Yes on Measure SP

When I joined the South Pasadena Chamber of Commerce board of directors two years ago, I was unfamiliar with terms like "Housing Element," "Downtown Specific Plan," or "Regional Housing Needs Assessment (RHNA)." Like many parents, my focus was on work, kids and school-related volunteer commitments.

Thankfully, the Chamber’s long-serving board members had been paying close attention to the city’s economic development and housing plans for years. At every monthly board meeting, one member would ask the deputy city manager about the city's Housing Element status, and I quickly understood why.

Without a certified Housing Element, South Pasadena is vulnerable to lawsuits and “builder’s remedy.” This allows developers to bypass our local zoning laws. Beverly Hills and La Cañada Flintridge provide cautionary tales of what can happen without a certified Housing Element.

After five attempts, the state of California conditionally approved South Pasadena’s Housing Element on July 29, 2024. This plan preserves our small-town charm by concentrating the mandated 2,000+ housing units in commercial corridors on Mission, Fair Oaks and Pasadena avenues and Huntington Drive. It also offers a roadmap for a revitalized downtown, replacing vacant lots and dilapidated buildings with new housing for residents who will eat, shop and pay taxes locally.

Measure SP isn’t a YES or NO on housing development. California no longer leaves that choice to cities. This is about where new housing will be built. We can plan the new housing along major thoroughfares that already have higher density and infrastructure and are close to transportation, shopping and services (Yes on SP) or spread the housing throughout the entire city and our neighborhoods (No on SP). 

Please join me in voting YES on Measure SP at the Nov. 5 General Election. Learn more at YesonMeasureSP.com.

Voters are invited to attend a special video screening on the measure with a Q&A from 2-4:30 p.m. on Sunday, Sept. 29, at the Library Community Room, 1115 El Centro Street.

Karie Reynolds, South Pasadena

Letter to the Editor, South Pasadena Review (September 27, 2024)

Vote Yes on Measure SP to Retain Local Control

For nearly 20 years, I have served as a South Pasadena city commissioner — first as a member of the Design Review Board and then as a member of the Planning Commission. I currently serve on the Cultural Heritage Commission. I have lived in South Pasadena since 1997. As a commissioner, I have been involved in multiple General Plans, Specific Plans and zoning changes. In my experience, the recent housing mandates from the state are the biggest planning challenge our city has ever faced.

The state of California is serious about increasing the supply of housing, especially affordable housing. It has mandated that cities remove any barriers to doing so. We are going to have to do our part.

Measure SP on the Nov. 5 General Election ballot is an attempt to do it our way. By saying “Yes” on Measure SP, the community retains local control. Thoughtful planning and the development of design guidelines have made this possible. We can increase the height limit in key areas that can best accommodate higher density and preserve the unique charm of our neighborhoods.

A “No” vote will leave us without a specific plan for density. We will be letting the state and developers decide where density will go.

Voters will be receiving ballots the week of Oct. 7. I urge you to join me in voting “Yes” on Measure SP, “South Pasadena Neighborhood Preservation, Local Control.”

Kris Morrish, South Pasadena

Letter to the Editor, South Pasadena Review (September 25, 2024)

A Pro Opinion for South Pasadena’s Measure SP

South Pasadena is a beautiful place with its tree-lined streets and views of the San Gabriel Mountains, down the San Fernando and San Gabriel valleys, and up the Arroyo Seco. More people should be able to afford those views.

By John D. Lesak

South Pasadena is a wonderful place for families. It has distinguished, diverse, nationally recognized schools that support a wide variety of students. I saw this in action after spending two years on the Monterey Hills Elementary School Site Council and four years representing the school district on the local plan area community advisory council. More families should be able to attend our schools.

South Pasadena has truly special neighborhood character. Its historic districts include a charming commercial corridor and neighborhoods featuring large estates, modest bungalows, and comfortable apartments. I spent 10 years as a Cultural Heritage Commissioner and six years as a Planning Commissioner working hard to conserve and enhance that character. I believe more people should be able to experience our neighborhoods.

South Pasadena has access to tens of thousands of great jobs. Not only are we a walkable City, but we are also a transit hub with easy access to the first freeway built west of the Mississippi and robust public transit like our Metro station and multiple bus routes. More workers need access to those jobs.

South Pasadena can accomplish multiple things at once. Due to the housing crisis, the city is required to plan for nearly 3,000 new housing units. We can build denser, more affordable housing AND preserve our neighborhood character. To do that, we need a 21st century set of flexible planning tools that responds to today’s rapidly changing conditions.

It is time to remove the rigid 45-foot height limit established more than 40 years ago and replace it with a zoning code that allows for more height and density in parts of the city that can accommodate it. This is the proposal of Measure SP on the Nov. 5, 2024, General Election ballot. We need a zoning-code height limit based on data, technical study and public process: a code that can be more easily changed as information and priorities change.

South Pasadena needs to be part of a housing solution, and Measure SP makes that easier. I urge you to vote YES on Measure SP.

John D. Lesak is an architect living in South Pasadena

(Guest Opinion Column, ColoradoBlvd.net, September 17, 2024)

Measure SP on South Pasadena November Ballot

Have you heard? Measure SP will be on South Pasadena’s Nov. 5 General Election ballot. The measure aims to implement a sound plan to preserve most of our neighborhoods and maintain local control over community growth.

California requires every city to develop a plan for expanding housing to ensure that our elders, neighbors, friends and children have housing. South Pasadena’s responsibility is to design a plan that will accommodate over 2,000 units.

How can this be accomplished while preserving the quaintness of our community?

This has been achieved through the five-year efforts of city staff, the Planning Commission, residents and the City Council. I thank them for developing this thoughtful plan. The result is the city’s Housing Element, the city’s eight-year housing guideline that was certified by the state in July. It proposes that additional housing be planned in areas that already have the infrastructure to support growth. To implement the plan, voters must rescind an existing 45-feet height limit on new building construction along major thoroughfares. This is what Measure SP is all about.

I am an almost 30-year South Pasadena resident and my two children attended Marengo, SPMS and SPHS. For 11 years, I was the principal of Monterey Hills Elementary School. I ask you, my neighbors, to act by voting Yes on Measure SP — “South Pasadena Neighborhood Preservation, Local Control” — to ensure everyone’s human right for housing while preserving South Pasadena’s character.

For more information, visit southpasadenaca.gov/ballotmeasure and the Yes on SP website at YesOnMeasureSP.com.

Laurie Narro, South Pasadena

(Letter to the Editor, South Pasadena Review, Friday, September 13, 2024)

Measure SP Will Preserve Existing Neighborhoods

Measure SP will appear on the South Pasadena ballot in the Nov. 5 general election. It concerns an existing 45-foot height limit for new developments.

Due to the state housing crisis, all cities are required to plan for additional housing. South Pasadena, due to its proximity to transit and other factors, must plan for nearly 3,000 new units. Measure SP asks to remove the 45-foot height limit on major thoroughfares to allow for more dense development.

If approved, Measure SP will allow increased density along Mission Street, Fair Oaks Avenue, Huntington Drive and at The Ostrich Farm. These areas are served by transit and are close to shopping and services. Affordable housing will be increased. The measure will preserve existing neighborhoods.

If Measure SP fails, the city must look to redistributing the units throughout the city. It’s either go up or out in planning for new units. Other consequences will prove extremely challenging for the city.

Join me in voting “Yes” on Measure SP on the Nov. 5, 2024, General Election ballot.

More information can be found at southpasadenaca.gov/ballotmeasure.

Sally Kilby, South Pasadena

(Letter to the Editor, South Pasadena Review, Friday, September 6, 2024)

Measure SP Would Give City Needed Flexibility

After 10 years as a Cultural Heritage commissioner and six years as a Planning commissioner, I know that South Pasadena can accomplish many things at once. We can build denser, more affordable housing AND preserve our neighborhood character. To do that, we need a 21st century set of flexible planning tools that responds to today’s rapidly changing conditions. It is time to remove the rigid, voter-imposed 45-foot height limit set 40 years ago in favor of a zoning code that allows for more height and density in parts of the city that can accommodate it. This is what Measure SP proposes — a zoning code height limit based on data, technical study and public process. A code that can be more easily changed as information and priorities change.

California is in the midst of a housing crisis. South Pasadena needs to be part of a housing solution, and Measure SP makes that easier. I urge you to vote YES on Measure SP (South Pasadena Neighborhood Preservation & Local Control) on the Nov. 5 general election ballot.

John D. Lesak, AIA, FAPT, LEED-A, South Pasadena

(Letter to the Editor, South Pasadena Review, Friday, August 30, 2024)

Measure SP is ‘Smart’ Decision for the City

My family has been in South Pasadena since the early 1950s. We have been actively involved in civic life and the business community. I am in support of smart growth and energizing South Pasadena for the future.

I want to look forward, not back to the past. Some growth will hopefully revitalize several areas in the city. I support housing in a smart way and zoning for residential units in specific parts of the city close to transit, shopping and services.

I support voting “Yes” on Measure SP (South Pasadena Neighborhood Preservation & Local Control) in the November election.

This will allow South Pasadena to fulfill the state mandate to add housing in a way that is most compatible with the character of the city.

Please join me in voting “Yes” on Measure SP after you receive the Nov. 5 general election ballot booklet in the mail in October.

Bianca Richards, South Pasadena

(Letter to the Editor, South Pasadena Review, Friday, August 23, 2024)