Dear Members of City Council.
I am Trist Rauh, a junior at Sequoyah School, located on Orange Grove Boulevard. I have lived in Pasadena since 2020, specifically in District 4, and I believe that I understand the community(s) that I am surrounded by. The main request I have is to consider the economic viability of multi-level mixed-use development via a first-floor commercial space, and however many upper stories are available to be designated for residential spaces.
I've reviewed the February draft of the Reconnecting Pasadena 710 Vision Plan and considered how the area of the stub will be designated. To the east, on Colorado 8c other streets, lies Old Town Pasadena, which is designated as having low to medium-sized mixed-use spaces. I return to my request from above regarding the use of multi-level buildings to bring more business opportunities and residential development to the area. Some examples of commercial areas of varying sizes that come to mind are photos in the book Soft City: Building Density for Everyday Life by David Sim. From pages 56 to 59, the book describes different types of spacing for commercial areas, from what it describes as XS all the way up to XXL; this is also supported by photos that it shows as examples.
For XS, it shows a photo of a cart on the edge of a building in Belgrade, Serbia, where a man is sitting next to it and is selling jewelry.
Thank you for your time and service to the community of the City of Pasadena, but also to this more local community surrounding the Stub.
Sincerely,
Trist Rauh
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3/30/2026
ltem3
McMillan, Acquanette (Netta)
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John Fauvre
Saturday, March 28, 2026 6:42 AM
PublicComment-AutoResponse
Freeway removal; City Council
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Greetings:
The pending study and report are impressive and daunting. We must go forward on the program to stop the 710 Freeway undertaken some 60 years ago. Yet still we wonder, how long to an ending, and what price. Can you give best estimates? A long time at a high cost for construction to be recovered over decades. How should we prepare and sustain our expectations?
Regards,
John Fauvre
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1 3/30/2026
ltem3
McMillan, Acquanette (Netta)
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Myrtle Sorenson
Sunday, March 29, 2026 5:27 PM
PublicComment-AutoResponse
Restorative justice re 710 freeway
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I am reaching out to you as a victim of the 710 freeway debacle. I am asking you to consider those of us who remain alive that were directly impacted ! After decades, our parents who were the direct owners of homes and businesses are gone.
We their children whose lives , homes, and community were directly affected, are now elders with children, grandchildren, and some with great grandchildren are the only living survivors. Many of whom are no longer with us. It is likely that our children grandchildren, and in some cases, great grandchildren will be the ones who will benefit from whatever restitution the city chooses to bestow upon those families descendants that were affected. The sad thing is those persons will reap the benefits from a home, a way of life, and a unique community that they cannot even fathom what it was like to experience and then lose! Therefore I ask, that if there is a monetary compensation in the plan; that it should be expeditiously awarded to those of us who are still alive. Our heirs will benefit in the decade(s) to come.
Thank you, Myrtle M. Sinclair Sorenson
1 3/30/2026
ltem3
McMillan, Acquanette (Netta)
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Martinez, Ruben
Sunday, March 29, 2026 6:07 PM
City_Clerk
Fw: 710restorativejustice elements
Hi,
Please the correspondence below.
Regards,
Ruben Martinez
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.com> From: gilbert walton
Sent: Sunday, March 29, 2026 1:51:36 PM
To: Martinez, Ruben <[email protected]>
Subject: 710restorativejustice elements
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Sent from my iPhone My name is Bernadette Vaughn-Farley. My family, (Leslie Vaughn, Geneva Vaughn, Linda Vaughn-Eaves and Andre Vaughn) were residents of Pasadena and we lived at 1588 Forest Ave. (on the corner of Forest and Howard). I left Pasadena 34 yrs. ago (both my parents and brother are deceased), and now I live in Maryland.
My family and several neighbors Lived in the 710/21 0 partial and completed construction areas.As a result of this placement, my childhood home was directly impacted by eminent domain which displaced my family and I from our 1588 Forest address, not to mention many of our friends and neighbors on Howard and Channing Way. This event was particularly devastating to my family because my father had remodeled and enlarged the Forest home to accommodate ourfamily. hlowever, when the home was taken by the 710/210 project, my familywas not fully compensated. To remain in Pasadena, so that my brother and I could attend parochial school, my parents were unable to purchase a comparable sized home with the proceeds from the Forest home. The subsequent home purchased, was must smaller. We will never know how much equity was lost.
I have recently learned of the efforts of Pasadena to do some form of restorative justice for those who were displaced and hopefully you will consider my family among those who were also displaced by Parsons, ambassador auditorium, Kings Village, red lining, and 1 03/30/2026
Item 3
other policies which disadvantage people of colo. Many of whom, reluctantly, left Pasadena because it became unaffordable. Needless to say, after all these years, many of the original affected residents are deceased - but some like me, are still alive. I would Like to see the City of Pasadena do something to right the unfair and unequal treatment that was done to my family, neighbors and other people of color so many years ago.
I am writing in support of the passage of the 10 elements of restorative justice which I think would make Pasadena a more diverse and equitable city than it has ever been in the past.
Although I no longer live in Pasadena, it will always be my home in my heart.
Respectfully,
Bernadette
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CITY CL£RK
& COMMUNITY. CITY OF PASADENAPLANNING
DEVELOPMENT DEPARTMENT
CULTURAL AFFAIRS DIVISION
Honorable Mayor Gordo and City Councilmembers,
The Arts & Culture Commission supports and encourages the Council to take into full consideration the Advisory Group's goals for public art and community building in the 710 Corridor. The presence of public art, art venues, and resources for artists are inexorably linked to the communities and neighborhoods in which they exist. The vitality of the arts is a reflection of how a community defines itself.
The 710-Corridor will provide one of the largest opportunities for new public art in the City's history. Bordering and connecting the Downtown Old Pasadena Redevelopment areas and the Northwest Community Plan Area, both of which result in separate qualifications for private development public art and the allocation of funds, particular attention should be given to the potential establishment of distinct criteria for the 710-Corridor as well. These criteria will fundamentally shape the scope and scale for private development public art in this new space and should be the subject of discussion and careful decision making.
With the multitudes of paths that will be presented in the coming years and decades as this massive undertaking progresses, the significance of art and culture as part of the conversation cannot be understated. A unique opportunity is present for the growth and development of a community with an intentional foundation to support and foster art and artists.
The designation of art-specific spaces, in the form of live-work units, artistic venues, and appropriate resources to support these areas will be of paramount importance to ensure these aims are not eclipsed in an ocean of priorities and interests.
The City should, in moving forward with this report from the Advisory Group, fully and explicitly commit to the presence of public art and resources for artists and arts organizations as this project advances through the planning and development process. The artistic and cultural character for the future must be given the appropriate framework and resources to develop and thrive organically as the space grows from a blueprint to real neighborhoods with a diversity and vibrancy and for Pasadena to cement itself as a center of the universe for arts & culture.
City of Pasadena Arts & Culture Commission
-"°•
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Ga,briet''Lizardo, Chair
X-rts & Culture Commission
Cc: DannyParker, Chair, Reconnecting Communities 710 Advisory Group Brenda Harvey-Williams, Assistant City Manager
175 North Garfield Avenue • Pasadena, CA 91101-1704
(626) 744-7062
www.cityofpasaaena.net/arts
3/30/2026
ltem3
McMillan, Acquanette (Netta)
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Paul Little
Monday, March 30, 2026 8:58 AM
PublicComment-AutoResponse
Rivas, Jessica; Paul Little; Gordo, Victor; Jones, Justin; Hampton, Tyron; Madison, Steve; Jomsky, Mark; Masuda, Gene; Marquez, Miguel; Rick Cole
710 Reconnecting Workshop
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Hello.
The gaping hole that is the 710 Freeway space in Pasadena presents a once-in-a-Lifetime opportunity to reshape our community for generations to come.
This is a unique chance to provide housing, economic opportunity and jobs, recreation and much more.
There may be opportunities to reconnect Colorado Boulevard and Green Street with commercial development that could grow Old Pasadena's attraction for visitors. (Planning and development costs that would be borne by developers adding tax revenues for the City-along with air rights sales for parcels developed.) There is also plenty of space below for the development of commercial office, R&D and more in architecturally amazing buildings.
Likewise, housing development can utilize the finest architects and designers to create truly amazing living spaces at all price levels for all income levels.
It is also a chance to do something creative and extraordinary with public space. Think about what the htigh Line did for Manhattan, the "Bean" in Grant Park in Chicago, Park Guell in Barcelona and Turia Gardens in Valencia (both in Spain), Central District Park in Shenzhen, China and many more.
Allow creativity and imagination to drive design of public spaces as both artistic expression and public space.
Reuse and innovation can create amazing spaces that attract visitors and enhance the reputation of Pasadena as a forward thinking and creative community.
Reuse of the 710 space can accommodate many uses and needs and be creative, innovative and extraordinary at the same time.
I urge you, whatever uses you decide are appropriate, to also allow for the amazing.
Thankyou for your service to Pasadena and your constituents.
Paul Little
President and Chief Executive Office
Pasadena Chamber of Commerce and Civic Association
103/30/2026
Item 3
McMillan, Acquanette (Netta)
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Claudia Funke
Monday, March 30, 2026 10:03 AM
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Lyon,Jason
Public Comment/Agenda Item 3 CONSIDERATION OF RECONNECTING PASADENA 710 VISION PLAN FOR THE RELINQUISHED 710 STUB PROPERTY
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Dear Mayor Gordo and Council Members,
The redevelopment of the 710 Freeway stub offers an extraordinary opportunity for the city of Pasadena. I write to address the opportunity in terms of the city's energy needs.
Pasadena has become a leader in energy policy with Resolution 9977 and the adoption of the Optimized Strategic Plan to realize the 100% carbon-free goal by 2030.
Pasadena could further enhance this status and the city's energy security by designing the 710 Stub redevelopment to be a plus-energy development, that is, a development that generates more renewable energy than it uses, providing energy to the larger grid.
I recently spent three weeks in Freiburg im Breisgau, Germany's greenest city. It has a city district, Vauban, that was designed to have many plus-energy buildings. Now the city, which has a severe housing shortage, is developing a whole new district, Dietenbach, which will be a plus-energy district, with 6,900 apartments for 15,000 people.
The current oil and gas crisis and the looming energy needs of Al indicate how prudent it would be to design the 710 redevelopment as plus-energy. It would provide for greater energy security and could help to control electricity rates.
Pasadena is exceptional in so many ways, the plus-energy redevelopment of the 710 stub should be among them.
Respectfully,
Claudia Funke
Voting resident. District?, and member, PASADENA100
1 3/30/2026
ltem3
McMillan, Acquanette (Netta)
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< Emily Eelkema Stough
Monday, March 30, 2026 1 1:05 AM
PublicComment-AutoResponse
Public comment re: 710 stub, traffic and environmental concern Some people who received this message don't often get email fromearn why this is impQrtant [ 1; ] CAUTION: This email was delivered from the Internet. Do not click links or open attachments unless you /mow the content is safe. Report phish using the Phish Alert Button. For more information about the Phish Alert Button view article "KB0011474" on the DolT portal.
Hello,
Whatever we decide to do with the 710 stub area, a full environmental study must be conducted, even if we suspect there will be minimum impact. Pasadena has a duty to it's residents to protect and care for our natural resources, and keep Pasadena as beautiful as it is now.
I am particularly concerned with the development of housing units in the 710 area. The area is already has extremely congested traffic. One of my children attends Blair High School, and the morning commute from 91104 is 25+ minutes, with a lot of crowded roads. Pedestrian safety is also a top concern.
I am requesting, for any plans proposed:
1. Conduct a full Caltrans traffic simulation study and release the results to the public. Caltrans provides professional-grade modeling software to cities at no cost. Residents deserve to see how the 710-stub plan will affect traffic on their streets.
2. Perform a complete CEQU environmental review and release the results to the public. This is a large scale project proposal, and we need to know how it will affect our community.
My preference would be to limit residential space and traffic; perhaps keeping the area as a nature reserve that will not increase traffic or trash in the area.
Thank you,
Emily Stough
91104
1 3/30/2026
ltem3
McMillan, Acquanette (Netta)
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Monday, March 30, 2026 12:47 PM
PublicComment-AutoResponse
Item #3 and Reparations for those displaced by 710 Stub [I ] CAUTION: This email was delivered from the Internet. Do not click links or open attachments unless you know the content is safe. Report phish using the Phish Alert Button. For more information about the Phish Alert Button view article "KB0011474" on the DolT portal.
Dear Mayor and City Council members,
We at MHCH support the historic efforts of the RestorativeJiJst! _Coairtron_to ensure that those displaced or impacted by the 710 stub are treated equitably. While the Trump regime is trying to delete people of color from history and dismiss past injustices and current wrongs committed against them, our city is acknowledging our racist past and considering reparations for those who have treated unfairly.
We can set a shining example for the rest of the country if we do the right thing.
For this reason, we urge you to support:
•
Reparations that leads to homeownership for the displaced and/or their descendants.
Change to the city's affordable housing priority policy to give first priority to those displaced households and/or their descendants.
This includes, but is not limited to, areas affected by the 210 and 710 freeways, the Pepper Street Project, Parsons, and Ambassador College.
A dedicated complex (also known as a makerspace) for displaced business owners and BIPOC entrepreneurship.
An immersive, multi-cultural museum that tells the story of displacement and disenfranchisement in the Pasadena /Altadena area.
An increase of local hires + recruitment of developers that have been historically excluded.
Increase local hire for development of the 710 Stub area from the current policy of 25% to 40% of the certified payroll, and from 15% to 40% of local subcontracting and procurement.
Free tuition to educational /vocational colleges for descendants of the displaced.
An apology and recognition of harm from the Mayor on behalf of the City of Pasadena. 103/30/2026
Item 3
The establishment of a Reparations Oversight Committee to ensure policies are enforced. This Reparations Oversight Committee would include representation of at least 70% from the affected group to ensure policies are enforced.
The establishment of a Community Benefits Agreement (CBA) ensuring that residents benefit from the redevelopment plan.
Thanks for considering these recommendations that will repair the damage that the 710 and 210 stub did to our community.
Anthony Manousos
Co-founder of Making Housing and Community Happen
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RECEIVED
MEMORANDUM
Pasadena Environmental Advisory Commission
January 13,2026 CfTY CLERK
Honorable Mayor and Members of the Pasadena Cj^^¥&U^1lpASADENA Environmental Advisory Commission Input on the Reconnecting Communities 710 Vision Plan
Dear Mayor and City Councilmembers,
The Environmental Advisory Commission (EAC) appreciates the opportunity to review and comment on the Reconnecting Communities 710 Vision Plan. We commend City staff and consultants for a thoughtful, forward-looking framework that aligns with Pasadena's Climate Action Plan and the City's legacy of environmental leadership.
The Vision Plan reflects strong planning principles, with a clear focus on sustainabiLity, climate resilience, public health, and restorative justice. The EAC is particularly encouraged by the emphasis on district-scale water and energy systems, integration of passive design strategies, and the potential to transform the 71 0 Stub into a model 21 st- century sustainable community.
To strengthen implementation and ensure measurable outcomes, the EAC offers the following recommendations for City Council consideration:
1. Make Water a Defining Civic and Environmental Feature Water-centered design can distinguish the 710 area as a climate-adaptive district (rather than a conventional mixed-use development) while strengthening long-term water resilience. The EAC strongly supports elevating water as both a functional and symbolic centerpiece by:
Expanding district-level greywater reuse, stormwater capture, and infiltration for parks, boulevards, and open space.
Using water features for cooling, habitat, and public education—not just aesthetics.
Maximizing groundwater recharge to the Raymond Basin Aquifer where feasible, such as through stormwater capture, infiltration, and permeable Landscape design.
Incorporating visible, interpretive "living laboratory" elements to showcase climate- resilient water systems.
•
•
2. Advance an Innovation Incubator and Workforce Development 03/30/2026
Item 3
The 710 Stub presents a strategic opportunity to retain and attract talent from and build partnership with Caltech, JPL, ArtCenter, hluntington hlospital, and Pasadena's growing biotech sector. To ensure sustainability investments deliver community benefits, including fostering the development of technological startup, the EAC recommends:
Creating incubator/innovation spaces with enhanced power, loading access, and technical capacity.
Establishing workforce pathways for Pasadena residents in clean energy, water systems, green infrastructure, and high-performance buildings both during construction and during operations.
3. Require Green Infrastructure as Core Climate, Health, and Mobility Infrastructure
Green infrastructure must be treated as essential public infrastructure on par with streets, utilities, and buildings; not as an optional amenity. Given rising temperatures, air quality concerns, and public health risks, the 710 corridor should set a clear standard for heat resilience and active transportation.
The EAC recommends that the Vision Plan:
•Establish a measurable UrbanTree Canopy target for the corridorand require it to be achieved early in project phasing, with long-term maintenance commitments.
Prioritize continuous, shaded green networks that connect housing, transit, schools, and public spaces, ensuring shade coverage along alt primary pedestrian and bicycle routes.
Mandate heat-mitigation strategies, including high-albedo and permeable surfaces, extensive tree canopy, and layered landscaping to significantly reduce surface and ambient temperatures.
Integrate green infrastructure to improve air quality, reduce noise, and support biodiversity, particularly along freeway-adjacent edges and high-exposure areas.
Design walking and hiking routes as safe, shaded, and universally accessible, making active transportation viable year-round and reducing dependence on automobiles.
By embedding green infrastructure requirements into zoning, design standards, and project approvals, the 710 Stub can function as a climate-resiLient corridor that protects public health, supports mobility, and sets a new benchmark for urban redevelopment in Pasadena.
4. Commit to Net-Zero Energy with Site-Specific Innovation •
Consistent with Climate Resolution 9977, the EAC recommends a Net-Zero Energy goal for the 710 Stub, supported by innovative, site-responsive strategies:
A firm commitment to no new natural gas infrastructure.
District-scale battery storage and microgrids to support renewable energy and for climate resilience during outages.
Exploration of geothermal or thermal energy systems that leverage the site's unique topography.
Greater specificity regarding solar capacity, locations, and phasing to allow transparent evaluation of benefits and impacts.
•
5. Strengthen Air Quality, Noise, and Public Health Protections To center health and well-being, the EAC recommends adopting WELL v2 Certification at a minimum Silver Level. (WELL prioritizes high indoor air quality, noise augmentation, community, light and building performance standards for energy, waste and water.) Additional recommended actions include:
Clear targets and monitoring for air pollution and freeway-related noise reduction including through high-performance building envelopes, vegetation buffers, and indoor air quality strategies.
Dedicated organic waste, recycling, and compostingfacilities, including a site-wide compost hub.
Data-driven metrics to track environmental and public-health outcomes overtime. •
6. Enforce Implementation, Accountability, and Long-Term Performance Pasadena's leadership in planning must be matched by enforceable implementation.
Without clear accountability, even strong sustainability goals risk being diluted overtime.
The EAC urges the City Council to ensure the Vision Plan functions as a binding framework, not a conceptual guide.
The EAC recommends that the City:
Codify sustainability commitments including net-zero energy, water reuse, tree canopy, and green infrastructure into RFPs, zoning standards, development agreements, and design guidelines.
Establish cleartimelines, interim milestones, and performance thresholds tied to project phasing and approvals.
Require annual public reporting on progress toward climate, health, and equity outcomes, with updates to the Environmental Advisory Commission and City Council.
Assign departmental ownership and accountability for each major sustainability objective to prevent gaps between planning and delivery.
Identify and fund early, high-impact implementation actions to demonstrate feasibility and build public confidence.
Conclusion
The EAC views the Reconnecting Communities 710 Vision Plan as a pivotal opportunity for Pasadena to lead by example. By leveraging the site's topography and water systems, committing to net-zero energy, and fostering innovation and workforce development, the 710 corridor can become a national model for climate-forward redevelopment, advancing both environmental resilience and economic vitality.
Respectfully submitted,
Environmental Advisory Commission
City of Pasadena
McMillan, Acquanette (Netta)
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p brown
Monday, March 30, 2026 4:08 PM
PublicComment-AutoResponse
COMMENT - 3/30 City Council Mtg: AGENDA ITEM 3 (710 Plan) - SUPPORT w/
AMENDMENT
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Dear Mayor Gordo, Vice Mayor Rivas and Council Members,
1. I write in SUPPORT of the Staff Recommendations regarding the SR710 Plan, with ONE AMENDMENT and several comments.
2. FLEXIBILITY ON CARBON NEUTRALITY: While Carbon Neutrality is a very worthy goal, the overall priority should be to build out housing as soon as possible, regardless of whether the overall project is Carbon Neutral or not.
Given the lack of affordable housing in Pasadena and LA County, and the fact that additional housing at all price levels would possibly bring new residents to Pasadena, augmenting our tax base, and possibly relieve pressure on existing rents, we need to keep MORE hlOUSING ASAP as the overall objective, not complete carbon neutrality. Let's not make perfect the enemy of the good enough.
I would respectfully ask that you consider waiving the goal of carbon neutrality if it gets more housing built sooner as part of this project.
3. CONSIDER PUBLIC FACILITY AMENITIES: I hope the project can possibly include new amenities for residents in the wider area, including a new branch library and a recreation /fitness / aquatic center. These would be an excellent legacy for the Council and a fitting, living memorial to the people whose homes were sacrificed for the 710. Perhaps those amenities can be in exchange for greater flexibility for developers.
4. CONNECTIONS TO TRANSIT: As part of the project, perhaps one lane of Del Mar between the project and Fair Oaks could be sacrificed as a road calming measure, and replaced by a wider sidewalk or bike lane on the north side as a ped / bike connector to the Del Mar A Line station.
5. YES TO DENSITY: Finally, I would also favor as much density as possible for new housing, while respecting the transition to the lower rise nature of the southern part of the project area. Again, the goal is more housing.
I am a resident of District 6, about seven blocks from the SR710 trench.
Thank you for your consideration,
P.A. Brown
District 61
3/30/2026
Item 3