Neighborhood Preservation
In my role as Planning Commissioner for the past five years, I’ve frequently dealt with questions of neighborhood preservation. My position has always been, and as a city council member will remain, that new development should complement and preserve the quality of existing neighborhoods.
Example: Henry Mayo Newhall Memorial Hospital Expansion Development Agreement. This was essentially a contract between the city and property owners. It restricted the ability of the city to modify the project, if needed to protect the surrounding neighborhood. Over the course of this 25 year plan, things can change: new developments spring up, traffic patterns change. This agreement would have given the builders carte blanche to continue to full build-out without any further restrictions by the city council. This could devastate the surronding neighborhood. I led the successful Planning Commission fight against this Agreement and had it removed with a unanimous vote.
Another example: The Casden project proposed in the Placerita Canyon Special Standards District. I’ve already expressed my concerns about the dense proposal currently on the table and asked for a reduced alternative that preserves the area.
As a city council member I will continue the fight to cut that project down to a size appropriate for that location.
I oppose Eminent Domain to seize property for private uses in redevelopment areas. Redevelopment agencies should develop plans that are complimentary to existing neighborhoods — plans that protect the integrity of the neighborhood and property values for the surrounding property owners.
I hope this answers your question. If you would like to discuss this further, please call me at (661) 310-3654.
Diane Trautman
