts on Foothill Boulevard.

6.7.2.1 Downtown Village Specific Plan
The DVSP incorporates and supports many of the goals, policies, and design principles of the Foothill Boulevard Master Plan. The City’s Design Options Manual and Community Planned Development (CPD) Ordinance also contain many elements of the Foothill Boulevard Master Plan. The DVSP, which was adopted in 2000, identifies several transportation-related improvements to better serve downtown land uses (existing and proposed) and improve local access and circulation. The new North Road and associated north–south connecting streets would allow for additional local streets to provide alternate routes and relief to Foothill Boulevard. The DVSP retains the current number of lanes on Foothill Boulevard, both at mid-block locations and at intersections. Some of the key improvements outlined in the DVSP include the following:
 Retain Foothill Boulevard as a four-lane roadway throughout the downtown area.
 Implement various improvements at specific locations. Some of these improvements are described in greater detail below.

Town Center Drive (The North Road)
The North Road, now named Town Center Drive, is a new collector street with one lane in each direction and a striped center two-way left-turn lane and/or median. The North Road has one striped bicycle lane in each direction. As Foothill Boulevard in The Link District

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conceived in the DVSP, the North Road is intended as alternative access for the general public to the businesses along Foothill Boulevard.

The first segment of North Road, connecting Angeles Crest Highway to approximately Beulah Drive (Civic Center Drive) south of the I-210 Freeway, was constructed as part of the Town Center development.

Angeles Crest Highway/Chevy Chase Drive at Foothill
Boulevard
The intersections of Angeles Crest Highway and Chevy Chase Drive with Foothill Boulevard are
currently offset. While the
DVSP contemplated the
realignment of these two
intersections to eliminate
the offset, the City
completed a project in 2008
that signalized the Chevy
Chase intersection and
operates the two signals as
one intersection with full
coordination between the
two. The City recognizes
that the closely spaced traffic signals have resulted in less-than-satisfactory operation and will continue to pursue optimal signal timing and configuration to reduce driver delay. As the Town Center and Downtown Village areas develop further, it will be important to monitor congestion along Foothill Boulevard, evaluate alternatives, and make intersection improvements when volumes increase. Developers should be responsible for their share of needed traffic signal improvements along Foothill Boulevard.

6.7.3 SR-710 Transportation Improvement
The Long Beach Freeway (I-710) currently terminates 6 miles south of the I-210/SR-134 Freeway interchange in Pasadena, at Valley Boulevard just north of the San Bernardino Freeway (I-10) in Alhambra. On October 12, 2019, Governor Newsom signed Assembly Bill No. 29 removing Route 710 between Alhambra Avenue in the City of Los Angeles and California Boulevard in the City of Pasadena from the California freeway and expressway system on January 1, 2024.

Eastbound on Foothill Boulevard at Chevy Chase Drive and Angeles Crest Highway

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6.7.4 Public Facilities
In addition to the circulation infrastructure, the Circulation Element also addresses other public infrastructure and utilities that support the existing and planned land uses and development in the City necessary for implementation of the General Plan, such as storm drain facilities, the wastewater collection and transmission system, and the water supply and distribution system.

6.7.4.1 Storm Drain Facilities
Existing drainage facilities were originally constructed by either the Los Angeles County Flood Control District (LACFCD) or the Los Angeles County Department of Public Works (LACDPW). After the City incorporated in 1976, the LACFCD continued to own and operate its facilities because LACFCD is responsible for flood control. The ownership and operation of the LACDPW drainage facilities became the responsibility of the City.

In addition to its storm drain and channel facilities, the LACDPW also owns and operates eight (8) debris basins within the City: Mullaly, Pickens, Halls Canyon, Winery Canyon, Hay Canyon, Big Briar, Gould Upper, and Gould Canyon.

The City has regular Capital Improvement Program (CIP) projects to maintain and upgrade its drainage facilities. The City also reviews new development to ensure no drainage problems are created.

6.7.4.2 Wastewater Collection and Transmission
The City is included within two Los Angeles County Sanitation Districts (LACSD): District 28 (generally north of Foothill Boulevard) and District 34 (generally south of Foothill Boulevard). Prior to the establishment of public sewer assessment districts, the City was served primarily by private septic sewage disposal systems (also known as onsite wastewater treatment systems or OWTSs). However, there existed limited public sewer systems. The La Cañada Country Club (LCCC) and approximately 400 associated dwelling units are served by the Water Reclamation Plant (WRP) Outfall within District 28. The westerly portion of the City is served by the Crescenta Valley Water District (CVWD). Some properties located adjacent to the City of Pasadena boundary have access to the Pasadena sewer system.

In April 1997, the LACSD completed the Foothill Boulevard Main Trunk Sewer enabling the commercial establishments on Foothill Boulevard to have access to a public sewer system.

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In 1998, the first Assessment District (AD 98-1) was formed allowing for the construction of a public sewer system. The boundaries of AD 98-1 consist generally of the southerly boundary of the LCCC to the north, Foothill Boulevard to the south, Gould Avenue to the west, and the east City Limit to the east (not including the Jet Propulsion Laboratories (JPL)). The construction of AD 98-1 was completed in 1998.

In 2002, the second Assessment District (AD 02-1) was established. The boundaries of AD 02-1 consist generally of the north City Limit to the north, Foothill Boulevard to the south, La Cañada Boulevard to the west, and Gould Avenue to the east. The construction of AD 02-1 was completed in 2005.

In 2004, the third Assessment District (AD 04-1) was established. AD 04-1 is divided into two areas: A and B. The boundaries of Area A consist generally of the north City Limit to the north, Foothill Boulevard to the south, Ocean View Boulevard to the west, and Palm Drive to the east. The boundaries of Area B consist generally of the north City Limit to the north, Foothill Boulevard to the south, Palm Drive to the west, and La Cañada Boulevard to the east. The construction of AD 04-1 was completed in 2008.

AD 98-1, AD 02-1, and AD 04-1 (Area B) are all served by District 28 of the LACSD. Because of existing topography, AD 04-1 (Area A) is served by the City of Los Angeles via conveyance through CVWD sewer facilities.

Between 2005 and 2009, several types of sewer systems were proposed to the residents of the Flintridge area (south of Foothill Boulevard) to complete the public sewer system for the remainder of the City. Based on several Citysponsored studies, it was determined at that time that the cost of any public sewer system in the Flintridge area would be substantially more costly on a “per household” basis than the public sewer systems previously constructed in other areas of the City. Despite this increased cost, prior to the economic recession of 2008, there was considerable interest among the residents of Flintridge to form assessment districts for the construction of a public sewer system. At that time, the Flintridge area was generally divided into three geographic districts: District 4 (generally between Berkshire Avenue and Foothill Boulevard with deeper bedrock for gravity sewers), District 5 (generally between Berkshire and south to Glendale with shallower bedrock), and District 6 (generally west of District 4 between Foothill Boulevard and I-210). In District 5, based on studies and surveys of the residents, a Low Pressure System (LPS) was proposed as the public sewer system. In 2009, ballots were issued to the residents of District 5 for the formation of Sewer Assessment District AD 09-1 for the construction of the LPS system. However, by 2009 the effects of the 2008 recession had impacted public sentiment for the expenditure of funds for a public sewer system, and there was a majority protest against the formation of that Sewer Assessment District. While no assessment ballots were issued for Districts 4 or 6, resident

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surveys conducted post-recession established that a majority of residents in District 4 would not have supported a public sewer assessment primarily due to the high costs involved. Currently, there are no plans for a public sewer system in the Flintridge area.

Due to the high cost of public sewers in the Flintridge area and the current economic environment, the existence of residential OWTSs will continue in the Flintridge area for the foreseeable future. The City embraces its responsibility as the Qualifying Local Agency under the California Water Code regarding the regulation of OWTSs within the City. The City’s regulatory role is important to the community for multiple reasons. For public health reasons, the City desires to protect against the illicit discharge of liquid wastes into the public drainage facilities. The City’s regulatory role, however, is also important to ensure that residents with properly functioning OWTSs are not burdened by overregulation or unreasonable restrictions on the use and enjoyment of their property just because their properties are serviced by an OWTS instead of a public sewer system. It is the policy of the City to remain the agency responsible for the implementation and enforcement of applicable local code requirements with respect to OWTSs and to carefully monitor the activities of any agency (e.g., the Los Angeles County Health and/or Building Department) to which the City delegates any such responsibilities to ensure that the residents are treated in a fair and reasonable manner in conjunction with applicable regulations.

6.7.4.3 Water Supply and Distribution
The City does not own or operate any water company; instead, it is served by four (4) water companies: CVWD, La Cañada Irrigation District (LCID), Mesa Crest Water Company (MCWC), and Valley Water Company (VWC). The CVWD obtains a portion of its water from the local wells in the Verdugo Basin and the Los Angeles Department of Water and Power (LADWP). LCID and VWC obtain a portion of their water from the Monk Hill portion of the Raymond Basin. The Raymond Basin has an area of approximately 40 square miles bounded by the San Gabriel Mountains to the north, the San Rafael Hills to the west, and the Raymond Fault on the south and east. The majority of the City is located within the basin’s boundaries.

All four of the water purveyors purchase imported water supplies through the Foothill Municipal Water District (FMWD), a member agency of the Metropolitan Water District (MWD) of Southern California. FMWD is a water wholesaler and its only source of water is through MWD’s Weymouth Plant in La Verne. CVWD gets 40 percent of its water from FMWD. LCID gets 90 percent of its water from FMWD. MCWC gets 100 percent of its water from FMWD.

VWC gets 75 percent of its water from FMWD.

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CVWD serves the western portion of the City. LCID serves the central and northern portions of the City. MCWC serves the northeasterly portion of the City. VWC serves the central and southern portions of the City.

6.8 Goals, Objectives, and Policies
The goals, objectives, and policies in the Circulation Element establish the policy foundation to guide future circulation- and transportation-related decision making to achieve the community’s Vision 2030.

CE GOAL 1: Maintain a safe, multi-modal, efficient, economical, and aesthetically pleasing circulation system providing for the circulation of people, goods, and services to serve the existing and future needs of the City of La Cañada Flintridge.

CE Objective 1.1: Assure that local and regional traffic demands are met in a way that is consistent with and preserves the City’s character as reflected in Vision 2030.

CE Policy 1.1.1: Establish and maintain a circulation network that supports the Land Use Element of the General Plan.

CE Policy 1.1.2: Coordinate improvements to the City’s circulation system with appropriate local, county, regional, State, and federal transportation plans and programs.

CE Policy 1.1.3: Develop and periodically evaluate multi-modal transportation planning efforts, including an Active Transportation Plan or a Multi-modal Plan in the City, which are designed and operated to enable safe and convenient access for all users of all ages and abilities, including pedestrians, bicyclists, motorists, transit riders, equestrians, persons with disabilities, and micromobility users where appropriate.

CE Policy 1.1.4: Participate in transportation planning efforts that involve other governmental agencies, mandated programs, and regulations in order to minimize potential environmental impacts related to transportation in and around the City.

CE Policy 1.1.5: Oppose any SR-710 tunnel or surface freeway extension that would increase traffic volumes on the I-210 Freeway through La Cañada Flintridge due to the air quality, noise, and traffic congestion impacts on the community that such alternatives would create. Encourage the development of multi-modal transportation alternatives in lieu of a direct connection between the SR-710 and I-210 freeways that address regional transportation needs without significantly impacting the City.

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CE Objective 1.2: Establish and periodically evaluate a Level of Service (LOS) impact standard by which to evaluate new developments and substantial redevelopments for their potential impacts on and contribution to the City’s congestion management concerns.

CE Policy 1.2.1: The City Council may adopt, based on the recommendations of the City Engineer, a threshold of significance for traffic growth impacts on City roadways and intersections.

CE Policy 1.2.2: Require new developments to conform to LOS standards and project impact criteria of the City of La Cañada Flintridge and other mandated programs. This includes mitigation of traffic impacts to the surrounding street system.

CE Policy 1.2.3: Pursue right-of-way acquisition to meet the City's adopted standards. In non-residential areas, density bonuses may be considered in conjunction with right-of-way dedication. Right-of-way upgrades will serve to benefit not only vehicles but all forms of transportation. Although dedication of right-of-way is anticipated to be the primary means to upgrade right-of-way widths, the City may consider alternatives to right-ofway acquisition, such as easements, alternate routes, and designated access roads.

CE Policy 1.2.4: In order to maintain the residential character of its streets, the City may allow flexibility to the Standard Street Sections (Figure CE-2) in consideration of available right-of-way, the context of the roadway in comparison to its surrounding land uses, and impacts or benefits of multiple modes of transportation.

CE Objective 1.3: Enhance community character by maintaining aesthetically pleasing streets with low traffic volumes.

CE Policy 1.3.1: Encourage the development of aesthetic streetscapes that are consistent with the low-density, residential character of the community to promote a positive City image and provide visual relief.

CE Policy 1.3.2: Installation of street lights in previously unlit areas may be initiated at the request of homeowners by a petition to the City, with approvals to be determined by staff based on criteria to be established in advance by the City Council, such as where lighting is warranted for safety reasons. Appeals of staff determinations shall be referred to the appropriate Commission for consideration. The City's determination shall provide for the mitigation of lighting impacts if necessary.

CE Policy 1.3.3: Encourage developments that contribute to balanced land uses and that serve to reduce overall trip lengths (e.g., jobs and housing balance, locating retail in closer proximity to residents and patrons).

CE Policy 1.3.4: Ensure that effective Transportation Demand Management (TDM) measures and programs are being implemented within the City.

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Objective 1.4: Evaluate funding options and prioritization of capital improvements that support transit and non-motorized transportation to reduce VMT and GHG emissions, while maintaining economic vitality and sustainability.

CE Policy 1.4.1: Before funding transportation improvements that increase roadway capacity and vehicle miles traveled (VMT), evaluate the feasibility and effectiveness of funding projects that support alternative modes of transportation and reduce VMT, including transit services and infrastructure, and bicycle, trails, and pedestrian facilities, Safe Routes to School improvements, first/last-mile connections, traffic calming, and multimodal corridor enhancements.

CE Policy 1.4.2: The City may require that when Proposition A funds are traded, congestion management credit commensurate with the level of funds traded will be given to the City.

CE GOAL 2: Facilitate alternatives to automobile travel, including public transportation, bicycling, ridesharing, walking, and equestrian, that support land use plans, meet transportation needs, and reduce vehiclerelated and GHG emissions.

CE Objective 2.1: Promote transit-supportive uses where appropriate.

CE Policy 2.1.1: Ensure that new mixed-use, commercial, and multiplefamily residential developments incorporate project design features that promote the use of alternative modes of transportation, such as proximity to transit, pedestrian and bicycle facilities, preferential parking for low-/noemission vehicles, etc.

CE Policy 2.1.2: Provide and coordinate the provision of pedestrian and bicycling enhancements, such as sheltered benches and bike racks, wayfinding, enhanced crossings, shade features, and micromobilitysupportive infrastructure along major roadways, within the DVSP, and near schools, parks, transit stops, and civic destinations.

CE Policy 2.1.3: Continue to provide information about transportation issues, projects, and processes to community members and other stakeholders, especially to those traditionally underserved by transportation services.

CE Objective 2.2: Continue to improve transit service in the City to achieve trip reductions, improve air quality and reduce GHG emissions, and facilitate pedestrian and non-motorized travel.

CE Policy 2.2.1: Encourage the use of transit along Foothill Boulevard and specifically to and from the DVSP by enhancing the LCF shuttle service.

Work to increase shuttle frequency and service hours.

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CE Policy 2.2.2: Work with Metro and all other transit providers serving the City to respond to increases in demand for transit.

CE Policy 2.2.3: Work with Metro and Pasadena ARTS to enhance transit connections to the Metro system.

CE Policy 2.2.4: Work with regional and local transit providers to enhance customer service and system ease-of-use by supporting development features such as:
a. a Regional Pass system to reduce the number of different passes and tickets required of system users;
b. “Smart Bus” technology, using global positioning satellite (GPS) and electronic displays at transit stops, to provide customers with “realtime” arrival and departure time information (and to allow the system operator to respond more quickly and effectively to disruptions in service); and
c. a regional online trip planning program.

CE Policy 2.2.5: Upgrade and maintain the transit system infrastructure to enhance public use, including:
a. ensuring transit stops are safe, convenient, clean and efficient; b. ensuring transit stops have clearly marked street-level designation and are accessible;
c. ensuring transit stops are safe, sheltered, benches are clean, and lighting is adequate; and
d. placing transit stops along transit corridors within mixed-use or transit-oriented development areas at intervals of three to four blocks, or no less than one-half mile.

CE Policy 2.2.6: Work with regional and local transit providers to create an interconnected transportation system that encourages a shift in travel from private passenger vehicles to alternative modes, including public transit, ride sharing, carsharing, bicycling, and walking.

CE GOAL 3: Provide and maintain public infrastructure and utilities that support existing and planned land uses and development in a costeffective and responsible manner.

CE Objective 3.1: Continue to improve and expand public infrastructure and utilities in the City as determined necessary.

CE Policy 3.1.1: Determine public infrastructure and utility needs to implement the General Plan and prioritize them through the City’s CIP.

CE Policy 3.1.2: Evaluate existing public infrastructure and utilities to determine facilities and identify ongoing maintenance and/or replacement needs, and prioritize and implement them through the City’s CIP.

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CE Policy 3.1.3: Require new development to install curbs and gutters, including all land divisions and substantial redevelopment of properties other than single-family residences where feasible and appropriate.

CE Policy 3.1.4: Implement policies for the preservation of natural conditions leading to retention of stormwater where it occurs.

CE Objective 3.2: Work closely with local water companies and districts and sewer districts in determining and meeting community needs for water, sewer, and stormwater service.

CE Policy 3.2.1: Continue to promote the opportunity for the construction of public sewers, where determined feasible.

CE Policy 3.2.2: Work closely with solid waste disposal companies in providing trash pick-up services, and reduce the per capita production of solid waste as defined in the City's Source Reduction and Recycling Element.

CE Policy 3.2.3: Work closely with the Los Angeles County Flood Control District in determining and meeting community needs for flood control facilities and maintenance.

CE Policy 3.2.4: Improve the existing storm drainage system by correcting identified deficiencies, where feasible and appropriate. Require new developments to upgrade storm drains to handle increased runoff generated by the development site.

CE Policy 3.2.5: Develop and implement a public education program that identifies the health hazards and penalties for improper disposal of graywater to assure the City's compliance with the requirements of the California Plumbing Code, the Clean Water Act, and the National Pollutant Discharge Elimination System (NPDES) statutes.

CE Objective 3.3: Work closely with telecommunications and energy companies in determining and meeting the community’s needs.

CE Policy 3.3.1: Encourage providers of cable television, broadband Internet, and other communication services to consult with the City and with affected property owners before placing physical equipment, except cables, on telecommunications company infrastructure within the City.

CE Policy 3.3.2: Establish a communications protocol so that City officials and staff are apprised of all requests by telecommunication companies for the location of communication towers and monopoles on public and private properties.

CE Policy 3.3.3: Work closely with telecommunication companies to ensure the adequate provision of personal wireless service signal in the City on public or private property.

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CE Policy 3.3.4: Encourage energy providers to develop a more energy efficient infrastructure, including solar power, LED lighting, time-of-day usage, equipment replacement, and other energy-reducing programs.

CE GOAL 4: Maintain and enhance accessibility to public facilities and services for persons with special mobility needs, emergency services, commercial deliveries, and other users.

CE Objective 4.1: Enhance the walkability of the City.

CE Policy 4.1.1: Pursue the development of sidewalks and/or ADAcompliant “walkable paths” in the vicinity of schools to provide adequate pedestrian access. The location of the sidewalks and/or ADA-compliant “walkable paths” will include consideration of the Suggested Routes to School Plans and connection to present or future bus or shuttle service in the area.

CE Policy 4.1.2: Provide sidewalk access from residential to commercial areas per the Downtown Village Specific Plan (DVSP) and increase the safety and attractiveness of such areas for pedestrians. Establish priorities for installation and identify funding and developer improvement opportunities to assure implementation of these sidewalk access plans.

CE Policy 4.1.3: Recommend sidewalks and/or ADA-compliant “walkable paths” in new development areas where public safety objectives will be served, at the discretion of the Planning Commission. Similar recommendations for public safety within existing developments should continue to be reviewed by the Public Works and Traffic Commission.

CE Policy 4.1.4: Encourage and recommend commercial, residential, and mixed-use developments to enhance walkability through pedestrianfriendly site and access design.

CE Policy 4.1.5: Identify additional safe and convenient locations for pedestrians to cross Foothill Boulevard, including consideration of midblock crosswalks, and improve their visibility.

CE Policy 4.1.6: Undertake an evaluation of existing and proposed pedestrian and bicycle facilities, trail connections, and multi-modal corridors to improve access and linkages.

CE Objective 4.2: Ensure the accessibility and safety of all vehicle facilities in the City.

CE Policy 4.2.1: Take advantage of opportunities to control vehicle speeds through sound engineering practices, based on the particular conditions of a given area. Seek to keep apprised of new technologies, which can then be considered for implementation.

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CE Policy 4.2.2: Maintain clear roadsides for safe vehicular, emergency vehicle, pedestrian, bicycle, and equestrian travel. Property owners shall be required to clear from their properties, debris, litter, brush, weeds, and low overhanging branches that intrude onto the adjacent rights-of-way.

CE Policy 4.2.3: Coordinate with Caltrans to improve public notification during freeway incidents in order to alleviate potential congestion on City streets.

CE Policy 4.2.4: Continue to work with Caltrans and State officials to enforce the prohibition of commercial trucks with three or more axles or over 4½ tons from using Angeles Crest Highway through the City and pursue and maintain runaway vehicle preventative measures.

CE Policy 4.2.5: Investigate and adopt strategies to discourage the use of local roads by through truck traffic.

CE Policy 4.2.6: Establish ordinances or land use permit conditions limiting the hours when deliveries can be made in off-peak hours in high traffic areas.

CE Policy 4.2.7: Investigate and adopt strategies to improve vehicular circulation around public and private schools and school-owned facilities located within the City.

CE Policy 4.2.8: Develop and implement a citywide program that encourages safe driving habits, including outreach to teens and senior citizens.

CE GOAL 5: Enhance the aesthetics, economic vitality, and circulation efficiency of Foothill Boulevard.

CE Objective 5.1: Enhance the appearance and use of Foothill Boulevard through a series of distinctive districts that incorporate public improvements to support the land use policies for each district and the overall vision for Foothill Boulevard.

CE Policy 5.1.1: West Gateway. Recognize the Ocean View at Foothill Boulevard intersection as a major entry for the City, and plan for the development of a significant entry statement there. Such an entry statement could include landscaping and parkway enhancements and may require the acquisition of additional public right-of-way at this intersection. Pursue the implementation of landscaping and parkway enhancements for Foothill Boulevard and the unsightly drainage facilities in West Gateway. Either separately or in conjunction with an Active Transportation Plan or a Multimodal Plan, the City should work to redesign Foothill Boulevard and implement traffic-calming measures.

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CE Policy 5.1.2: The Link. Pursue the implementation of a linear park extending from the YMCA west to the commercial district, using excess right-of-way on the south side of the street and screening the high retaining wall. Also pursue the creation of a multi-use pedestrian/bike parkway along the south side of Foothill Boulevard between Mayor’s Discovery Park and the YMCA, with possible further extension to the west. Either separately or in conjunction with an Active Transportation Plan or a Multimodal Plan, the City should work to redesign Foothill Boulevard and implement traffic-calming measures, including a center median on Foothill Boulevard in the Walls area and landscaping.

CE Policy 5.1.3: Old Town. Pursue parkway landscaping improvements that encourage pedestrian use and reduced traffic speeds while maintaining adequate emergency vehicle access.

CE Policy 5.1.4: DVSP—Foothill Boulevard Improvements. Pursue parkway improvements to provide visual enhancement to Foothill Boulevard as well as the Angeles Crest at Foothill Boulevard intersection. Pursue opportunities for improved access to off-street parking in the western portion of the DVSP by: working with property owners and developers to encourage reciprocal parking arrangements and removal of barriers to reciprocal access to such parking; revising the Zoning Code to permit removal of such barriers to encourage access to off-street parking; and investigating opportunities for development of additional publicly owned or leased parking. Continue pursuing streetscape enhancements according to the DVSP.

CE Policy 5.1.5: Michigan Hill. Establish a program for sidewalk, guardrail, trash receptacle, and landscaping improvements for this district, and continue to pursue long-term funding opportunities for the undergrounding of overhead utilities in this area. Continue to improve bus stop facilities in this area, installing bus shelters where feasible and appropriate.

CE Objective 5.2: Enhance traffic flow along Foothill Boulevard.

CE Policy 5.2.1: Extend the North Road from its current terminus to Rinetti Lane to provide parallel capacity to Foothill Boulevard.

CE Policy 5.2.2: Develop an integrated intersection and traffic signal improvement plan for Foothill Boulevard that balances the need between progressive traffic movements, at reasonable speeds, with the need for safe and convenient pedestrian crossings. Require developers to contribute their fair share to these planned improvements to maintain and improve traffic conditions at acceptable levels.

CE Policy 5.2.3: Evaluate the need for additional signals, and consider alternatives to additional traffic signals, at cross streets to Foothill Boulevard that facilitate pedestrian access to the Boulevard and enhance the levels of service at these intersections. Any new signals shall be incorporated into the

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integrated signal synchronization program so as not to conflict with the objectives of congestion management and speed control.

CE Policy 5.2.4: At locations where trails cross Foothill Boulevard, maintain signage and ensure that safety measures include horse crossing capabilities.

CE Policy 5.2.5: Make improvements to key intersections along Foothill Boulevard, such as Angeles Crest Highway and Ocean View Boulevard, as right-of-way becomes available.

CE Policy 5.2.6: Investigate and adopt strategies to discourage the use of Foothill Boulevard by regional through traffic.

CE Policy 5.2.7: Pursue consolidation of closely intersecting streets in connection with new development.

CE Objective 5.3: Enhance parking efficiency and utilization along Foothill Boulevard to promote the City’s commercial vitality.

CE Policy 5.3.1: Pursue the recommendations of the Comprehensive Parking Strategy Report, including short-term and long-term strategies and code changes to enhance parking availability. Recommendations include:
a. adding signage and improving the appearance of the Caltrans public parking lot
b. adding signage for the Farmer’s Market on Foothill Boulevard; c. reducing the length of bus stops;
d. improving curb markings, limiting parking to 2 hours along Foothill Boulevard during peak usage periods;
e. simplifying parking requirements in the Code;
f. developing a streamlined process for shared parking between businesses in order to optimize parking availability and minimize curb cuts for entryways to parking lots;
g. studying the possibility of reverse angled parking in the Old Town area; and
h. establishing agreements between owners of neighboring properties to share parking.

CE Policy 5.3.2: Investigate and consider adopting curb parking time limits along Foothill Boulevard during peak usage periods in areas with insufficient parking supply when feasible and appropriate for the adjacent land uses.

CE Objective 5.4: Improve the management of loading and unloading activity along Foothill Boulevard to reduce circulation conflicts, support business operations, and enhance pedestrian safety and curbside functionality.

CE Policy 5.4.1: Prioritize off-street loading and unloading facilities for commercial, mixed-use, and multifamily development wherever feasible to

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minimize impacts on public streets, sidewalks, bicycle facilities, and onstreet parking.

CE Policy 5.4.2: Encourage shared access arrangements, shared loading areas, rear access arrangements, and coordinated service access between adjacent properties where site conditions and parcel configurations limit the ability to provide dedicated on-site loading facilities.

CE Policy 5.4.3: Manage curbside loading activity along Foothill Boulevard and other commercial corridors to balance delivery needs with parking demand, pedestrian access, rideshare activity, outdoor dining, and overall circulation efficiency.

CE Policy 5.4.4: Encourage site design and operational strategies that minimize truck maneuvering conflicts, blockage of travel lanes, and obstruction of sidewalks and pedestrian access areas during loading and unloading activities.

CE GOAL 6: Promote active and multi-modal transportation.

CE Objective 6.1: Support bicycle and other active transportation modes as viable forms of transportation by providing a comprehensive network of bikeways, pedestrian facilities, trail connections, and supporting infrastructure.

CE Policy 6.1.1: Develop, maintain, and periodically evaluate an Active Transportation Plan or a Multi-modal Plan that shows access to primary destinations for commuting, schools, and recreational activities. The City shall evaluate whether updates, expansion, or consolidation into a broader Multi-modal Transportation Plan are warranted to address changing mobility needs, State requirements, safety concerns, ADA accessibility, and multi-modal connectivity opportunities.

CE Policy 6.1.2: Encourage developments and improvements which facilitate the implementation of high-quality, desirable bicycle routes and multimodal connections. The City shall prioritize implementation of contextappropriate bicycle facilities, including separated bikeways, buffered bike lanes, Class II and Class III routes, shared-use connections, and trail linkages where feasible and appropriate.

CE Policy 6.1.3: Pursue funding opportunities to upgrade and expand bicycle and multi-modal facilities that meet or exceed established standards, including Safe Routes to School, Active Transportation Program (ATP), Congestion Mitigation and Air Quality (CMAQ), Metro, Caltrans, and other regional, State, and federal funding opportunities. First priority for upgrades or improvements shall be given to those routes that serve commuting and school access needs in order to improve the opportunities for bicycling as a viable transportation alternative.

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CE Policy 6.1.4: Encourage existing public and private developments and destinations to incorporate adequate, convenient, and secure bicycle-related support facilities to strengthen the City's policy to improve bicycling as a viable transportation alternative, such as:
a. construction of weatherproof bicycle facilities where feasible, and at a minimum, bicycle racks or covered, secure parking near the building entrances; and
b. provision and maintenance of changing rooms, lockers, and showers at large employers or employment centers.

CE Policy 6.1.5: Link the City’s bicycle and multi-modal network to the regional system to maintain connectivity to adjacent jurisdictions, regional trails, transit services, employment centers, and major destinations such as JPL and Park-and-Ride facilities.

CE Policy 6.1.6: Improve bicycle and pedestrian access to schools within the City, including pursuing Safe Routes to School funding for planned bikeways, sidewalks, crossings, ADA accessibility, lighting, traffic calming, trail access, and other active transportation improvements near schools.

CE Policy 6.1.7: Assist in the development and delivery of specific bicycle safety programs that will serve to meet the goal of providing a safe, efficient transportation system. Such programs should include public education on safety and rules of the road, appropriate signage, and information regarding proper sharing of roadways and trails by a variety of users.

CE Policy 6.1.8: Identify priority projects, network gaps, and multi-modal improvements needed to support a safer and more connected transportation system.

CE Objective 6.2: Preserve, improve, expand, and complete the trails system and promote safe, coordinated, and comprehensive trail systems for hikers, bicyclists, and equestrians.

CE Policy 6.2.1: Update Trails Master Plan in coordination with the Open Space and Recreation Element and utilize it as the implementing document for the General Plan regarding trails and trail-related issues.

CE Policy 6.2.2: Maintain and expand the trails system due to its importance as a component of the City’s commitment to increasing non-motorized mobility and reducing dependence on automobiles for local trips.

CE Policy 6.2.3: Preserve, improve, and expand the trails system in conjunction with the goals, objectives, and policies within the Open Space and Recreation Element of the General Plan.

CE Policy 6.2.4: Maintain and update the Trails Map as the Trails Master Plan is implemented and make it available for public reference and use.

Amend the Trails Map by a separate resolution of the City Council as

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additional routes, trails, and facilities are deemed appropriate. Amendment of either the Trails Master Plan or the Trails Map will not require amendment of the General Plan unless the changes would create inconsistency with the General Plan’s goals, objectives, and policies.

CE Policy 6.2.5: Seek to gain easements from roadways to trails to improve accessibility of the trail system.

CE Policy 6.2.6: Coordinate the provision of equestrian circulation and safety enhancements, such as equestrian accessible crosswalk buttons, traffic buffers, visible and horse-friendly crosswalk markings and materials, and warnings before and after trail crossings.

CE Policy 6.2.7: Continue to prohibit motorized vehicle use on trails, except for authorized maintenance, emergency response, accessibility-related uses where permitted, and other official purposes approved by the City.

CE Objective 6.3: Pursue the integration of the non-motorized transportation system.

CE Policy 6.3.1: Pursue the creation of linkages between any new bikeways and the City’s trails system shown in Figure CE-4.

CE Policy 6.3.2: Enhance the trail crossings to improve safety and visibility, including the provision of markings on the street to alert motorists of horses crossing, and provide regular cleanup in order to clear foliage.

CE Objective 6.4: Implement multi-modal transportation actions that support a balanced transportation system, improve accessibility and safety for all users, and reduce reliance on single-occupancy vehicle travel.

CE Policy 6.4.1: Initiate preparation of an Active Transportation Plan or a Multi-modal Plan within two years of adoption of the updated Circulation Element and aim for full implementation of the plan within 20 years, including a 5-year goal to reduce fatalities by at least 20 percent.

CE Policy 6.4.2: Incorporate measurable implementation actions into future multi-modal transportation planning efforts, including prioritization of projects, funding strategies, capital improvement coordination, and periodic monitoring of implementation progress.

CE Policy 6.4.3: Coordinate with neighboring jurisdictions, Metro, Caltrans, Los Angeles County, regional agencies, schools, and major employers to improve regional multi-modal connectivity and close gaps in the active transportation network.

C.4-I: Track and share progress through a public-facing dashboard and regular updates to the City Council, detailing project status, funding, and safety outcomes.

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CE GOAL 7: Manage truck movement to support regional connectivity while protecting neighborhoods and community character.

CE Objective 7.1: Concentrate regional truck traffic on appropriate State and regional corridors while minimizing cut-through truck traffic on local streets.

CE Policy- 7.1.1: Direct regional truck traffic to designated truck routes, including Interstate 210 and State Route 2, consistent with State and regional transportation planning objectives.

CE Policy- 7.1.2: Prohibit the use of Foothill Boulevard and local residential streets as bypass routes for regional through-truck traffic not serving destinations within the City.

CE Policy- 7.1.3: Support truck access necessary for local-serving commercial deliveries, emergency services, utility operations, and essential community functions.

CE Objective 7.2: Reduce potential conflicts between truck traffic and residential neighborhoods, schools, parks, trails, and other sensitive land uses.

CE Policy- 7.2.1: Minimize truck traffic impacts on sensitive receptors through roadway management, operational controls, signage, and contextsensitive transportation improvements.

CE Policy- 7.2.2: Support enforcement of designated truck routes and truck restrictions to reduce unauthorized truck traffic on local streets.

CE Policy- 7.2.3: Evaluate operational strategies, including truck length restrictions and directional signage, to improve safety and reduce neighborhood impacts along local commercial corridors.

CE Objective 7.3: Maintain regional connectivity while supporting the City’s long-term land use and community character goals.

CE Policy- 7.3.1: Coordinate with Caltrans and neighboring jurisdictions regarding truck route planning, roadway operations, and regional goods movement.

CE Policy- 7.3.2: Recognize State Route 2 as a critical regional connection to foothill and mountain communities and maintain appropriate truck access to avoid unnecessary increases in regional vehicle miles traveled (VMT).

CE Policy- 7.3.3: Avoid the introduction of logistics and warehouse land uses that would substantially increase heavy truck traffic within the City.

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Table of Contents
INTRODUCTION ............................................................................................................................................ 4 PARKLAND TYPOLOGY .................................................................................................................................. 7 TRAIL SYSTEM..............................................................................................................................................12 COMMUNITY FACILITIES..............................................................................................................................14 PARK LAND GAP ANALYSIS..........................................................................................................................17 URBAN TREE CANOPY................................................................................................................................. 23 GOALS, POLICIES, AND ACTIONS ...............................................................................................................28

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INTRODUCTION
The Open Space and Recreation Element of the City of La Cañada Flintridge complies with California Government Code Sections 65560 and 65302(e) by providing a framework to preserve, manage, and enhance open spaces, including natural resources, recreation areas, and scenic and historic landscapes, thus contributing to health and wellbeing of the community.

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INTRODUCTION
The City of La Cañada Flintridge is home to extensive natural open spaces, public parks, and areas dedicated to both public and private recreational facilities and trails. The City is strategically positioned between the foothills of the San Gabriel Mountains and the Angeles National Forest to the north, and the San Rafael Hills to the south.

Since its incorporation, the community has prioritized the preservation and protection of its open space areas.

The City encompasses approximately 943 acres of parkland, which includes all areas designated as Parks and Recreation and Open Space on the LandUse Map. Of these, 6.75 acres are categorized as public parks. Many of the undeveloped private lands, generally designated as Hillside Residential, are located on steep and visually prominent hillsides. These hillsides are home to significant environmental and aesthetic resources and are traversed by numerous hiking, bicycling, and equestrian trails.

In addition to the open spaces within the City, substantial recreational facilities and open spaces are nearby, including the Angeles National Forest and the Hahamongna Watershed Park in Pasadena. The City's robust trail system connects to an extensive network of trails in Pasadena, Glendale, Altadena, other unincorporated areas of Los Angeles County, and the Angeles National Forest.

Purpose
The purpose of the Open Space and Recreation Element is to create a framework guiding present and future decisions and investments in parks, trails, recreation, and community facilities across the City of La Cañada Flintridge, contributing to a high quality of life for residents. This element will set goals and policies to preserve, manage, and develop open spaces within the City. It aims to support residents' objectives to preserve and expand the City's natural open spaces, recreation areas, and trails.

The City of La Cañada Flintridge is a built-out city, which makes it challenging to find vacant land for parks, recreation, and trail system expansion. Therefore, the Open Space and Recreation Element aims to support the development and improvement of these facilities by focusing its goals and policies on preserving the existing facilities while finding new ways to add more of these spaces creatively.

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Relationship with Other Elements
TheOpen Space and Recreation Element was developed to safeguard and effectively manage the open space resources and community facilities in the City of La Cañada Flintridge. This element aligns with other elements of the General Plan by implementing cohesive goals and guiding principles. In particular:
• Land Use Element: TheLand Use Element outlines the proposed uses of land, their intensity, and their location. The Land Use Element supports and complements the Open Space and Recreation Element by designating parcels for parks, recreation, and open space uses, and by aligning land use goals and policies to protect, manage, and enhance these areas.
• Circulation Element: The Open Space and Recreation Element may help plan for trails, bike routes, and pedestrian routes. The intercorrelation among these elements enables a well-integrated transportation network and promotes the use of open spaces. • Housing Element: The Open Space and Recreation Element contributes to the Housing Element by planning parks, recreation, and open space areas that new housing developments can benefit from, ensuring residents have access to open spaces and enhancing their quality of life. • Conservation Element: The Open Space and Recreation Element and Conservation Element are interconnected, both focusing on the preservation and management of spaces. However, while the Conservation Element focuses on preserving natural resources, the Open Space and Recreation Element supports these efforts by designating protected areas and promoting environmentally responsible land management practices.
• Safety Element: The Open Space and Recreation Element can complement the Safety Element by preserving or proposing green spaces that mitigate natural hazards, such as floodplains, excessive heat, and fire-prone areas. It also supports community resilience by providing open areas for emergency evacuation or as buffer zones in disaster-prone regions. • Noise Element: The Open Space and Recreation Element can serve to maintain natural buffer zones and green spaces that mitigate noise pollution, complementing the goals of the Noise Element. • Air Quality Element: The Open Space and Recreation Element may complement the Air Quality Element by creating policies and goals that preserve open space to reduce pollution.

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EXISTING CONDITIONS ANALYSIS

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PARKLAND TYPOLOGY
Parks and open spaces play a crucial role in the City of La Cañada Flintridge, providing areas for recreation, relaxation, social gatherings, and outdoor enjoyment. To ensure these areas cater to various needs, cities commonly categorize parks by their size, intended use, and the populations they serve. Generally, cities feature a variety of park types, including mini parks, neighborhood parks, community parks, regional parks, and linear parks.

The City of La Cañada Flintridge is home to a variety of parks and open space areas that provide recreational
opportunities for its residents. The City consists of six parks, 18 trails, and five open space areas, including the Descanso Gardens and the La Cañada Flintridge Country
Club. The City is also in close proximity to the Angeles National Forest, Hahamongna Watershed Park, the San
Rafael Mountains Open Space, and the Verdugo
Mountains Open Space Preserves. The City’s close proximity to these open spaces and the national forest adds not only to the recreational opportunities for the residents but also contributes to their health and wellbeing.

Subsequent sections, FIGURE 1, and TABLE 1 documents various parks in the City of La Cañada Flintridge.

Mini Parks
Mini parks are typically less than an acre in size and
are usually located within dense neighborhoods,
making them a very short walking distance from
residences, usually 5-minutes. These parks generally
have limited facilities, such as benches, restrooms,
and playgrounds. These may also be used as dog
parks.

The City of La Cañada Flintridge has a total of four mini parks: Glenhaven Park, Mayors’ Discovery Park,
Winery Channel Trailhead Park, and Olberz Park.

Glenhaven Park is equipped with tennis courts, a
playground, and restrooms, catering to both active
and passive recreational needs. Olberz Park provides
benches and a gazebo, offering peaceful spots for
relaxation. Mayors’ Discovery Park boasts a
discontinued water feature and restrooms. Although
these parks are not the largest in size, as shown in
TABLE 1, theyoffer a variety of amenities that enhance
the community’s quality of life.

A PARK is a designated open space for public
recreation and leisure, typically improved with
amenities such as lawns, play areas, and sports
or picnic facilities. Unlike trails, which are
primarily linear corridors for movement, parks
serve as destinations for play, relaxation, and
community gathering.

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Neighborhood Parks
Neighborhood parks are typically a few acres in size, ranging from one to ten acres, and generally serve residents within a 10- to 15-minute walk of their homes. These parks often feature playgrounds, restrooms, benches, walking paths, and sometimes basketball or tennis courts. The City of La Cañada Flintridge has two neighborhood parks: Memorial Park and Glenola Park. Memorial Park features a playground for children and convenient restrooms. Glenola Park provides benches and a small gazebo, offering peaceful spots for relaxation.

Community Parks
Community parks typically serve more than one
neighborhood and can range from 10 to 40 acres.

These parks usually offer a wide array of amenities,
including playgrounds, paths, trails, restrooms, picnic areas, and multiple sports facilities. They are often
located within 2 to 3 miles of the neighborhoods they
serve. The City of La Cañada Flintridge has no
community parks at this point.

Regional Parks
Regional parks are typically more than 40 acres and
serve more than just one neighborhood or City. These
parks often feature picnic areas, athletic fields, event spaces, natural areas, and may have historical
features. While the City of La Cañada Flintridge does
not have a regional park, it is situated near
Hahamongna Regional Park to the south, providing
residents with an accessible recreational park.

Linear Parks
Linear parks are typically less than 20 acres and are
typically known for their greenway and length. These parks tend to be narrow and run along City edges, major corridors, and large developments. These parks often include seating, trails, picnic areas, and lots of shade.

The Southern California Edison easement within the City of La Cañada Flintridge may fit in this category, but it is not owned by the City. However, many residents within the City of La Cañada Flintridge consider the numerous trails within the City to be linear parks.

Other Open Space
The City of La Cañada Flintridge is situated near several prominent open spaces that fulfill multiple roles. • protect natural resources, such as plant and animal habitats and waterways • preserve important viewsheds
• support resource protection, including groundwater recharge zones • serve as electrical transmission corridors
• offer both active and passive recreational opportunities

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• support public health and safety by including debris basins, watersheds, unstable soil areas, and high wildfire risk zones, and limiting development in these areas The Angeles National Forest lies to the north and east of the City, while the Hahamongna Watershed Park is located southeast of the City boundary. Within the City, both public and private parks are available. These include Descanso Gardens, Cherry Canyon, and La Cañada Flintridge Country Club.

Angeles National Forest:

The City of La Cañada Flintridge borders the Angeles
National Forest, providing accessible parkland within
close proximity to La Cañada Flintridge residents.

National parks and national forests are established by
an act of Congress. Proposals for these designations
can come from the public, local or state officials,
Indian tribes, members of Congress, or the National
Park Service. To be considered, the proposed areas
must possess nationally significant natural, cultural,
or recreational resources. They must also be
sustainable, feasible, and require management by the
National Park Service.

Hahamongna Watershed Park
Hahamongna Watershed Park, located in the City of
Pasadena, borders La Cañada High School and
spans more than 1,300 acres in the Arroyo Seco. This
regional park serves Pasadena, La Cañada Flintridge,
and neighboring cities. Within Hahamongna, visitors can enjoy athletic fields, bridlepaths, bicycles, and hiking trails, as well as picnic and barbecue areas.

Gould Canyon/Lukens Connection Open Space
The Gould Canyon Open Space is a natural area with multiple hiking and other outdoor trails. It features rolling hills and scenic views. The Lukens Connection Trail runs through the open space area north and south.

Descanso Gardens
Spanning approximately 150 acres, Descanso Gardens is a nationally accredited botanical garden recognized as a “museum of living collections” that is owned by the County of Los Angeles. It is home to a diverse array of native and exotic plants and offers residents and visitors the opportunity to explore historical exhibits, walk along its paths, and enjoy vibrant seasonal blooms.

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Cherry Canyon
Located adjacent to Descanso Gardens, Cherry Canyon spans approximately 137 acres. It features an extensive network of trails that weave through its terrain, offering breathtaking views of the surrounding mountains and valleys.

La Cañada Country Club
This is a premier recreational facility situated in the scenic foothills of the City of La Cañada Flintridge. The approximately 88-acre private club maintains an 18-hole golf course, tennis courts, a swimming pool, fitness facilities, and dining options.

Winery Canyon Open Space
Positioned in the foothills of the San Gabriel Mountains, Winery Canyon Open Space encompasses approximately 343 acres. Through Winery Canyon Open Space runs the Hall Beckley Canyon Trail in its southern portion.

TABLE 1: PARKS AND OPEN SPACE
Park/Open Space Name Acres
Parks in the City
Mayor’s Discovery Park 0.94 acres
Glenhaven Park 0.47 acres
Olberz Park 0.75 acres
Memorial Park 1.65 acres
Glenola Park 1.13 acres
Winery Channel Trailhead Park 1.81 acres
Park Total 6.75 acres
Other Open Space
Descanso Gardens 150 acres
Cherry Canyon Park 137 acres
La Cañada Country Club 88 acres
Winery Canyon Open Space 343 acres
La Cañada Flintridge City Open Space* 5.4 acres
Gould Canyon/Luckens Connection 64 acres
Los Angeles County Flood Control District 88.25 acres
US Government – Angeles National Forest 44 acres
Southern California Edison Easement** 17 acres
Open Space Total 936.65 acres
TOTAL Acreage 943.4
Note: The table excludes Hahamongna Watershed Park and portions of the Angeles National Forest outside of the City boundaries.

The acreages are based on the GIS Data provided by the City of La Cañada Flintridge. These may differ from previous versions of the General Plan.
* City-ownedvacant hillside property.
**Owned by Southern California Edison. Acreage is approximate.

Source:County of Los Angeles and City of La Cañada Flintridge, GIS Data

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FIGURE 1: OPEN SPACE IN LA CAÑADA FLINTRIDGE

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TRAIL SYSTEM
Trails are an important part of La Cañada Flintridge and have existed in the City since its settlement. When the hills of Flintridge were originally subdivided in the 1920s, bridle paths were included in the subdivision plans.

Additionally, in 1996, the American Hiking Society designated the City of La Cañada Flintridge as a "Trail Town, USA,"ranking it among the top ten towns in the country.

The City has placed a high priority on the preservation, maintenance, and expansion of the trail system within the City and in 2006 adopted the City of La Cañada Flintridge Trails Master Plan. This master plan was created by the La Cañada Flintridge Trails Council and adopted by the City. The Trails Council is a nonprofit, volunteer organization foundedin 1974, just two years before the official incorporation of the City of La Cañada Flintridge.

The Trails Council spearheads many projects, including maintenance and trail restoration, funded through donations, including those from the City. La Cañada Flintridge has 19 trails totaling approximately 23 miles.

TABLE 2 and FIGURE 2 break down the trails located within the City and the length of each trail. The Trails Council, in coordination with the City, is updating the Trails Master Plan as of this writing.

TABLE 2: EXISTING TRAILS
Park/Open Space Name Length (Miles) Trail Type
Cerro Negro Trail 1.16 miles Equestrian, Pedestrian, Bicycle Cherry Canyon Fire Road 1.14 miles Equestrian, Pedestrian, Bicycle Conservancy Trail 0.7 miles Equestrian, Pedestrian, Bicycle Descanso Trail 1.8 miles Equestrian, Pedestrian, Bicycle Flint Canyon Trail 2.4 miles Equestrian, Pedestrian, Bicycle Gateway Link Trail 0.35 miles Equestrian, Pedestrian, Bicycle Hall Beckley Canyon/ Earl Canyon Mtwy.

Trail

3.61 miles Equestrian, Pedestrian, Bicycle
Georgian Spur Trail 0.18 miles Equestrian, Pedestrian, Bicycle Gould Canyon Trail 2.9 miles Equestrian, Pedestrian, Bicycle Horse Lane Trail 0.56 miles Equestrian, Pedestrian, Bicycle La Cañada Open Space Trail 3.7 miles Equestrian, Pedestrian, Bicycle Liz’s Loop Trail 0.39 miles Equestrian, Pedestrian, Bicycle Lukens Connection Trail 0.2 miles Equestrian, Pedestrian, Bicycle Owl Trail 0.5 miles Equestrian, Pedestrian, Bicycle
Sister City Friendship Path 0.3 miles Equestrian, Pedestrian, Bicycle Trails Council Link 0.5 miles Equestrian, Pedestrian, Bicycle Ultimate Destination Trail 0.3 miles to 0.5 miles Equestrian, Pedestrian, Bicycle Rockridge Terrace 0.69 miles Equestrian, Pedestrian, Bicycle Forest Hill Fire Road Trail 0.7 Miles Equestrian, Pedestrian, Bicycle TOTAL Acreage 22.28
Source: Trails Council and City of La Cañada Flintridge Note:Motorized vehiclesare not allowed on trails except for maintenance purposes.

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FIGURE 2: TRAILS MAP

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COMMUNITY FACILITIES
The Open Space and Recreation Element evaluates community facilities, including schools, athletic fields, libraries, and community centers, within the City of La Cañada Flintridge. By assessing these facilities, the City can evaluate current availability, plan for future needs, and either preserve existing facilities or establish agreements for their use. Given that the City is built out, creating new spaces and facilities may be challenging, making it even more important to use and maintain existing facilities effectively. Community facilities are essential for residents, providing valuable recreational opportunities and enhancing the quality of life in the City.

Schools
Within the City of La Cañada Flintridge, there are 12 schools, of which only 4 are public. The school breakdown within the City can be seen in TABLE 3 below. Schools are essential components of a community, bringing everyone together, not just families with children. Many times, these schools serve as meeting grounds; they are often located near parks, playgrounds, and athletic fields, making them ideal locations for additional services such as food drives, health fairs, and more. The City of La Cañada Flintridge is served by the La Cañada Unified School District, which includes three elementary schools, a middle school, and a high school that share a campus. The City of La Cañada Flintridge and La Cañada Unified School District have a joint use agreement, which is discussed further in the Recreation section of this Element.

TABLE 3: SCHOOLS IN LA CAÑADA FLINTRIDGE
School Name School Type
La Cañada Middle/High School Public
La Cañada Elementary School Public
Paradise Canyon Elementary School Public
Palm Crest Elementary School Public
Flintridge Sacred Heart Academy Private
Flintridge Preparatory School Private
Foothill Progressive Montessori School Private
La Canada Preparatory School Private
Hogg's Hollow Preschool & Kindergarten Private
St. Francis High School Private
Crestview Preparatory School Private
St. Bede the Venerable Catholic School Private
Lighted Window Preschool Non-Profit
Source:City of La Cañada Flintridge
Libraries and Community Centers
The City of La Cañada Flintridge only has one library located at 4545 North Oakwood Avenue, serviced by the Los Angeles County Library Department, and one Community Center located at 4469 Chevy Chase Drive (see FIGURE 3). The Community Center, a property owned by the City, is operated by the non-profit organization Community Center of La Cañada Flintridge. They offer programs for all ages, including ceramic classes, S.T.E.M. programs for children, sports and fitness activities, arts programs, and camps during summer and school breaks. These programs provide residents with opportunities to engage with their community and stay active.

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Active Recreation
Active recreation involves more vigorous, structured activities, often played in organized teams, such as baseball, soccer, and football. The City of La Cañada Flintridge has ten athletic fields (see FIGURE 3 and TABLE 4) that are available for public use through collaboration with the La Cañada Unified School District and an agreement with The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints to utilize their athletic fields as joint use facilities.

The trails are generally used for passive recreation and leisure activities that do not require intensive physical effort, such as walking. However, many residents and local teams in La Cañada Flintridge use the trail system for cross-country, cycling, and running, making it part of the City's active recreational facilities.

Each year, the City releases a master field use schedule for community sports groups in coordination with La Cañada Unified School District and The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints and allocates field permits to sports groups. Additionally, there are limitations on field use at the La Cañada High School Oak Grove Athletic Field, which allows use only for soccer and for children 8 and under. Similarly, the Cornishon Athletic Field allows only children 12 and under for specific activities, and the Latter-Day Saints Athletic Field is available tochildren 12 and under and is not open to the public on Sundays. The school fields are closed during the La Cañada Unified School District winter break. The 2025 amendment to the joint-use agreement between the City and La Cañada Unified School District adjusted field hours, shifting weekday use to start later and reserving certain fields for school sports, thereby reducing public access time. The City’s Administrative Services Department and the Joint Use Committee must balance limited field availability against high demand from schools, community programs, and private sports teams.

TABLE 4: RECREATION FACILITIES IN LA CAÑADA FLINTRIDGE
Location Field Type Public Usage of School Facilities (Hours) On School Days On No-School Days
La Cañada High School
Athletic Fields (Varsity, JV,
Oak Grove)
Soccer, Football, Baseball
Monday, Wednesday, Friday
5:30 PM – 11:00 PM
Tuesdays and Thursdays
6:00 PM – 11:00 PM
7:00 AM to 11:00 PM
Cornishon Athletic Field Tennis Courts, Pickleball
Courts, Baseball 3:00 PM – 11:00 PM 7:00 AM to 11:00 PM FIS Athletic Field (Upper and
Lower Field) Baseball, Soccer
Upper Field
3:15 PM – 11:00 PM
Lower Field
5:00 PM – 11:00 PM
7:00 AM to 11:00 PM
Paradise Canyon
Elementary Athletic Field Soccer, Basketball 4:45 PM – 11:00 PM 7:00 AM to 11:00 PM La Cañada Elementary
Athletic Field Baseball, Basketball 4:45 PM – 11:00 PM 7:00 AM to 11:00 PM Latter-Day Saints Athletic
Field Baseball Monday – Saturday non-school hours 7:00 AM to 11:00 PM Source:City of La Cañada Flintridge

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FIGURE 3: COMMUNITY FACILITIES MAP

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PARK LAND GAP ANALYSIS
A parkland gap analysis is used to identify areas or demographic groups within a community that lack adequate access to parks and recreational open spaces. It compares where parks currently exist with where people live and how easily they can reach them, using measures such as walking distance (e.g., a 10-minute walk), population density, and demographic or equity indicators.

Park Ratio per 1,000 Residents
The City of La Cañada Flintridge has 6.75 acres of public park space for its population of 20,573 (2020 Decennial Census). This translates to a ratio of 0.33 park acres per 1,000 residents. The Los Angeles County average is 3.3 park acres per 1,000 residents1
. Additionally, according to the National Recreation and Park Association’s 2025 Agency Performance Review, a typical park and recreation agency in the U.S. manages 10.2 acres of parkland per 1,000 residents. The National Recreation and Park Association is an independent, nonprofit organization and is the primary professional organization within park planning. Based on County and National Park acreage-to-resident ratios, the City lacks sufficient parkland for its population. However, the City has more than 800 acres of open space and 24 miles of trails that residents may access or have visual relief from urban development. While these are not traditional parkland spaces in terms of usability, they provide recreational opportunities such as trails for residents to enjoy (See TABLE 1 and TABLE 2). As part of the Open Space and Recreation Element, the City may assess existing parks and their infrastructure to ensure equitable access and to maintain the quality and accessibility of the City's limited park space. 5-minute and 10-minute Walkshed
A 5-minute (quarter mile) and 10-minute (half mile) walkshed assessment was conducted to further evaluate residents’ access to six parks and ten trailheads within the City of La Cañada Flintridge (See FIGURE 4 and FIGURE 5). The parks in La Cañada Flintridge are located close together on the west side of the city, near the central area and Interstate 210. Therefore, only 59 percent of residents are within a 5- or 10-minute walkshed of parks within the city, according to Park Serve2
. However, due to the City’s proximity to open spaces and parks outside the city boundary, residents may access parks that are not within the city limits.

According to FIGURE 4, there are gaps in park access in the northern and southern parts of the city. To the north, Hall Beckley Canyon and Webber Canyon, along with some trails and the Angeles National Forest outside the City limits, may provide access points within a quarter- or half-mile radius. Nevertheless, not all residents are near these access points, making these spaces more of a visual relief than usable green spaces. To the south, Cherry Canyon Park and Hahamongna Watershed Park, just outside the city boundary, offer additional green spaces for residents in the southern portion of the city. To the northeast is La Cañada Flintridge Country Club, which, despite an entrance fee, may still provide visual relief for nearby residents.

The city also has various trails and open spaces. FIGURE 5 shows access to trails via trailheads within 5- and 10-minute walking distance. If trailheads and open spaces were considered, residents' access to parks across the city would significantly increase due to the extensive open spaces and trails within and near the city limits.

Note that informal trail access has not been included in this analysis, although it may substantially increase access to parks and recreation.
1 Los Angeles County.Countywide Comprehensive Park & Recreation Needs Assessment: Appendix A- City of La Cañada Flintridge, Study Area Profile. Los Angeles County Department of Parks and Recreation, May 3, 2016. 2 Trust for Public Land. ParkServe. Available at: https://www.tpl.org/parkserve. Accessed January 22, 2026.

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FIGURE 6 highlights priority areas for new park development in the La Cañada Flintridge region by integrating environmental, health, and demographic indicators based on the data provided by ParkServe. The areas marked in purple, particularly in the central and southeastern parts of the City, are identified as having the greatest need for additional park space. These areas also experience overlapping challenges, such as high heat exposure, elevated rates of physical inactivity, and older adults and children. According to the American Community Survey (2021), La Cañada Flintridge’s population includes approximately 15 percent aged 65 and older and 26 percent under 19, representing residents who often have limited access to personal vehicles.

These age groups depend more heavily on walkable connections, nearby parks, and trail networks to reach recreation areas safely and independently, underscoring the need for well-connected, accessible open space throughout the city. Expanding green spaces in these zones would not only enhance equitable access to recreation but also help mitigate environmental health risks like urban heat and air pollution.

Equitable Access to Parks
In light of Senate Bill(SB) 1425 (2023), which requires cities to address equitable access to parks, open space, and recreational facilities as part of their General Plan updates, La Cañada Flintridge must ensure that all residents, regardless of income, age, or ability, have fair access to quality recreational opportunities. While the CalEnviroScreen tool shows no disadvantaged communities within the City, equity extends beyond socioeconomic status to include fairness across age groups and abilities. SB 1425 highlights the importance of equitable park distribution, accessibility, and amenities to prevent disparities and to ensure that children, seniors, and individuals with disabilities have equal opportunities to enjoy safe, high-quality parks and open spaces.

La Cañada Flintridge has a Walk Score of 34 out of 100 and a Bike Score of 25 out of 1003 , indicating it is largely
car-dependent with limited pedestrian and cycling infrastructure. The city’s hilly terrain and dispersed land-use pattern make walking and biking less convenient, highlighting the need for improved active-transportation connections to parks, schools, and neighborhood destinations.

Los Angeles County 2022 Parks and Recreation Needs Assessment According to the Los Angeles County 2022 Parks and Recreation Needs Assessment Plus, West San Gabriel Valley Regional Study Area Profile Report, the majority of La Cañada Flintridge residents live within a 5-mile drive of a regional recreation park. The entire city is within a 5-mile drive of a Nature-Based Recreation Area entry point. The report also indicates that a significant portion of La Cañada Flintridge residents are within a

0.5-mile walk and a 2.5-mile bicycle ride of a trailhead or access point. Residents of La Cañada Flintridge with vehicles and bicycles may have greater access to green spaces, as they can reach themfaster than individuals without a vehicle. Overall, the City of La Cañada Flintridge is well positioned near green spaces.

3 Walk Score. Citiesand Neighborhoods. Available at: https://www.walkscore.com/cities-and-neighborhoods/. Accessed January 22, 2026.

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FIGURE 4: 5- AND 10-MINUTE WALKSHED FROM PARKS

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FIGURE 5: 5- AND 10-MINUTE WALKSHED FROM TRAIL HEADS

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FIGURE 6: PRIORITY AREAS FOR PARKS

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Gap in Athletic Fields
The lack of City-owned athletic fields and dependence on shared facilities with schools and churches indicate a shortage of athletic fields, especially for teams serving children 12 and older, who must seek opportunities outside the city amid an already constrained supply of athletic fields in neighboring jurisdictions. Non-residents must pay surcharges to use athletic facilities in nearby cities such as Pasadena and Glendale, where local priority policies limit access to fieldsfor outside users.

According to each City’s Open Space and Recreation
Element, both jurisdictions face limited availability of athletic fields relative to community demand.

Pasadena notes a shortage of regulation-sized fields
and scheduling conflicts among youth leagues, while
Glendale identifies capacity constraints and high
utilization rates across its sports fields. Consequently, regional access to athletic fields remains
competitive, further restricting options for La Cañada
Flintridge teams seeking practice or game space
outside City limits.

As part of the General Plan, it is important to explore creative, multifaceted strategies to expand access to athletic fields in a largely built-out community. Potential approaches may include partnerships with the La Cañada Unified School District for expanded joint-use agreements, repurposing underutilized public land or community spaces for multi-functional recreation, or investing in alternative turf and lighting upgrades to extend play hours on existing fields. The City may also explore opportunities for strategic land acquisition to develop new athletic facilities, particularly in areas underserved by parkland or active recreation space.

Additional strategies could include shared-use partnerships with neighboring jurisdictions or organizations, as well as the potential use of utility corridors or easements for informal recreational uses. Collectively, these options could help address growing community demand, particularly for youth sports, andalign with long-term goals to enhance equitable access to high-quality recreational amenities.

Promoting Health and Well-Being
Access to open spaces, parks, trails, and nature reserves plays a crucial role in enhancing public health.

Access to these areas encourages physical activity, which can help reduce the risk of obesity, heart disease, and other chronic conditions. Additionally, spending time in natural settings has been shown to reduce stress, improve mental health, and boost overall well-being. Green spaces also provide social benefits by serving as communal areas where people can gather, fostering a sense of community and social cohesion. The Open Space and Recreation element can serve as a tool for planning these types of spaces and promoting health and well-being. The availability and accessibility of open spaces are vital for promoting both physical and mental health in communities.

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URBAN TREE CANOPY
Urban Heat Island Impact
The Urban Heat Island Effect is the phenomenon in which urbanized regions experience higher ambient temperatures than nearby rural areas. This temperature disparity results from the replacement of natural vegetation with materials such as concrete, asphalt,
and buildings. La Cañada Flintridge's 2024 Climate
Action Plan sets a goal of conducting a heat study and
mapping the results to identify areas within the City
that could be classified as urban heat islands.

Elevated temperatures pose significant health risks
and place considerable strain on local infrastructure.

Increased reliance on air conditioning can overwhelm
the power grid, leading to energy shortages and higher
emissions.

Urban tree canopy is the amount of shade produced
by a tree or group of trees. The United States
Department of Agriculture Forest Services, in
partnership with the National Oceanic and
Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) and the
California Department of Forestry and Fire Protection
(CAL FIRE), developed a statewide Urban Tree Canopy database for California. According to this data, the City of La Cañada Flintridge has a 35.8% urban tree canopy, covering 1,983.8 acres. In comparison, Los Angeles County has about 20% urban canopy cover. As seen in FIGURE 7, the majority of the City has some tree canopy cover with higher tree canopy coverage in the southern portion of the City.

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FIGURE 7: URBAN TREE CANOPY

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Wildfire Versus Tree Canopy
In a very high fire hazard zone, having a dense tree canopy without proper upkeep can significantly increase the risk of wildfires. Overgrown and poorly maintained trees can accumulate dead branches, leaves, and other debris, all of which create highly flammable fuel that can easily ignite and spread a fire. This not only endangers the natural landscape but also poses severe threats to structures and the safety of the community. Therefore, it is crucial to strike a balance between preserving open spaces and tree canopies and ensuring sufficient fire safety measures. Regular tree maintenance, such as trimming, removal of dead wood, and creation of defensible spaces, helps mitigate these hazards. By adopting a proactive approach to tree management, the City can maintain its green spaces and natural beauty while prioritizing the safety and well-being of its residents and infrastructure.

The California Department of Forestry and Fire Protection develops wildfire hazard severity maps that identify areas at elevated wildfire risk and the agencies responsible for emergency response within those zones. The entire City of La Cañada Flintridge is located within a Very High Fire Hazard Severity Zone. As a result, the City needs to implement and maintain adequate measures that reduce wildfire risk, including vegetation management, fuel reduction, and other fire-prevention strategies consistent with state and local fire safety requirements.

Additionally, the City advises residents to maintain a 30-foot fire-resistant zone around their homes to help protect against wildfires. This involves removing debris, flammable items, and dry leaves within this 30-foot perimeter. La Cañada Flintridge also holds an annual Community Preparedness Day event to discuss wildfire prevention. The city has also initiated a No Parking during Red Flag Warning Program4 in response to past fire events, to have clear access to roads during emergencies. Red flag warnings in Los Angeles County are issued when humidity is below 15 percent and sustained winds are 25 mph or greater.

The Los Angeles County Fire Department, which serves the City of La Cañada Flintridge, conducts an Annual Defensible Space Inspection Program5
. Through this program, the Los Angeles County Fire Department provides defensible space clearance notices to property owners in High and Very High Fire Hazard Severity Zones within its jurisdiction. As all homes in La Cañada Flintridge are located within a very high fire hazard severity zone, they are subject to these inspections. This program aims to reduce the risk of wildfires and enhance community safety.

The Los Angeles County Fire Department also provides Zone-Specific Plant Selection Guidelines for Fuel Modification. These guidelines classify the type of plants that can be selected within specific zones: Zone A (within 30 feet of a structure or property line), Zone B (30 to 100 feet from a structure), and Zone C (100 to 200 feet from a structure or adjacent to access roads). Adhering to this plan is crucial for reducing fire hazards, creating defensible space, mitigating fire spread, maintaining visual appeal, and ensuring that the selected plants are well-suited to the local environment. All new developmentand major expansions of existing property within the city are subject to the Fuel Modification requirements.

The City of La Cañada Flintridge has implemented a four-year grid trimming program, ensuring that all trees within the City’s right-of-way or on City property are trimmed at least once every five years. As part of this 4 City of La Cañada Flintridge. Red Flag Warning Program. Available at: https://lcf.ca.gov/public-safety/redflaginfo/. Accessed January 22, 2026.
5 Los Angeles County Fire Department. Defensible Space Program. Available at: https://fire.lacounty.gov/fire-hazard-reductionprograms/. Accessed January 22, 2026.

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General Plan, the City may evaluate the program to determine whethertrimming should occur more frequently.

Additionally, the City provides a public form to request an evaluation of a tree for further trimming, watering, or when a tree is damaged or at risk of falling. The City's Municipal Code, specifically Chapter 11.40, addresses the preservation, protection, and removal of trees on private property. This code mandates that protected private trees may be removed only by an authorized arborist or the homeowner with a permit. It also provides residents with a replacement tree chart and lists penalties for tree removals without a City-issued permit.

Protected trees within La Cañada Flintridge include certain Oaks and Sycamore trees with a diameter of 12 inches or greater in R-1 Single Family Residential Zones, Deodar Cedars within the Historic Deodar District, any tree over five feet in height in non-R-1 zones, and all trees on public property or within the right-of-way. The City has established tree preservation and protection guidelines to help residents effectively manage and protect trees on their private property.

The comprehensive measures implemented by the City of La Cañada Flintridge, together with the Los Angeles County Fire Department and CAL FIRE, form a robust strategy to combat wildfire risks and create defensible space. By enforcing municipal tree-preservation and protection codes, conducting annual defensible-space inspections, and providing plant-selection guidelines, the City ensures its policies align with best practices in wildfire prevention. Community initiatives, such as maintaining fire-resistant zones around homes and hosting annual preparedness events, further empower residents to take proactive steps to safeguard their properties.

Collectively, these efforts foster a safer, more resilient community capable of withstanding the dangers posed by wildfires.

To better protect residents from extreme heat, La Cañada Flintridge may consider prioritizing investments in public infrastructure. This could include using heat-efficient materials, providing shade and hydration options at bus shelters, establishing designated cooling centers for extreme heat events, and introducing cool pavements. Cool pavements are innovative surfaces designed to reduce the heat absorbed and emitted by traditional pavement materials. These pavements use materials with higher solar reflectance (albedo) and better heat dissipation properties. By reflecting more sunlight and absorbing less heat, cool pavements can significantly lower surface temperatures and reduce the urban heat island effect. Additionally, cool pavements can improve comfort for pedestrians and cyclists, enhance pavement durability by reducing thermal stress, and potentially lower energy costs for nearby buildings by mitigating surrounding heat. Implementing cool pavement solutions could involve using lighter-colored or specially coated materials in streets, sidewalks, and parking lots. Within this General Plan, the City may consider conducting a pavement inventory to identify potential improvements.

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GOALS, POLICIES, AND ACTIONS

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GOALS, POLICIES, AND ACTIONS
The goals, policies, and actions in the Open Space and Recreation Element promote the expansion, preservation and enhancement of the City’s open space, recreation, and trails resources. They emphasize and support the interrelationships among all General Plan elements to achieve a community in which parkland resources also support land use, circulation, conservation, and safety.

OSRE Goal 1.0: Create an integrated, connected system of parks, recreation facilities, open space, and trails that serve residents of all ages and abilities while protecting the City’s natural resources.

OSRE Policy 1.1: Plan, develop, and maintain a cohesive parkland system that balances active recreation, passive open space, trails, and natural resource protection and reflects community needs and demographic trends.

OSRE Action 1.1.1: Use walkshed analysis, demographic data, heat exposure, and age-based needs to identify priority areas for park, trailhead, or micro-open-space investments, with a focus on neighborhoods outside 5- and 10-minute access areas.

OSRE Action 1.1.2: Assess the feasibility of impact fees to create or upgrade parks and/or recreation facilities as well as to require the inclusion of permanently dedicated open space and/or recreation facilities within new residential developments in accordance with the Quimby Act.

OSRE Action 1.1.3: Work with the school district to assess existing athletic fields to identify opportunities for targeted upgrades such as surface improvements, synthetic turf, lighting, or scheduling efficiencies to increase usable hours and accommodate community demand.

OSRE Action 1.1.4: Incorporate multi-functional design principles into the planning and improvement of recreation facilities to support shared use by multiple age groups, programs, and activities.

OSRE Action 1.1.5:Include inclusive, accessible play equipment in new parks and park improvements so that children of all abilities can safely play and participate together.

OSRE Policy 1.2: Pursue creative use of traditional, nontraditional, and shared spaces to expand recreation and open space opportunities.

OSRE Action 1.2.1: Evaluate opportunities to acquire land for active recreational facilities, such as courts, on underutilized parcels, in parking areas, or on for-sale properties along or near Foothill Boulevard.

OSRE Action 1.2.2: Evaluate the possibility of a trail linking the completed Foothill Link with the proposedRockridge Terrace Trail in the Trails Master Plan (2006).

OSRE Action 1.2.3: Evaluate design and funding options for the Community Center site to determine whether it could be jointly used, reconfigured, or redeveloped to expand athletic field capacity or support active recreation needs while maintaining community programming, in coordination with the facility operator and other relevant partners.

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OSRE Action 1.2.4: Evaluate the Southern California Edison (SCE) utility easement as a potential multi-use open space corridor by assessing utility constraints, ecological opportunities, recreation compatibility, access, and parking. The evaluation shall prioritize preservation of the existing trail connection and explore low-impact recreation uses such as outdoor fitness elements, community gardens, and passive open space, alongside pollinator-friendly habitat improvements, while maintaining utility access and neighborhood compatibility.

OSRE Action 1.2.5: Evaluate opportunities to utilize underutilized or vacant land, including the JPL parking lot leased from the Flintridge Riding Club and other similar sites, for active recreational facilities. The evaluation may also consider shared or structured parking solutions to support recreational uses and JPL parking needs and to provide buffering between proposed facilities and nearby residential areas.

OSRE Policy 1.3: Strengthen physical and functional connections between parks, open spaces, trails, neighborhoods, schools, and regional destinations through coordinated pedestrian, bicycle, and trail planning.

OSRE Action 1.3.1: In coordination with the Circulation Element, create a comprehensive multimodal plan that integrates pedestrian and bicycle facilities to improve connectivity, safety, and access to parks,recreational facilities and trails.

OSRE Action 1.3.2: Prevent unauthorized motorized vehicle use on trails by installing physical barriers at access points, providing clear signage, enforcing applicable regulations, and coordinating with law enforcement, while allowing controlled access for maintenance and emergency vehicles.

OSRE Policy 1.4: Pursue diverse, reliable funding strategies to support the acquisition, development, enhancement, and long-term maintenance of parkland and recreational facilities.

OSRE Action 1.4.1: Develop a funding program for acquisition and/or development of parkland property and facilities that includes a variety of methods, such as grants, easements, land donations, and gift annuities.

OSRE Action 1.4.2: Maintain readiness to pursue parkland acquisition opportunities by identifying priority opportunity sites, evaluating financing options, including voter-approved bonds, and preparing funding strategies and partnerships that enable theCity to act quickly when land becomes available.

OSRE Action 1.4.3: Pursue opportunities to secure the first right of purchase or negotiation for properties that could support future parkland, open space, or trail connections when such properties become available.

OSRE Action 1.4.4:Develop and adopt an ordinance in accordance with the Quimby Act establishing requirements and options forparkland and/ortrail dedication,or in-lieu fees for new development and expansions of existing structures exceeding 30 percent.

OSRE Action 1.4.5: Pursue grant funding, cost-sharing arrangements, and partnerships to support the planning, acquisition, development, improvement, and maintenance of parks and usable open space on City-owned and non–City–ownedland, consistent with community needs and available resources.

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OSRE Policy 1.5: Improve public awareness and use of parks, trails, recreational resources, and programs through clear, accessible, and up-to-date information.

OSRE Action 1.5.1: Continue to work with citizens, non-profit organizations, volunteer groups, and other community partners to identify and acquire land and provide needed active and passive parks, recreation, andage-specific programs.

OSRE Action 1.5.2:Develop brochures, maps, a website, and other informational materials to inform the community about the parks, recreational opportunities, trail system, and their linkages to regional systems, as well as available programs, including youth-, senior-, and family-oriented offerings, within theCity.

OSRE Goal 2.0: Preserve, protect, and enhance open space areas within and adjacent to the City to maintain hillside character, conserve scenic and natural landscapes, support public health and safety, and promote climate resilience.

OSRE Policy 2.1: Conserve and manage open space through land-use designation, development controls, and coordinated planning to maintain hillside character, protect scenic landscapes, and support compatible, low-impact public access.

OSRE Action 2.1.1: Continue to preserve all publicly owned open space committed to open space land or utility right-of-way by designating them as Open Space on the General Plan Land Use Map, while allowing compatible low-impact recreational uses where consistent with utility requirements, public safety, and environmental constraints.

OSRE Action 2.1.2: Continue to maintain the hillside character of the community through regulation and development control, thereby preserving the unique setting and significant resources of the San Gabriel Mountains and San Rafael Hills.

OSRE Action 2.1.3:Continue todesignateowned recreational and open space areasthat aredesigned and approved as an integral part of a land use development as Open Space on theGeneral Plan Land Use Mapto reflect their intended long-term use. Such designation does not imply public ownership or public access unless otherwise provided through approval conditions or agreements.

OSRE Action 2.1.4: Continue to preserve and enhance non-vehicular access from the City to the Angeles National Forest trails and open lands remaining in the San Rafael Hills and San Gabriel Mountains, in coordination with the federal Angeles Forest Plan.

OSRE Action 2.1.5:Coordinate planning and management of open space areas with the Conservation Element to support wildlife movement, habitat continuity, and rewilding opportunities, while maintaining the primary open space functions of public access, scenic preservation, and community benefit.

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OSRE Policy 2.2: Provide and preserve open space areas that protect public health and safety, maintain natural landscapes, vegetation, and watershed functions, and allow compatible recreational uses.

OSRE Action 2.2.1: Identify areas subject to natural hazards, such as earthquake fault zones, earthquake-induced landslides, wildfires, debris and mudflows, and unstable slopes, and designate undeveloped areas subject to such hazards as open space to minimize risk to people and property.

OSRE Action 2.2.2: Discourage new development and intensification within open-space areas designated for public safety, allowing only low-impact, safety-compatible uses such as trails, passive recreation, emergency access, and hazard-mitigation improvements that do not increase hazard exposure or interfere with emergency response.

OSRE Action 2.2.3:Adopt arisk-based approachto tree trimmings and brush clearancethat considers tree species, location, wildfire risk, emergency access routes, and environmental conditions to determine appropriate trimming frequency.

OSRE Action 2.2.4: Enforce restrictions on unauthorized off-road vehicles, including e-bikes, from operating within the City limits, except where such use is expressly permitted under applicable regional, state, or federal plans.

OSRE Policy 2.3: Design, manage, and retrofit open space, parks, and trails to reduce wildfire risk, mitigate heat, and support long-term climate resilience while protecting ecological function.

OSRE Action 2.3.1: Incorporate shade and heat mitigation measures into park and trail planning, design, and improvements by combining fire-resistant tree species, strategic canopy placement, shade structures, and complementary cooling strategies in high-use areas such as trailheads, seating areas, play spaces, and pathways.

OSRE Action 2.3.2: Apply fire-resilient and climate-responsive design measures to new parks, recreationalfacilities, and trailheads, andincorporate phased retrofits into existing facilities, prioritizing improvements through the City’s Capital Improvement Program and applicable grant funding.

OSRE Action 2.3.3: Coordinate the planning, design, and management of open space, parks, and trails with Public Works, emergency response agencies, Los Angeles County, and other relevant land management agencies to support wildfire prevention, emergency access, evacuation readiness, trail safety, and hazard mitigation.

OSRE Policy 2.4: Plan and site recreational facilities to balance community demand with neighborhood compatibility, public health, and quality of life.

OSRE Action 2.4.1: Evaluate opportunities to expand recreational facilities to meet community demand by prioritizing locations along major corridors, shared-use sites, or non-residential areas, and away from existing residential neighborhoods.

OSRE Action 2.4.2:Require site-specific noise studies and enhanced siting and design review for new pickleball facilities or the conversion of existing courts located within approximately 600 feet of residential uses, to evaluate potential noise impacts and identify appropriate mitigation measures before approval.

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OSRE Goal 3.0: Provide and enhance park and recreation
opportunities within the City.

OSRE Policy 3.1: Expand access to park, recreation, educational, and cultural opportunities by supporting shared use of facilities, coordinated programming, and collaboration with public agencies, schools, utilities, non-profit organizations, and private partners, in a manner that responds to community needs and available resources.

OSRE Action 3.1.1: Cooperate with public agencies, public utilities, and private organizations, including the Los Angeles County Flood Control District, the Los Angeles County Fire Department, the Los Angeles County Department of Parks and Recreation, the La Cañada Unified School District (LCUSD), and SCE to promote the use and development of public recreation uses on their land. Such facilities are important to the City's efforts in providing a balanced recreation program.

OSRE Action 3.1.2:Evaluate and, wherefeasible, expand joint-use agreements withLCUSDand other public or institutional partners to increase access to athletic fields and active recreation facilities.

OSRE Action 3.1.3: Continue to partner with the facility operator of the Community Center of La Cañada Flintridge to provide and expand recreation and enrichment programs for seniors, youth, and teens, including after-school classes, and regularly assess community needs to refine and update offerings.

OSRE Goal 4.0: Preserve, improve, and expand existing trails and promote coordinated, comprehensive trail systems for hikers, bicyclists, and equestrians.

OSREPolicy 4.1:Plan, implement, and manage the trail system through the Trails Master Plan to guide trail development, mapping, public access, shared use, and long-term stewardship.

OSRE Action 4.1.1: Support the Trails Council in updating the Trails Master Plan in coordination with the County and nearby cities. Any new or planned trail routes, as well as significant additions or modifications, shallbe reviewed and approved by the City Council and/or County Board of Supervisors as appropriate.

OSRE Action 4.1.2: Use the Trails Master Plan as the primary implementation document for the General Plan’s goals and policies related to trails, trail connectivity, and trail-related planning and improvements.

OSRE Action 4.1.3: Support the Trails Council in creating, maintaining, and periodically updating the Trails Mapas the Trails Master Plan is implemented, andmake itavailable for public reference and use through variousmediums such as:
• Posting on the City website
• Print copies available atCity Hall, CommunityCenter, and Library • Posting simplifiedversions atmajor trailheads andParks with trail access

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• Posting a QR Code for easy download of the map at various locations OSRE Action 4.1.4: Update the Trails Map administratively as the Trails Master Plan is implemented.

OSRE Action 4.1.5: Incorporate trail etiquette, shared-use guidance, and safety information into the Trails Map and associated public-facing materials as part of future map updates, trailhead signage, and digital resources.

OSRE Action 4.1.6: Amend the Trails Master Plan or Trails Mapas implementation documents without requiring a General Plan amendment, unless such changes would create an inconsistency with the General Plan’s goals, policies, or other applicable provisions.

OSRE Action 4.1.7: Use the Community Development Department Project Review Procedure: Trails (as included in Trails Master Plan or as modified by the Community Development Director, whichever is the latest update) when reviewing proposed development that is located adjacent to or within current trails, existing trail easement(s), or proposed trail location(s), to evaluate and require mitigation of potential impacts on the trail system.

OSRE Action 4.1.8:Promote safe and compatible shared use of trails through signage, education, and trail design, and consider user conflicts and emergency access needs when planning trail improvements or permitting trail events.

OSRE Action 4.1.9: Establish a coordinated trail maintenance program for vegetation management, erosion control, and post-fire or storm recovery among public works, fire, nonprofit organizations, and applicable land managers to support safe, sustainable trail use.

OSRE Policy 4.2: Implement the Trails Master Plan through dedication of land, targeted purchases, easements, joint-use and shared-access agreements, development conditions and design integration, or other appropriate methods.

OSRE Action 4.2.1: Coordinate with public agencies, public utilities, and private organizations to identify opportunities for trail access or trail facilities on their lands through joint-use agreements, licenses, easements, or other mutually beneficial arrangements.

OSRE Action 4.2.2: Provide planning coordination, mapping information, design guidance, and permitting support to partner agencies and organizations to facilitate trail planning and implementation consistent with the Trails Master Plan.

OSRE Action 4.2.3: Establish and enforce coordinated sustainable trail-maintenance practices among public agencies, public utilities, private organizations, and adjacent property owners to keep recreational trails in good repair and prevent loss of use or access due to encroachment or interference.

OSRE Action 4.2.4: Maintain efforts to work with regional organizations, such as the Santa Monica Mountains Conservancy, to secure funding for the ongoing implementation of the Trails Master Plan.

OSRE Action 4.2.5: Pursue grant funding, active transportation and multimodal funding sources, and cost-sharing arrangements, and partner with public agencies, utilities, and non-profit organizations to support the planning, construction, maintenance, and implementation of trail facilities on both CityPage 287 of 414 La Cañada Flintridge General Plan

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owned and non–City–owned land, coordinating trail planning where appropriate with the City’s multimodal planning efforts.

OSRE Action 4.2.6: Assemble the right-of-way and implement improvements for a circular trail connecting Mayors’ Discovery Park, the Rockridge conservation area, the Link Linear Park on Foothill Boulevard, and the YMCA.

OSRE Action 4.2.7: Install and maintain trail signage that promotes safety and courtesy between all trail users, including equestrians, hikers, and bicyclists, and provides information regarding the trails and their use.

OSRE Action 4.2.8: Preserve the City’s core circular trail by maintaining continuous public access, protecting the trail alignment from encroachment or discontinuity during development and infrastructure projects, coordinating with regional agencies to maintain connections to regional trail networks, and prioritizing maintenance, signage, and wayfinding to reinforce its function as a primary loop and connector.

OSRE Policy 4.3: Manage the City’s trail system to support public safety and long-term usability by preparing for, responding to, and recovering from wildfires, floods, mudslides, and other hazard events, in coordination with emergency response agencies and applicable land managers.

OSRE Action 4.3.1: Following wildfire, mudslide, flooding, or other hazard events, conduct coordinated post-event assessments of trails to evaluate safety, erosion, slope stability, and access conditions, and prioritize phased reopening, repairs, or realignments in coordination with Fire, Public Works, and applicable land managers.

OSRE Action 4.3.2: Implement procedures for temporary trail closures, on-site signage, and public notification following hazard events, and provide timely updates through City communication platforms regarding trail conditions, closures, and reopening status.

OSRE Action 4.3.3: Incorporate hazard-resilient design and adaptive improvements into post-event trail repairs, including erosion control, drainage enhancements, slope stabilization, vegetation management, and fire-resilient materials, to reduce future damage and improve long-term trail performance.

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Table of Contents
INTRODUCTION ............................................................................................................................................ 4 HYDROLOGY................................................................................................................................................. 7 BIOLOGICAL RESOURCES ..........................................................................................................................11 WILDLIFE CONNECTIVITY............................................................................................................................14 VEGETATION................................................................................................................................................18 WETLANDS..................................................................................................................................................20 GEOLOGY AND SOILS ................................................................................................................................. 22 CULTURAL AND HISTORICAL RESOURCES................................................................................................. 25 ENERGY CONSERVATION............................................................................................................................28 SCENIC VISTAS............................................................................................................................................29 GOALS POLICIES AND ACTIONS .................................................................................................................31

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INTRODUCTION
The Conservation Element of the City of La Cañada Flintridge complies with California Government Code Section 65302(d) by establishing policies to conserve and protect natural resources, including land, water, wildlife, vegetation, and air quality, while guiding development in a manner that supports long-term environmental health and resilience.

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INTRODUCTION
The City of La Cañada Flintridge is home to a variety of trees, wildlife, mountains, and valleys that contribute to the City's unique character, beauty, and desirability. The Conservation Element is a required component of the City’s General Plan that identifies and preserves natural and cultural resources within the City and establishes programs and actions to protect them. The word conservation can be defined as the careful preservation, protection, or planned management of natural resources to prevent their exploitation, destruction, or neglect (Merriam-Webster, Inc.,2025). To ensure the community remains healthy and vibrant, it is essential to conserve natural and cultural resources.

Purpose
The Conservation Element aims to identify significant natural and cultural resources within the City and its surrounding areas that are impacted by the activities of residents, workers, and visitors. It provides policies and programs to safeguard these resources and promote their sustainable use. This section covers topics such as water, energy, biological resources, andtopographic, visual, cultural, historical, and paleontological resources.

Air quality is specifically addressed in Chapter 8, the Air Quality Element. The Conservation Element underscores the City's commitment to sustainable, environmentally friendly decision-making during the planning period and acknowledges the interconnectedness of all General Plan elements in achieving the City's sustainability goals.

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Relationship with Other Elements
The Conservation Element was developed to effectively identify and preserve natural and cultural resources in the City of La Cañada Flintridge. This element aligns with other elements of the General Plan by implementing cohesive goals and guiding principles. In particular:
• Land Use Element: The Land Use Element outlines the proposed uses of land, their intensity, and their location. The Conservation Element identifies these natural and cultural areas that are later delineated for open space or recreation purposes in the Land Use Element. • Circulation Element: The Conservation Element informs the Circulation Element by identifying natural areas, such as wildlife corridors, that should be considered when designing transportation corridors or improvements.
• Housing Element: The Conservation Element supports the Housing Element by determining natural or cultural areas that may need to be protected from future development, thereby identifying potential open space areas.
• Open Space and Recreation Element: The Conservation Element and Open Space and Recreation Element are interconnected, both focusing on the preservation and management of spaces. However, while the Open Space and Recreation Element supports these efforts by designating protected areas and promoting environmentally responsible land management practices, the Conservation Element focuses on preserving natural and cultural resources.
• Safety Element: The Conservation Element can enhance the Safety Element by identifying factors such as watersheds, surface waters, groundwater basins, wetlands, soils, geology, and vegetation that are important during natural disasters like floods and wildfires, thereby enabling both elements to effectively complement each other through comprehensive goals. • Noise Element: The Conservation Element identifies natural resources, such as wildlife, that may be harmed by noise pollution. The Conservation Element may create policies that target noise reduction, which inform the Noise Element.
• Air Quality Element: The Conservation Element complements the Air Quality Element by their shared goal of protecting and enhancing the environmental quality within the City.

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EXISTING CONDITIONS ANALYSIS

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HYDROLOGY
Watersheds
A watershed is an area of land where streams and rainfall drain into a common body of water, such asa riveror an ocean. Watersheds include not just water but also the people, wildlife, and vegetation living within them.

The Los Angeles River Watershed is approximately 824 square miles long, spanning the entirety of the City of La Cañada Flintridge (see FIGURE 1). An important sub-watershed of the Los Angeles River watershed, the Arroyo Seco, is located in central Los Angeles County, between the San Gabriel Mountains and the Los Angeles River. Lying partially within the watershed are the Angeles National Forest and the cities of Los Angeles, South Pasadena, Pasadena, and La Cañada Flintridge, as well as the unincorporated area of Altadena. The watershed runs for 22 miles through a deeply incised canyon, beginning beneath Strawberry Peak in the San Gabriel Mountains and draining into the Los Angeles River near downtown Los Angeles. The Arroyo Seco drops from nearly 6,100 feet at its headwaters on Strawberry Peak to 320 feet at its confluence with the Los Angeles River, draining 47 square miles. Prior to widespread development in the watershed, the lower Arroyo Seco south of Devil’s Gate Dam was fed by numerous springs and small creeks emerging fromthe surrounding hills. However, this discharge, combined with the highly permeable soils of the Arroyo floodplain, was often insufficient to sustain the Arroyo’s flow year-round. In many dry summers, the Arroyo dried up in stretches, only to reappear above the surface where geologic conditions forced groundwater to the surface.

The Los Angeles Regional Water Quality Control Board (RWQCB) is responsible for regulating the Los Angeles Watershed. The City of La Cañada Flintridge currently holds a National Pollutant Discharge Elimination System (NPDES) permit, which authorizes the City to implement feasible measures to prevent stormwater pollution.

Stormwater refers to rainwater runoff that flows throughboth natural landscapes and urban areas. The NPDES permit enables the City to implement programs such as public outreach, elimination of illicit discharges and illicit connections, development planning and construction, inspections of industrial facilities, and public agency activities that achieve the City’s necessary water-quality standards (City of La Cañada Flintridge, 2025).

Surface Waters
The main surface water bodies within the Planning Area include the Arroyo Seco Reaches and the tributaries of Bear Canyon, all of which fall within the Arroyo Seco Watershed, a sub-watershed of the Los Angeles River Watershed (EPA, 2025). Within the City, streams flow through several canyons and across the foothills and flatlands. A significant sub-watershed of the Arroyo Seco within the City is Flint Wash, draining approximately

5.5 square miles of the City. The lower three-quarters of a mile of Flint Wash is a natural, unlined channel with intermittent bank modifications. Approximately 2,000 feet of this length lies in La Cañada Flintridge, with the remainder in Pasadena. Most of the unlined portion in La Cañada Flintridge is on private property. The rest of Flint Wash consists of a series of lined channels that drain over five square miles of La Cañada Flintridge.

Surface waters of the Arroyo Seco are contaminated by urban runoff. Urban runoff refers to rainwater or melted snow that runs through streets, parking lots, sidewalks, and other urban areas, collects pollutants such as chemicals and debris from these surfaces, and then flows into storm drains and waterways, where it may in turn pollute existing water bodies. The Arroyo Seco has been on the Clean Water Act Section 303(d) list of impaired waterways since at least 2018 due to trash in unspecified urban stormwater and urban runoff, as well as pathogens. The Clean Water Act, originally enacted in 1972, sets water quality standards, establishes a permit system to control pollutant discharges, provides funding for sewage treatment plants, and aims to protect wetlands.

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Groundwater Basins
A groundwater basin is a natural underground reservoir where water is stored in the pores of permeable rock and sediment. These basins collect and hold groundwater, which is used for drinking, irrigation, and industrial purposes. The City of La Cañada Flintridge lies within the San Fernando Valley and the Raymond Groundwater Basin (see FIGURE 2).

The San Fernando Valley Groundwater Basin spans 226 square miles. It is bordered by the Santa Susana Mountains to the north and northwest, the San Gabriel Mountains to the north and northeast, the San Rafael Hills to the east, the Santa Monica Mountains and Chalk Hills to the south, and the Simi Hills to the west (California Department of Water Resources, 2004). The Upper Los Angeles River Area Watermaster manages the basin, which serves several public water agencies, including the City of Burbank Water Division, City of Glendale Department of Water and Power, City of Los Angeles Department of Water and Power, City of San Fernando Water Department, Crescent Valley County Water District, and Metropolitan Water District. The basin's storage capacity is estimated at 3,670,000 acre-feet 1 .

The Raymond Groundwater Basin covers a surface area of 40.9 square miles. It is bounded by the San Gabriel Mountains to the north, the San Rafael Hills to the southwest, the Pickens Canyon Wash to the west, and the Raymond Fault to the southwest (California Department of Water Resources, 2004). Managed by the Raymond Basin Management Board, this basin serves the public water agencies of the La Canada Irrigation District, the Kinneloa Irrigation District, the San Gabriel County Water District, the City of Pasadena, the City of Alhambra, and the City of Arcadia. The basin's storage capacity is calculated at 1,450,000 acre-feet 2 .

Water Quality and Resources
The Safe Drinking Water Act, initially passed in 1974 and amended in 1996, establishes water standards for over 90 contaminants and mandates consumer confidence reports from all community water systems.

Community water systems are defined as those that serve the same individuals year-round. The City of La Cañada is served by four water districts: La Cañada Irrigation District, Liberty Utilities, Valley Water Company, and Crescenta Valley Water District. Consumer confidence reports provide information on water sources and contaminants such as lead and copper. These reports are readily available to the public and residents of the City.

The City of La Cañada Flintridge Municipal Code (Municipal Code), Chapter 4.23, Water-Efficient Landscaping, acknowledges the limitationsof state water resources and emphasizes conservation. Municipal Code Chapter

4.23 applies to new construction projects with a landscape area greater than 500 square feet, as well as rehabilitated landscape projects with an area of 2,500 square feet or more. 1California Department of Water Resources, B118 Basin Boundary Description San Fernando Valley Groundwater Basin. https://water.ca.gov/-/media/DWR-Website/Web-Pages/Programs/Groundwater-Management/Bulletin-118/Files/2003-BasinDescriptions/4_012_SanFernandoValley.pdf 2 California Department of Water Resources, B118 Basin Boundary Description Raymond Groundwater Basin. https://water.ca.gov/- /media/DWR-Website/Web-Pages/Programs/Groundwater-Management/Bulletin-118/Files/2003-BasinDescriptions/4_023_Raymond.pdf

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FIGURE 1: WATERSHEDS

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FIGURE 2: GROUNDWATER BASINS

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BIOLOGICAL RESOURCES
This section discusses the existing biological resources of the Planning Area to guide the General Plan Element Update. The Planning Area is primarily developed for suburban uses and is situated between large open-space natural areas. Open space areas that contain notable biological resources include Cherry Canyon, the San Rafael Hills, and the Angeles National Forest in the northern portion of the City. Large natural communities within the Planning Area are home to a variety of biologically sensitive and significant plant and animal species.

Special Status Species and Natural Communities
Special-Status Species and Natural Communities are plants, animals, and habitat types that are recognized by federal, state, or local agencies as being rare, threatened, endangered, or otherwise sensitive to human or environmental pressures. The Habitat Conservation Division (HCD) of the California Department of Fish and Wildlife (CDFW) maintains the California Natural Diversity Database (CNDDB). 3CNDDB is used to gather and distribute data on the status and locations of rare and endangered plants, animals, and vegetation types. A query of special status species occurrences was conducted on the CNDDB RareFind BIOS Viewer for the Planning Area. 4 A list of CNDDB and USFWS occurrences is identified in TABLE 1.

The CNDDB and USFWS list eleven species occurrences within the Planning Area. These species include four plants (plummer’s mariposa lily, greata’s aster, parry’s spineflower, and the sonoran maiden fern), six animal species (southern California legless lizard, coast range newt, least bell’s vireo, American peregrine falcon, and the silver-haired bat), the San Gabriel chestnut snail and Crotch’s bumble bee. Plant species occurrences are primarily concentrated in the San Rafael Hills and Cherry Canyon; however, the special status species of vertebrates and invertebrates have a wider occurrence range into urban, residential portions of the Planning Area.

This list includes species that are identified by USFWS and the CNDDB. Further surveys must be conducted for project-specific CEQA review within the Planning Area to compile a more detailed, exhaustive list of specialstatus species.

TABLE 1: SPECIAL STATUS SPECIES OCCURRENCES IN THE PLANNING AREA Species Scientific Name Federal Status State Status Other Status Southern California
legless lizard Anniella stebbinsi None None CDFW: SSCUSFS: S Plummer’s mariposa
lily Calochortus plummerae None None None
Greata’s aster Symphyotrichum greatae None None None
San Gabriel Chestnut
snail Glyptostoma gabrielense None None None
Crotch’s bumble bee Bombus crotchii None Candidate
endangered IUCN: EN
Coast Range newt Taricha torosa None None USFS: S
3 The California Natural Diversity Database: A Natural Heritage Program for Rare and Species and Vegetation, Roxanne Bittman, October 2001. Accessed October 2025.

U.S. Fish and Wildlife Services, Environmental Conservation Online System, CDFW, CNDDB. 2025. Accessed: October 2025

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Species Scientific Name Federal Status State Status Other Status Parry’s spineflower Chorizanthe parryi var
parryi None None None
Sonoran maiden fern Pelazoneuron puberulum
var sonorense
None None None
Least bell’s vireo Vireo belli pusillus Endangered Endangered IUCN: NT American peregrine
falcon Falco peregrinus anatum Delisted Delisted USFS: S Silver-haired bat Lasionycteris
noctivagans None None IUCN: LC
USFS: S –U.S. Forest Service, Sensitive.

IUCN: EN – International Union for Conservation of Nature, Endangered.

IUCN: LC – International Union for Conservation of Nature, LeastConcern.

IUCN: NT – International Union for Conservation of Nature, Near Threatened.

CDFW: SSC – California Department of Fish and Wildlife, Species of Special Concern Source: U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, Environmental Conservation Online System, CDFW, CNDDB.

Critical Habitat
Critical habitats are sites within a specific geographic area occupied by the species that contain the physical or biological features that are essential to the conservation of endangered and threatened species, and that may need special management or protection. 5
A search was conducted on the U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service’s Information for Planning and Consultation (IPaC) online tool for the Planning Area to determine critical habitats for species listed under the Endangered Species Act that are threatened, endangered, or candidates for or proposed for listing. The IPaC results indicate that there are designated critical habitats for ten endangered species in the Planning Area, as shown in TABLE 2.

These species have different designations of critical habitat status: none, proposed, and final. However, no critical habitat units fall within the Planning Area.

Final designated critical habitats have been identified within surrounding parts of the region for species including the Southwestern willow flycatcher (Empidonax traillii extimus), Santa Ana sucker (Catostomus santaanae), and Braunton’s milk-vetch (Astragalus brauntonii); however, no final designated critical habitats intersect within the Planning Area as confirmed by IPaC review.

TABLE 2: CRITICAL HABITAT SUMMARY – IPAC REVIEW FOR THE PLANNING AREA Species Status Critical Habitat Status
California Condor Endangered Final critical habitat designated California Spotted Owl Proposed Endangered No critical habitat designated Least Bell’s Vireo Endangered Final critical habitat designated Southwestern Willow Flycatcher Endangered Final critical habitat designated Southwestern Pond Turtle Proposed Threatened No critical habitat designated Western Spadefoot Proposed Threatened No critical habitat designated Monarch Butterfly Proposed Threatened Proposed critical habitat under review
Braunton’s Milk-vetch Endangered Final critical habitat designated 5 U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, Critical Habitat, March 2017. Accessed October 2025.

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Species Status Critical Habitat Status
Nevin’s Barberry Endangered Final critical habitat designated Slender-horned Spineflower Endangered No critical habitat designated California Condor Endangered Final critical habitat designated California Spotted Owl Proposed Endangered No critical habitat designated Least Bell’s Vireo Endangered Final critical habitat designated Source:U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (USFWS). 2025. IPaC Resource List for Los Angeles County. Accessed via https://ipac.ecosphere.fws.gov/
Current information from the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (2025) indicates that no federally designated or proposed critical habitat overlaps with the Planning Area. Therefore, while several listed species may occur regionally, no direct conflicts with critical habitat are anticipated. Smaller-scale projects and activities will still be required to determine and evaluate potential impacts to listed species and their habitats, including any updated critical habitat designations that may occur in the future.

In addition to the critical habitat for endangered species, the IPaC review indicated that bald and golden eagles occur within the Planning Area. Bald eagles are protected under the Bald and Golden Eagle Protection Act and the Migratory Bird Treaty Act. IPaC review indicates that neither the bald eagle nor the golden eagle is a Bird of Conservation Concern (BCC) in the Planning Area. A BCC is defined as a migratory and non-migratory bird species (beyond those already designated as federally threatened or endangered) that represents the highest conservation priorities. 6 Although neither bird is listed as a BCC, their presence warrants attention because of the Bald and Golden Eagle Protection Act (16 U.S.C. 668-668d) requirements. 7

To comply with the Bald and Golden Eagle Protection Act and reduce impacts of human-induced alterations around potential nest sites, activities within the Planning Area should follow applicable regulations and consider implementing avoidance and minimization measures. The National Bald Eagle Management Guidelines provide timing and activity-specific distance recommendations when designing projects to avoid and minimize nesting bald eagle impacts, and site-specific recommendations regarding nesting golden eagles can be found by contacting the regional Migratory Bird Office and Ecological Services Field Office. However, as indicated above, the golden eagle and bald eagle are not listed as a BCC for the Planning Area, and site-specific CEQA review will be conducted as subsequent development occurs to minimize or eliminate potential impacts to nesting golden eagles and bald eagles.
6U.S. Fish and Wildlife. Birds of Conservation Concern. Birds of Conservation Concern 2021 | FWS.gov. May 19, 2021. Accessed October 2025.
7 U.S. Fish and Wildlife. Bald and Golden Eagle Protection Act. Bald and Golden Eagle Protection Act | U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service.

Accessed October 2025.

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WILDLIFE CONNECTIVITY
Human development and ecological connectivity can be balanced by identifying and conserving areas supporting native wildlife and their habitats. Maintaining connectivity between large blocks of natural habitat and open space is critical to facilitate the movement of wildlife species between these areas. Furthermore, the value of wildlife movement corridors should be analyzed at all scales, from the statewide down to more localized movement within the Planning Area. Senate Bill (SB) 1425 (2022) and Assembly Bill (AB) 1889 (2024) together strengthen the role of General Plans in supporting wildlife connectivity and movement. SB 1425 requires cities to consider how open space contributes to climate resilience, including preserving habitat corridors and reducing fragmentation. AB 1889 builds on this by mandating that the Open Space Element specifically identify wildlife corridors, assess barriers to movement, and incorporate strategies to protect or restore habitat linkages using the best available science and in coordination with the California Department of Fish and Wildlife. Together, these laws ensure that land use planning actively supports biodiversity, ecosystem function, and species adaptation to climate change.

The Planning Area has the potential to support a variety of wildlife species, including birds, riparian-dependent species, and pollinators. Many terrestrial mammal species with varying home range sizes are also known to occur in the region and may also movethrough the Planning Area, including raccoon, bobcat, deer, coyote, and mountain lion. Although the Planning Area is largely built out, large blocks of natural habitat occur in the areas surrounding the City and may facilitate the movement of wildlife through the region. Notably, the northern portion of the Planning Area occurs within the foothills of the San Gabriel Mountains, which connect wildlife populations well beyond the City to the Angeles National Forest in the north. The eastern portion of the Planning Area occurs within the Arroyo Seco watershed; the Arroyo Seco River, fed by Flint Wash, conveys flows to the south and provides habitat for a variety of riparian species along the vegetated corridor. The San Rafael Hills also occur along the southern portion of the Planning Area and contain canyons and streams that eventually drain into the Arroyo Seco.

Terrestrial Connectivity
California Department of Fish and Wildlife (CDFW) provides mapping of wildlife connectivity and natural habitat blocks throughout the state. These terrestrial connectivity maps provide spatial data on wildlife, vegetation, and habitat connectivity, summarized in 2.5-square-mile hexagons, to support biodiversity conservation and climate resilience planning. The blocks are ranked on a scale of 1 to 5 as follows. • 1 - Limited Connectivity Opportunity
• 2 - Large Natural Habitat Areas
• 3 - Connections with Implementation Flexibility
• 4 - Conservation Planning Linkages
• 5 - Irreplaceable and Essential Corridors
As shown in FIGURE 3 the Planning Area is mapped with a Connectivity Ranking of 1, due to its limited opportunities for connectivity and existing built condition. However, several small areas of natural habitat are mapped within the Planning Area, including areas along the northern foothills, along the Arroyo Seco to the east, and within the San Rafael Hills to the south. While the landscape of natural habitat within these mapped areas should be preserved to maintain the persistence of wildlife within the Planning Area, any potential connections between these areas should also be identified, enhanced, and protected to maximize wildlife movement within and well beyond the Planning Area.

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FIGURE 3: TERRESTRIAL CONNECTIVITY MAP

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Potential Penetration Corridors
CDFW provides data on Natural Landscape Blocks, which are areas of relatively intact habitat identified through the California Essential Habitat Connectivity analysis. Large Natural Landscape Blocks are defined as contiguous habitat areas greater than 2,000 acres that remain minimally fragmented by roads or development and function as core areas for regional biodiversity, wildlife movement, and ecosystem resilience. Smaller Natural Areas or landscape blocks are habitat areas of less than 2,000 acres that, while excluded from the statewide large-block designation, still provide important local ecological functions and can serve as steppingstones that support fine-scale wildlife movement and connectivity.

In La Cañada Flintridge, large Natural Landscape Blocks are concentrated along the City’s northern boundary within the Angeles National Forest and the San Gabriel Mountains, forming part of a regionally significant habitat network that supports wide-ranging species such as mountain lion, mule deer, bobcat, and coyote (refer to FIGURE 4). Smaller natural areas along the foothill interface, including portions of the San Rafael Hills and Verdugo Mountains, contribute to local habitat value and are particularly important for species such as mule deer, smaller mammals, reptiles, and birds that rely on continuous or semi-continuous cover for daily movement, foraging, and dispersal. While these areas do not meet the size threshold for large Natural Landscape Blocks, they provide meaningful local habitat, ecological value, and opportunities for connectivity between larger regional open spaces. Incorporating these smaller blocks into planning efforts supports finescale habitat connectivity, advances the intent of SB 1425 and AB 1889, and reinforces biodiversity and ecosystem function within and adjacent to the City’s developed areas.

Opportunities
Based on the current built condition of the Planning Area, two main opportunities have been identified to support wildlife movement, as shown in FIGURE 4. An approximately one-mile-long Southern California Edison (SCE) transmission easement runs north-south across the City, from the foothills to the Interstate 210 (I-210) freeway; this easement contains transmission structures along the approximately 0.75-mile-long corridor and supports a network of hiking trails for community members. Because the easement is restricted from major development due to utility maintenance requirements, this stretch of semi-open space experiences significantly less direct human disturbance compared to its immediate surroundings (e.g., commercial and residential development, vehicular traffic), making wildlife more likely to occur along this alignment. This alignment has the potential to support wildlife movement between thenorthern foothills and southern portions of the Planning Area. Habitat restoration compatible with utility maintenance requirements within the easement has the potential to support pollinators, which may also move through adjacent areas with suitable vegetation. Although there is a potential connection from the foothills to the San Rafael Hills via the SCE easement, further coordination with SCE, land managers (e.g., habitat conservancies), and other stakeholders should be pursued to identify opportunitiesto address the existing obstruction at I-210 andencourage passage through the entire corridor.

The eastern portion of the Planning Area also serves as a buffer to the Arroyo Seco corridor. Although the majority of the streambed lies outside of the Planning Area and within the adjacent municipality, interjurisdictional coordination is encouraged to manage the buffer areas within the Planning Area as well as the areas directly within the Arroyo Seco corridor. Through this partnership, the protection and/or restoration of these areas, including the buffer areas, would help encourage wildlife’s use of the corridor for movement and habitation.

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FIGURE 4: POTENTIAL PENETRATION CORRIDORS

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VEGETATION The Planning Area is composed of a mosaic of urban and varied non-urban landscapes. According to the California Department of Forestry and Fire Protection, the vegetation communities within the Planning Area, as seen in FIGURE 5, include annual grassland, coastal oak woodland, coastal scrub, mixed chaparral, desert wash, lacustrine, montane hardwood, sierran mixed conifer and urban development. The majority of the Planning Area is considered urban, with a total coverage of approximately 3,835 acres. Most vegetation communities occur in the northern portions of the Planning Area, like Winery Canyon, and southern areas like Cherry Canyon Park and Descanso Gardens. See TABLE 3 for a list of vegetation communities and corresponding acreages within the Planning Area.
• Coastal Oak Woodland: Coastal oak woodland consists of an overstory that has deciduous and evergreen hardwoods approximately 15-70 feet tall, sometimes mixed with scattered conifers. They are comprised of slow-growing, long-lived trees. This vegetation type provides a habitat for at least 60 species of mammals and 110 species of birds observed during the breeding season in California, where oaks form a significant part of the canopy or subcanopy. • Coastal Scrub: Coastal Scrub is comprised of low to moderate-sized shrubs with mesophytic leaves, flexible branches, semi-woody stems growing from a woody base, and a shallow root system. These can range up to 7 feet tall with a canopy cover usually around 100 percent. No single species is typical of all Coastal Scrub stands.
• Mixed Chapparal: Mixed Chapparal is a structurally homogeneous brushland type dominated by shrubs with thick, stiff, heavy cutinized evergreen leaves. Shrub height and crown cover can vary considerably due to the age of the last burn, soil, and precipitation. It is a floristically rich type that supports approximately 240 woody plant species.
• Urban: The structure of urban vegetation varies, with five types of vegetative structure defined: tree grove, street strip, shade tree/lawn, lawn, and shrub cover. The urban residential zone is characterized by a denser and more varied mosaic of vegetation: shade trees, lawns, hedges and planted gardens; approximately 40 percent of the land’s surface is covered by impervious material. Suburban areas with mature vegetation closely approximate the natural environment. Wildlife includes California quails, wrentits, black-tailed deer, ringtail, black-tailed jackrabbit, gopher snake, and western fence lizard.

TABLE 3: VEGETATION COMMUNITIES
Vegetation Type Acres Percent
Annual Grassland 27 acres Less than 1%
Coastal Oak Woodland 529.2 9.6%
Coastal Scrub 131 2.4%
Desert Wash Less than 1 acre Less than 1%
Lacustrine 11.1 Less than 1%
Mixed Chaparral 959.5 17.3%
Montane Hardwood 31.9 Less than 1%
Sierran Mixed Conifer 6.3 Less than 1%
Urban 3,835 69.3%
Valley Foothill Riparian Less than 1 acre Less than 1%
Total 5,531 100.0%
Source:California Department of Forestry and Fire Protection, GIS Mapping and Data Analytics, 2018.

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FIGURE 5: VEGETATION COMMUNITIES

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WETLANDS

According to the National Wetlands Inventory (NWI) 8, there are four different types of wetlands throughout the Planning Area, including freshwater emergent wetland, freshwater forested/shrub wetland, freshwater pond and riverine. These wetlands and their location throughout the Planning Area are shown on FIGURE 6, and are described below.
• Freshwater Emergent Wetland: This wetland falls under a Palustrine (P) System, which includes all nontidal wetlands dominated by trees, shrubs, persistent emergent, emergent mosses, or lichens where salinity due to ocean-derived salts is below 0.5 ppt. It is further classified as Emergent (EM), characterized by erect, rooted, herbaceous hydrophytes. Vegetation is present for most of the growing season in most years, and freshwater emergent wetlands are usually dominated by perennial plants.

Three freshwater emergent wetlands are found within the Planning Area, mostly dispersed throughout the northern portion of the Planning Area and connected to larger wetlands like riverine wetlands. • Freshwater Forest/Shrub Wetland: There are four freshwater forest/shrub wetlands throughout the Planning Area. These wetlands are concentrated within the northern portion of the Planning Area between ridges at the base of the San Gabriel Mountains andare connected to larger riverine systems and smaller freshwater ponds.
• Freshwater Pond: A freshwater pond is a body of standing artificial or natural water that is usually smaller than a lake. Three freshwater ponds are found throughout the Planning Area, mostly in open space or natural areas, such as at the base of the San Gabriel Mountains and within the southerncentral portion of the City in Descanso Gardens. Freshwater ponds are often connected to other wetlands within the Planning Area, such as riverine wetlands. • Riverine: Riverine wetlands include all wetlands and deepwater habitats contained within a channel, except for wetlands dominated by vegetation and habitats with a high salinity (over 0.5 ppt). Riverine wetlands consist of channels of water that connect to the sea or to smaller bodies of water, such as lakes or streams. Two large riverine wetlands flow throughout the Planning Area, primarily in the northern and southern portions. The riverines form a network of water channels that connect to smaller freshwater ponds or freshwater wetlands in the Planning Area. 8 U.S. Fish and Wildlife. National Wetlands Inventory. Wetlands Mapper | U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service. 2025. Accessed October 2025.

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FIGURE 6: WETLANDS

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GEOLOGY AND SOILS
The Planning Area is located on the Transverse Range province of southern California (FIGURE 7). The Transverse Ranges extend from the western part of the southern California coast, where the Santa Ynez Mountains plunge beneath the Pacific Ocean at Point Arguello, to the eastern end of the Little San Bernardino Mountains in central Riverside County, and even beyond. The total length of the Transverse Ranges exposed above sea level is about 300 miles and is characterized by great topographic contrasts, including much of the highest ground in southern California. 9
More specifically, the Planning Area is defined within the San Gabriel Mountains range: a bold, high mass that extends from the east end of the Ventura basin near Newhall to Cajon Canyon northeast of San Bernandino, about 60 miles. This range is lens-shaped in plan and rises to general altitudes of 5,000 to 9,000 feet. The range is bounded on all sides by major faults and consists of plutonic igneous rocks of late Mesozoic age, together with a very complex series of older plutonic, metasedimentary, and metavolcanic rocks. The Verdugo Mountains and San Rafael Hills form a ridge, 15 miles long and 3 miles wide, that is an upfaulted sliver of crystalline rocks along the south side of the western San Gabriel Mountains 10. This ridge forms a part of the east boundary of the San Fernando Valley, northeast of Los Angeles.

Within the San Gabriel Mountain range, the Planning Area rests on the Crescenta Valley: a southward-sloping piedmont plain formed at the foot of the San Gabriel Range, flanked on the southeastern border by the San Rafael Hills. 11 This creates a varied topography throughout the Planning Area with elevations ranging from 970 feet in low-lying areas to about 2,400 feet at the highest neighborhood on the northern side. Crescenta Valley is composed of soil attributed to the Hanford andVista-Amargosa soil associations (FIGURE 8). Low-lying areas rest upon Hanford soils, while upland regions are supported by Vista-Amargosa soil. Hanford soils are composed of loam and sandy loam soils formed on gently sloping alluvial fans below 3,500 feet in elevation.

Vista-Amargosa soils consist of shallow sandy loam on steep bedrock slopes at elevations ranging from 1,300 to 3,900 feet. 12
Mineral resources are defined as mineral deposits that contain useful concentrations of valuable minerals, which may or may not be economically viable to extract. They are classified as mineral or ore reserves when they can be mined profitably, giventechnological processes and market conditions. Several areas identified as mineral resource zones are located in the vicinity of the Planning Area. According to the California Geological Survey’s Update of Mineral Land Classification of Portland Cement ConcreteAggregate in Los Angeles County (Open File Report 94-14), the Planning Area lies within MRZ-2 (areas of regionally significant mineral deposits), located on the northeastern side. There are no oil or gas fields located within the Planning Area based on CalGEM Well Finder data from 2025.
9 Thomas L. Bailey and Richard H. Jahns. Geology of the Transverse Range of Southern California. 289179767.pdf. Accessed November 2025.
10 Ibid. 11 U.S. Department of the Interior. Flood in La Canada Valley California. https://pubs.usgs.gov/wsp/0796c/report.pdf. Accessed November 2025.
12 City of La Canada Flintridge. Local Hazard Mitigation Plan 2024-2029. LHMP2024to2029.pdf. Accessed November 2025.

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FIGURE 7: GEOLOGY

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FIGURE 8: SOILS

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CULTURAL AND HISTORICAL RESOURCES
Throughout its history, La Cañada Flintridge has
been shaped by a diverse tapestry of people and
events, each leaving a distinct mark on the city’s
landscape. From its earliest days when the
Shoshonean people thrived among its hills, to the
era of Spanish missions and ranchos, every chapter
adds depth to its story. As the City evolved,
welcoming new settlers and embracing
transformative milestones such as the arrival of the
scientific institution, the Jet Propulsion Laboratory,
its character became richer and more complex. This
appreciation for the past is still evident today. Many
of La Cañada Flintridge’s buildings and sites are
recognized for their historical significance, reflecting the architectural styles, stories, and aspirations of
those who came before. 13
Historic Resources
Within the City of La Cañada Flintridge, multiple
buildings have been identified as significant
historical resources at the local, state, and federal
levels, as shown in TABLE 4. Under the California Government Code Sections 50280-50290, also known as the Mills Act, local governments may establish, implement, and manage their own historical preservation programs. Cities may enter into a contract with owners who have qualifying historic properties to provide tax reduction incentives to restore, rehabilitate, and use historic properties. These properties are essential parts of the City’s history. There are currently 84 structures registered as historic resources in the City of La Cañada Flintridge, showcasing the City's rich history and the enduring stories told by its historic buildings.

Archaeological Resources
No historical archaeological sites have been identified or recorded within the City of La Cañada Flintridge 14.

TABLE 4: HISTORICAL LANDMARKS
Structure Year Location Listing
Lanterman House 1915 4420 Encinas Drive National Register of Historic Places
Residence 1901 4905 Alta Canyada Rd Local
Residence 1929 4936 Alta Canyada Rd Local
13 City of La Cañada Flintridge, City History, https://lcf.ca.gov/city-history/ 14 City of La Cañada Flintridge, Mitigated Negative Declaration and Initial Study Checklist, https://lcf.ca.gov/wpcontent/uploads/2021/10/600-Foothill-Mixed-Use-MND.pdf

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Structure Year Location Listing
Degnan Residence 1925 5200 Alta Canyada Rd Local
Residence 1927 5237 Alta Canyada Rd Local
Earl Residence 1965 5521 Alta Canyada Rd Local
Residence 1925 3924 Alta Vista Dr Local
Residence 1927 3932 Alta Vista Dr Local
Wall Residence 1929 3972 Alta Vista Dr Local
Standish Mitchell Residence 1923 632 Berkshire Ave Local Douglas Mitchell Residence 1923 640 Berkshire Ave Local DryboroughHall; Villa Ardbnaree 1918 700 Berkshire Ave Local Residence 1930 701 Berkshire Ave Local
Residence 1916 800 Berkshire Ave Local
Residence 1923 348 Blythe Rd Local
McCollum Residence; Mille Fleurs 1932 5026 Castle Rd Local Wallace Residence; El Nido 1911 5455 Castle Knoll Rd Local Residence 1927 600 Chatham Pl Local
Residence 1926 3713 Chevy Chase Dr Local
Edward Residence 1926 3718 Chevy Chase Dr Local
Residence 1926 3733 Chevy Chase Dr Local
Residence 1921 4225 Chevy Chase Dr Local
Residence 1929 4230 Chevy Chase Dr Local
Green Residence 1927 4151 Commonwealth Ave Local
Residence 1914 2102 Cross St Local
Residence 1927 503 Dartmouth Pl Local
Katherine Flint Residence 1929 524 Dartmouth Pl Local
Residence 1932 900 Descanso Dr Local
Descanso Gardens - 1418 Descanso Dr Local and National Register Endicott Residence 1966 3820 Domal Ln Local
Residence 1927 4162 Dorset Pl Local
Martin Residence 1928 4163 Dorset Pl Local
Residence 1926 5103 Earl Dr Local
Residence 1931 1741 Earlmont Ave Local
Residence 1929 1694 Fairmount Ave Local
Edwin T. Earl Residence 1911 1743 Fairmount Ave Local
Residence 1914 1135 Fairview Drive Local
Residence 1915 700 Flintridge Ave Local
(William) Flint Residence 1949 758 Flintridge Ave Local Thomas Residence 1924 887 Flintridge Ave Local
Residence 1929 607 Foxwood Rd Local
Residence 1924 435 Georgian Rd Local
Eckhardt Residence 1932 501 Georgian Rd Local
Residence 1925 530 Georgian Rd Local
Salisbury Residence 1925 4420 Gould Ave Local
(Daniel) Green Residence 1921 1023 Green Ln Local

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Structure Year Location Listing
Gantvoort Residence 1949 3778 Hampstead Rd Local
McKay Residence 1922 810 Highland Dr Local
Robbins Residence 1927 717 Hillcrest Ave Local
Hanson Residence 1922 739 Hillcrest Ave Local
Jutten Residence 1918 757 Hillcrest Ave Local
Motley Flint Residence 1926 811 Inverness Dr Local
Residence 1929 5147 Jarvis Ave Local
Lewin Residence 1962 5210 Jessen Dr Local
Gainsburg Residence 1948 1210 Journeys End Dr Local
McLaglen Residence; Fairhaven 1927 1219 Journeys End Dr Local Residence 1930 4630 La Canada Bl Local
Residence 1928 4720 La Canada Bl Local
Residence 1918 5250 La Canada Bl Local
Residence 1925 1966 Lombardy Dr Local
Residence 1932 2102 Lyans Dr Local
Residence 1923 381 Meadow Grove St Local
Residence 1931 384 Meadow Grove St Local
Residence 1928 535 Meadow Grove St Local
Residence 1926 551 Meadow Grove St Local
Cavens Residence 1925 555 Meadow Grove St Local
Residence 1924 566 Meadow Grove St Local
Residence 1930 582 Meadow Grove St Local
Residence 1926 605 Meadow Grove St Local
La Casa Bonita 1922 619 Meadow Grove St Local
Barneson Residence 1934 4852 Ocean View Bl Local
Residence 1910 818 Old Landmark Ln Local
Residence 1927 1937 Orchard Ln Local
Moses Residence 1890 4725 Palm Dr Local
Squire House 1956 5323 Palm Dr Local
Phillips Residence 1928 445 Somerset Pl Local
Harrison Residence 1927 453 Somerset Pl Local
Flintridge Hotel; Flintridge Biltmore 1876 440 St Katherine Dr Local Residence 1957 1401 Sugar Loaf Dr Local
Jacob Lanterman Residence;
Homewood
1876 1322 Verdugo Bl Local
Residence 1925 4111 Woodleigh Ln Local
Residence 1926 4166 Woodleigh Ln Local
Residence 1930 4174 Woodleigh Ln Local
Berkus Residence 1966 4305 Woodleigh Ln Local
La Cañada Thursday Club 1923 4440 Woodleigh Ln Local
Source: City of La Cañada Flintridge Official Register of Historic Properties (February 17, 2026)

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ENERGY CONSERVATION
Renewable Energy
Southern California Edison (SCE) provides electricity to the City, and the City receives its natural gas through Southern California Gas Company. The City is aligning itself with statewide initiatives to adopt policies and plans that maximize energy conservation through the implementation of renewable energy. As such, the City Council approved membership to the Clean Power Alliance (CPA) in November 2023 to provide residents and businesses with greater access to renewable energy options. City Council selected CPA’s 100% Green energy tier as the primary energy rate for residents and businesses. This decision reflects the City’s commitment to sustainability and to reducing its carbon footprint by providing 100% renewable energy from sources like the sun and wind. This transition is expected to take place in October 2025. 15 Green Initiatives
The City has created several initiatives to increase sustainability and energy efficiency in recent years. In October 2025, the City transitioned to Green Halo for tracking all Construction & Demolition (C&D) waste management. 16 The adoption of Green Halo is expected to enhance the user experience for contractors, developers, and residents by providing a centralized, user-friendly interface to track and document waste diversion. This change aligns with the City’s environmental goals and ensures compliance with state and local recycling requirements. Other recent initiatives include the launch ofa Property Assessed Clean Energy (PACE) Program. 17 Through its partnership with the California Statewide Communities Development Authority (CSCDA), the CSCDA PACE program provides financing to residential and commercial property owners to overcome the strain of up-front payments forrenewable energy upgrades. In addition to this, the City has also formed a Sustainability and Resilience Commission18 to advise City Council on key environmental and sustainability issues affecting the surrounding community. The City established an instant solar permit (ISP) program19 to streamline the permitting process by instantly issuing an ISP for code-compliant systems. 2024 Climate Action and Adaptation Plan
In 2024, the City approved its comprehensive 2024 Climate Action and Adaptation Plan (CAAP). 20 It was part of a multi-year effort by the community and the City to create a guiding document to achieve greenhouse gas emissions reductions at both the municipal and community-wide levels. The plan includes a vision and commitment to achieve carbon neutrality by 2045, with interim goals of reducing emissions by 40% by 2030 and 58% by 2035. Key strategies include transitioning to 100% renewable energy, increasing electric vehicle infrastructure, and promoting building electrification. The CAAP is intentionally a living document that can be revised as needed with clear and transparent metrics by which progress can be both assessed and measured. 15 La Canada Flintridge. Clean Power Alliance. Clean Power Alliance | City of La Cañada Flintridge. Accessed November 2025. 16 La Canada Flintridge. New Waste Management Tracking System Green Halo, City of La Cañada Flintridge Transitions to New Waste Management Tracking System Green Halo | City of La Cañada Flintridge. Accessed November 2025. 17 La Canada Flintridge. LCF Begins CSCDA PACE Program Partnership. LCF Begins CSCDA PACE Program Partnership | City of La Cañada Flintridge. Accessed November 2025.
18 La Canada Flintridge. Sustainability and Resilience Commission. Applications Now Open for City of La Cañada Flintridge’s New Sustainability and Resilience Commission | City of La Cañada Flintridge. Accessed November 2025. 19 La Canada Flintridge. SolarApp+. SolarApp+ | City of La Cañada Flintridge. Accessed November 2025. 20 La Canada Flintridge. Climate Action and Adaptation Plan. 2024-ClimateActionAdaptationPlan.pdf. Accessed November 2025.

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SCENIC VISTAS
The City of La Cañada Flintridge is nestled between the San Rafael Hills to the south and the San Gabriel Mountains to the north, located at the eastern end of the Crescenta Valley. Residents can enjoy stunning mountain and hillside views, as well as vistas of the valley, including the Los Angeles Basin and the Arroyo Seco.

Both public and private vantage points offer amazing scenic resources to La Cañada Flintridge residents.

Public vantage points include notable locations such as the Interstate 210 (I-210) and State Route 2 (SR 2) freeways that traverse the City, Foothill Boulevard, Angeles Crest Highway (from I-210 north to the Angeles National Forest), and public recreational and open spaces like Cherry Canyon and numerous trails throughout the City. Private vantage points include views from residences, commercial buildings, and private clubs and facilities. Angeles Crest Highway (California SR 2)is designated an eligible corridor under the California Scenic Highway Program and offers scenic views of the surrounding hillsides, mountains, and the Angeles National Forest.

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La Cañada Flintridge City Council
August 4, 2026