Pioneer Square
At the San Dimas City Council meeting on December 10, 2019, the Council will review proposals from three developers for the vacant Bonita/Cataract lot.
Listen to this episode as I share about my personal experience with one of those developers, Creative Housing Associates, and their unique plan for Pioneer Square in downtown San Dimas.
Links for this episode:
Creative Housing Associates website
No Big Hotel website + podcast episode
San Dimas City Council Agenda for December 10, 2019
John Durden
I like the idea of Creative Housing Associates being the developers of kick starting this process of giving San Dimas’ downtown character. I have to admit, as well as the opinions of those who are kin, friend, and fellow resident, Downtown San Dimas sucks ass. It garners the same arrangement of store fronts and is afraid to really shine and make our City stand out in the SGV.
They (CHA) seem rather open to hearing what we want in the space provided on Cataract and Bonita. The types of things I would love to see on this development:
1. Single family homes (not mixed use properties). The idea of single use family homes should be encouraged and embraced. Mixed use properties just exacerbate the concept of Hyper Density/Agenda 21.
2. For this development, there NEEDS to be parking, can’t stress this enough. We don’t want to be a city that restricts parking. What are we, the City of Los Angeles?
3. We must preserve, protect, and defend the Western heritage of San Dimas. Realizing that change is inevitable, we must take into account that San Dimas is also in our hands and as such we can forge it in our vision and keep our respective identity and heritage alive.
4. It is crucial that the height of the buildings be capped around three stories. As Councilman Allawos of Glendora says, “keep our standards high, our buildings low.”
I will be attending the meeting tomorrow, I like I do most of the time.
Isabel in San Dimas
Thank you for your thoughtful comment, John. I really appreciate you taking the time to think through this proposal and give your specific feedback. The good thing is if CHA is selected, they will continue to make a point of engaging the community on the details of the proposal as they move forward. I look forward to seeing you at the meeting tonight! –Isabel
John Durden
So I heard the good news and the Council is going to green light the Pioneer Square development. Couple things that were mentioned on the podcast, that Railside and Twisted Sage would be opening additional places in the development. I think they should just move right in. It would be convenient to move were business will thrive. With the ideas of restaurants, I’m hoping to see different cuisines in the proposal, in particular Peruvian, Argentine, Creole, and if possible, Stuff I Eat (Vegan Soul Food) that was featured on CHA’s website (https://www.stuffieat.com/). Maybe a community garden since I’ve heard some people express that.
Isabel in San Dimas
All great ideas! I would love a community garden!!! If the deal ends up going through, CHA will be soliciting community feedback as they develop the property. Stay tuned here or via NoBigHotel.com to get email updates about upcoming community meetings, etc. –Isabel
Shawn
Sounds like the Creative Housing Associates has read Jane Jacob’s classic “Death and Life of Great American Cities”. This type of development has been the most successful for the last 10 to 20 years. Sounds like a good idea. You should be proud of your part getting this considered.
Isabel in San Dimas
Thanks so much, Shawn!
Maria
My first & most important issue was and is the two-story limit to keep with our downtown San Dimas height not to go beyond that including the western theme that is part of this towns’ heritage along with the orange groves history. Benches with back rest, if possible bringing back the Farmers Market to that area which will bring back economical benefits to all merchants in downtown San Dimas as before.
Isabel in San Dimas
Hi Maria, thank you for your comments! The City is currently in the process of moving forward with the Pioneer Square project by CHA. Per my conversations with the CHA team, they plan to keep the residents involved through community meetings as they solidify the details of the plan. I encourage you to share your feedback with the development team–I really believe they are willing to listen to the community. You can subscribe to emails here or via NoBigHotel.com to get updates about upcoming community meetings, etc. –Isabel
BJ Lamb
wow isabel & phil! such a lot of work! it shows a love for our city i have not seen in the 35+ years i have lived here. being from via verde i am not much of a downtown shopper but if we had shops, food, & music, etc i just might visit more often. i do agree with maria that i would like to see a 2 story limit on any buildings downtown. i hate what has happened to hollywood with their high rise buildings everywhere even where the old brown derby restaurant used to be. sad. sigh. you might even be able to get my friend chuck manning and the los angeles jazz quartet to play here sometime once it is opened. they have played at vroman’s in pasadena, the lighthouse, & at the claremont colleges. chuck has also played his jazz sax at carnegie hall & herb alpert’s vibrato jazz bar & grill with stevie wonder. bravo! keep up the good work! when are you going to run for mayor or city council?
Isabel in San Dimas
Thanks for the feedback, BJ! Is Chuck Manning local? That would be awesome to have him play! Stay tuned here on my podcast (or sign up for updates at NoBigHotel.com) to follow this issue. I am sure there will be community meetings in the future, as the developer is interested in getting feedback and incorporating residents’ ideas. Best, Isabel